LAC
Los Angeles Chargers
84.0PFM Team Score#11 NFL
Los Angeles Chargers vs. Denver Broncos: PFM Team Comparison
PFM rates the Denver Broncos higher than the Los Angeles Chargers overall, with a slight advantage. The main reasons are the stronger defense and the clearer long-term football direction.
Current PFM Team Scores
Slight edgeDEN
Denver Broncos
84.7PFM Team Score#10 NFL
PFM JUDGMENT
Why PFM Rates the Denver Broncos Higher
The Denver Broncos have the more dependable defense. It does not need the offense to answer every possession to keep control of a game. Los Angeles' strongest counterargument is QB Stability. The Los Angeles Chargers ask fewer questions at quarterback because Justin Herbert sets the floor of the offense. That stability matters when a game moves away from the opening script.
Denver also brings the clearer long-term football direction. That is enough to keep the Denver Broncos ahead.
TEAM DNA COMPARISON
Los Angeles vs. Denver Across the Core Pillars
The farther a team reaches, the stronger the rating. Each category also calls out which team has the edge and the exact gap. Hover on desktop or tap on mobile to isolate one team.
LACLos Angeles Chargers
DENDenver Broncos
THE COUNTERARGUMENT
Los Angeles Chargers’ Best Argument
Quarterback is the clearest separator. Justin Herbert gives Los Angeles more certainty than the Denver Broncos have at the position. That is why the overall gap is smaller than the score first suggests. Denver still answers with the stronger defense and the clearer long-term football direction, which keeps the overall judgment in place.
COMPLETE COMPARISON
Where Each Team Has the Edge
PFM Team Score
LAC84.0
Los Angeles Chargers 84.0DEN84.7
Denver Broncos 84.7Overall NFL Rank
LAC#11
Los Angeles Chargers #11DEN#10
Denver Broncos #10QB Stability
LAC86.1
Los Angeles Chargers 86.1DEN82.3
Denver Broncos 82.3Roster Strength
LAC79.5
Los Angeles Chargers 79.5DEN80.8
Denver Broncos 80.8Coaching Direction
LAC85.6
Los Angeles Chargers 85.6DEN85.0
Denver Broncos 85.0Recent Performance
LAC79.5
Los Angeles Chargers 79.5DEN85.9
Denver Broncos 85.9Offense
LAC82.4
Los Angeles Chargers 82.4DEN81.2
Denver Broncos 81.2Defense
LAC82.3
Los Angeles Chargers 82.3DEN84.6
Denver Broncos 84.6Franchise Direction
LAC76.3
Los Angeles Chargers 76.3DEN78.4
Denver Broncos 78.4Explosiveness
LAC75.3
Los Angeles Chargers 75.3DEN74.8
Denver Broncos 74.8Conference Rank
LAC#6
Los Angeles Chargers #6DEN#5
Denver Broncos #5Division Rank
LAC#3
Los Angeles Chargers #3DEN#2
Denver Broncos #2Outlook
LACPlayoff ContenderDENPlayoff Contender
Same outlookTEAM CONSTRUCTION
How These Teams Are Built Differently
Los Angeles Chargers
- Strongest Rating
- QB Stability
- Category Edge
- QB Stability
- Biggest Matchup Concern
- Defense
Los Angeles' clearest category edge is QB Stability. Justin Herbert gives the Los Angeles Chargers the steadier quarterback room against the Denver Broncos. That lets the offense stay on schedule without asking the rest of the team to cover constant uncertainty. The biggest problem in this matchup is Defense, where Denver owns the clearer advantage.
Denver Broncos
- Strongest Rating
- Coaching Direction
- Category Edge
- Defense
- Biggest Matchup Concern
- QB Stability
Denver's clearest category edge is Defense. The Broncos can lean on their defense more than the Chargers can. That creates a better floor when the offense stalls or field position turns against the team. The biggest problem in this matchup is QB Stability, where Los Angeles owns the clearer advantage.
SCHEDULE CONTEXT
Which Team Has the Tougher Road?
Los Angeles Chargers
Full schedule rank: #2
Toughest stretch: Seattle Seahawks, Denver Broncos, Kansas City Chiefs
Strongest opponents: Seattle Seahawks, Los Angeles Rams, Kansas City Chiefs
View Los Angeles Chargers Road AheadDenver Broncos
Full schedule rank: #9
Toughest stretch: San Francisco 49ers, Los Angeles Chargers, Seattle Seahawks
Strongest opponents: Seattle Seahawks, Los Angeles Rams, Kansas City Chiefs
View Denver Broncos Road AheadLos Angeles has the tougher Road Ahead at No. 2. The strongest opponents include Seattle Seahawks, Los Angeles Rams, and Kansas City Chiefs. Denver also has the more favorable road, which adds to the stronger defense and the clearer long-term football direction.
Explore Both Team Dashboards
Ratings and Schedule Freshness
PFM ratings updated July 24, 2026. Schedule data updated June 29, 2026.
How to Read This Comparison
PFM Team Score determines the overall order. The Team DNA comparison puts five core pillars on the same 0–100 scale, while the full rows show every current category.
PFM compares overall team strength rather than predicting one matchup. Road Ahead adds schedule context without changing PFM Team Score.