Slight edgeDEN
Denver Broncos
81.7PFM Team Score#10 NFL
VS
Denver Broncos vs. Los Angeles Chargers: PFM Team Comparison
The Denver Broncos hold a slight overall advantage over the Los Angeles Chargers in the current PFM ratings. Denver separates itself through the deeper roster.
Current PFM Team Scores
LAC
Los Angeles Chargers
79.8PFM Team Score#14 NFL
WEEK 5 MATCHUP
Sunday, Oct. 11 4:05 PM ET
View on NFL Schedule PFM JUDGMENT
Why PFM Rates the Denver Broncos Higher
The Denver Broncos are stronger across the supporting lineup. Los Angeles needs more of its best players to cover the thinner parts of the roster. Los Angeles' strongest counterargument is Explosiveness. Los Angeles' Explosiveness concern is smaller than Denver's, but the grade remains below the strength range.
Denver still holds the overall PFM Team Score lead by 1.9 points. The Denver Broncos still deserves the higher PFM rating.
TEAM DNA COMPARISON
Denver vs. Los Angeles 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.
DENDenver Broncos
LACLos Angeles Chargers
THE COUNTERARGUMENT
Los Angeles Chargers’ Best Argument
Explosiveness is a concern for both teams, but the Los Angeles Chargers have the smaller problem. The explosiveness advantage is a real point in Los Angeles' favor, but it does not outweigh the rest of the higher-rated team’s advantages. The problem for Los Angeles is that Denver counters with the deeper roster.
COMPLETE COMPARISON
Where Each Team Has the Edge
PFM Team Score
DEN81.7
Denver Broncos 81.7LAC79.8
Los Angeles Chargers 79.8Overall NFL Rank
DEN#10
Denver Broncos #10LAC#14
Los Angeles Chargers #14QB Stability
DEN82.4
Denver Broncos 82.4LAC84.8
Los Angeles Chargers 84.8Roster Strength
DEN80.5
Denver Broncos 80.5LAC77.8
Los Angeles Chargers 77.8Coaching Direction
DEN85.0
Denver Broncos 85.0LAC85.1
Los Angeles Chargers 85.1Recent Performance
DEN78.2
Denver Broncos 78.2LAC68.3
Los Angeles Chargers 68.3Offense
DEN78.2
Denver Broncos 78.2LAC80.6
Los Angeles Chargers 80.6Defense
DEN81.1
Denver Broncos 81.1LAC80.7
Los Angeles Chargers 80.7Franchise Direction
DEN78.2
Denver Broncos 78.2LAC76.3
Los Angeles Chargers 76.3Explosiveness
DEN69.4
Denver Broncos 69.4LAC77.0
Los Angeles Chargers 77.0Conference Rank
DEN#5
Denver Broncos #5LAC#8
Los Angeles Chargers #8Division Rank
DEN#2
Denver Broncos #2LAC#3
Los Angeles Chargers #3Outlook
DENPlayoff ContenderLACIn the Playoff Mix
Stronger outlook: Denver BroncosSCHEDULE CONTEXT
Which Team Has the Tougher Road?
Denver Broncos
Remaining schedule rank: #18
Toughest stretch: Seattle Seahawks, Arizona Cardinals, Kansas City Chiefs
Strongest opponents: Kansas City Chiefs, Seattle Seahawks, Buffalo Bills
Next five difficulty: 81.6
View Denver Broncos Road AheadLos Angeles Chargers
Remaining schedule rank: #3
Toughest stretch: Denver Broncos, Kansas City Chiefs, Los Angeles Rams
Strongest opponents: Kansas City Chiefs, San Francisco 49ers, Los Angeles Rams
Next five difficulty: 84.0
View Los Angeles Chargers Road AheadLos Angeles has the tougher Road Ahead at No. 3. The strongest opponents include Kansas City Chiefs, San Francisco 49ers, and Los Angeles Rams. Denver also has the more favorable road, which adds to the deeper roster.
Explore Both Team Dashboards
Ratings and Schedule Freshness
PFM ratings updated October 6, 2026. Schedule data updated October 6, 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.
PFM ratings updated
How PFM grades NFL teams