Man, you gotta feel for Denver right now, if you’re into feeling things for rival teams, that is. Because the 2026 Broncos? They’re a mess, four weeks in, and it got a whole lot messier after Week 4. Not only is their offense sputtering with Bo Nix, and the D struggling to generate sacks, but now they’re down BOTH their top two corners: Riley Moss AND Patrick Surtain II. This ain’t good, folks.
Denver’s Defense Just Hit Rock Bottom
ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler isn’t merely worried; he’s sounding the alarm bells for the Emerald City to hear, saying Surtain’s ankle injury could put that “already shaky” defense in “serious trouble.” We’re talking about a former Defensive Player of the Year here! When Fowler was asked whose Week 4 injury could be “most detrimental,” he didn’t even hesitate. Not a star quarterback on another team, nope. It was Surtain. “Normally I would go with the star quarterback who’s hurt, but Surtain’s absence could have a sizeable ripple effect for a team on the ropes,” Fowler wrote. That’s a massive blow, and with Moss also sidelined for a week or two, it turns their “underwhelming” defense into a full-blown question mark. The Broncos’ defense has become a “legitimate area to worry about,” and that’s putting it mildly.
The Chargers Got Boosted, And We Saw Why
So, who’s up next for this reeling Denver squad? The 0-4 Los Angeles Chargers. And normally, you’d think, “Easy W, right?” But here’s the kicker: the Chargers actually found a little bit of momentum last week. Remember that late comeback they pulled off? Yeah, that was against *our* Seattle Seahawks’ tough defense. The Chargers, despite their record, got a shot in the arm against a good D! So, while the Broncos are sliding downhill, the Bolts actually got a little juice flowing. Fowler’s even saying it wouldn’t be a “huge surprise” if the Surtain-less Broncos lost to the Chargers this week. The signs are pointing way down for Denver, even before you factor in losing your best defensive player.
This isn’t merely a bump in the road for Denver; this is a full-blown chasm opening up. Watching them try to stop any kind of offense, even a winless one, without Surtain leading the charge? That’s gonna be a must-watch for all the wrong reasons. Can they somehow defy the odds and beat the Chargers, or are we about to witness Denver’s season officially circle the drain? I know what I’m hoping for!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by The Sporting News.
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