New Broncos injury should allow Chargers to feast in Week 6

Typically an early-season bye week is not what a team wants or needs but that is not the case for the 2024 LA Chargers. With the Bolts dealing with various injuries to key players on the roster, the Week 5 bye could not have come at a better time.

In addition to giving the team a chance to rest its star players, the bye week also allows the Chargers to get a type of mental reset. The Bolts have lost two games in a row after a 2-0 start, and with the rest of the AFC failing to live up to expectations, it is imperative the Chargers get back on the right track to strengthen the team's playoff chances.

Los Angeles is looking to get back on track in Week 6 against the Denver Broncos, who are winners of three in a row after dropping the first two games of the season. While Denver is in better form recently, they too are dealing with injuries that will impact the game.

Right tackle Alex Palczewski suffered a high-ankle sprain against the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 5. Palczewski may not be a household name but his injury will have major implications.

Alex Palczewski's injury may open the pass-rush floodgates for the Chargers

The Broncos, like the Chargers, are already dealing with a battered offensive line. With Palczewski's injury, the Broncos are going to be down to their third-string right tackle, which does not bode well for the team.

Perhaps the biggest strength for the Chargers this season has been the team's stout pass rush. The menacing defensive front, even without Joey Bosa, has been the gear that has turned Jesse Minter's defense. In even in the team's two losses, the defense has thrived.

This is bad news for a Denver team that has a rookie quarterback who is still learning what it takes to succeed in the NFL. Bo Nix had arguably his best game as a pro in Week 5 but he is by no means a surefire product. He certainly is nothing like the last quarterback the Chargers played.

In fact, simply based on how he has played thus far, Nix is more like the first two quarterbacks the Chargers played this season. Nix is better than both Gardner Minshew and Bryce Young, but it is not like he is on some higher tier where the Chargers must be afraid.

And even with all of the team's faults, the Chargers have at least proven they can beat up on bad quarterbacks and run their way to victory. Nix was already going to have a tough day against this Chargers defense and with a third-string right tackle in the game, it could get ugly.