Why it’ll be time to hit the panic button if the Broncos lose to the Chargers

Writer Lou Scataglia argues that the Denver Broncos face an absolute must-win situation against the winless Los Angeles Chargers in Week 5. After an offensive slump in Week 4, Denver head coach Sean Payton has reportedly retaken play-calling duties. Scataglia asserts that falling to 2-3 against a struggling division rival would signal immediate panic for a Broncos team harboring Super Bowl ambitions.

While Denver will miss Patrick Surtain II, Riley Moss, and Pat Bryant, Scataglia emphasizes that the 0-4 Chargers enter significantly more depleted. Los Angeles is missing key linemen Joe Alt and Rashawn Slater, alongside Quentin Johnston and Derwin James, making a Denver defeat completely inexcusable in the writer's view.