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Stock up, Stock Down in Broncos win over Chargers
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- Stock up, Stock Down in Broncos win over Chargers
The Denver Broncos escaped Los Angeles with a 23-17 win over the Chargers in Week 5, improving to 3-2 and keeping themselves in the AFC West race. The victory also extended the Chargers' winless start to 0-5. Denver's defense delivered when it mattered, forcing turnovers and shutting down Justin Herbert late.
But the offense remained frustratingly inconsistent, and several costly mistakes nearly spoiled the comeback. Nik Bonitto and Brandon Jones stood out, while Bo Nix and the kicking game left questions heading into a tougher test against Seattle.
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Stock Up- Nik Bonitto
Bonitto delivered one of his strongest performances of the season, recording two sacks, three tackles for loss and two quarterback hits. His pressure disrupted Herbert's rhythm and helped Denver's defense take control in crucial situations. The linebacker was especially effective on third down, when the Chargers needed to keep drives alive.
Bonitto's production helped Denver finish off a game in which the defense forced multiple turnovers. If he can sustain this level of disruption, he will remain a major part of Denver's defensive identity.
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Stock Down- Bo Nix
Nix completed 16 of 27 passes for 123 yards and one touchdown, finishing with an 82.8 passer rating. Although he avoided an interception, Denver managed only 224 total yards. The offense struggled to find a rhythm, and Nix missed opportunities to move the chains consistently.
The quarterback also took a five-yard sack in the second quarter and fumbled on the play, although Denver recovered the ball. He struggled to convert important third downs, and the offense looked disjointed for long stretches. His fourth-quarter touchdown pass to Sutton was important, but Denver needs more from its quarterback if it wants to compete with the league's stronger teams.
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Stock Up- Brandon Jones
Jones came up with a crucial interception of Herbert late in the fourth quarter, returning it seven yards. He also recorded two pass breakups and recovered a fumble. Those plays helped Denver swing momentum during a tense finish. With safety Talanoa Hufanga leaving the game early, Jones had to take on an important role. He responded with timely plays that helped limit the Chargers to 17 points.
Stock Down- Zach Allen
Allen recorded a sack, a tackle for loss, a quarterback hit and a forced fumble against Los Angeles. Those are meaningful contributions in a game Denver won largely because of its defense. Denver allowed the Chargers to score 17 unanswered points in the third quarter, including a 42-yard touchdown run by Kimani Vidal. The defense also struggled with tackling at times. However, the available game review does not identify a specific costly mistake by Allen. His individual performance was strong, so he could be better classified as neutral than stock down.
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Stock Up- Ja'Quan McMillian
McMillian recorded a sack on Herbert with three seconds remaining, ending Los Angeles' final drive. The play capped a strong defensive finish and prevented the Chargers from getting another opportunity to threaten Denver's lead. McMilan's impact went beyond the final snap, when he recorded a tackle for loss and a quarterback hit. His ability to blitz from the secondary added another dimension to Denver's pass rush. The late sack was the headline moment, but his overall pressure helped the defense close out a game in which the offense struggled to build a comfortable lead.
Stock Down- Alex Singleton
Singleton made a forceful stop for no gain early in the game and also recorded a tackle for loss. But he missed a tackle on third-and-15 that allowed the Chargers to convert for a first down. That was a costly lapse in a game where Denver's defense needed to get off the field. Singleton showed good instincts on some run plays but struggled to finish others. The missed stop gave Los Angeles an opportunity to extend a drive, putting more pressure on the defense.
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Stock Up- J.K. Dobbins
The Broncos running back produced touchdwon on a two-yard run in the first quarter and finished with 68 rushing yards on 18 carries. His longest run went for 14 yards. Although the running game was inconsistent, Dobbins gave Denver a reliable option on the ground and helped establish the offense's early scoring drive.
Dobbins found more room late, including runs of 13 and seven yards during a key scoring drive. He was not consistently explosive throughout the game, averaging 3.8 yards per carry, but he helped Denver manage the clock and set up Wil Lutz's go-ahead field goal.
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Stock Down- Wil Lutz
Lutz missed a 42-yard field-goal attempt early in the fourth quarter, missing a chance to put points on the board. In a game that remained tight until the final minutes, that miss could have proved costly.
Lutz converted field goals from 19 and 36 yards in the fourth quarter to help secure Denver's 23-17 victory. His successful attempts were crucial, but the earlier miss continued a pattern of inconsistency. He needs to convert makeable kicks more reliably, particularly when Denver's offense is struggling to produce touchdowns.
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Stock Up- Evan Engram
Engram caught all four of his targets for 55 yards, leading the Broncos in receiving. His longest catch went for 34 yards, giving Nix a much-needed big play in a passing game that struggled to generate consistent production. His perfect catch rate helped Denver move the ball despite its offensive struggles. He showed the value of a tight end who can work underneath and create yards after the catch. Engram's performance was one of the clearest positives from the passing game.
Stock Up- Courtland Sutton
Sutton caught a five-yard touchdown pass from Nix early in the fourth quarter, bringing Denver level at 17-17. he eventually finished with two catches for 18 yards and a touchdown. The scoring play was his most important contribution, giving the Broncos a chance to complete their comeback.
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The overall performance was mixed, with Sutton drawing an offensive pass interference penalty and dropped a catchable ball on third down. His touchdown helped Denver win, but he needs to be more consistent as the team's top wide receiver. Sutton's a stock up is especially because his touchdown, which resulted in the team's victory.
This story was originally published by Athlon on Oct 13, 2026, where it first appeared in the NFL section. Add Athlon as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
