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Come Fan with UsFriday, June 26, 2026

NFL Picks And Predictions Week 5: Chargers Vs. Broncos

San Diego is looking for their third straight win in the best start of the Norv Turner era. Can they pull it off in Denver without Antonio Gates?

The Chargers are off a rare winning start under head coach Norv Turner. Game against Minnesota, Miami and Kansas City will do that. Turner's bunch heads to the Mile High City to face another struggling division rival, the Denver Brocos...who still have Tim Tebow on their bench, in case you hadn't heard.

Chargers wide receiver Vincent Jackson has not practiced this week, which could be a little bit of a break for Denver's woeful pass defense. Tight end Antonio Gates will not return until after San Diego's week six bye. That means running back Ryan Matthews will shoulder much of the offensive burden this week.

Kyle Orton gets the start again this week, despite his struggles. He was winless against the Chargers last year, and may struggle again this week. Expect the Tebow chats to reach a fever pitch by Monday morning. Or maybe not. Pete Prisco of CBS predicts the Broncos passing game to improve this week, in a narrow loss. There's even a pick for the Broncos to win from one person on the CBS panel.

Peter King thinks this is the week that Philip Rivers tosses four touchdowns and lights up the stat sheet with something approaching 400 yards, even without Gates. Fox's Peter Schrager, sees a lopsided Chargers win.

For more on the Chargers, visit Bolts from the Blue. Check out Mile High Report, for all things Broncos.

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