The Chargers return to action Sunday in Week 6 against the Broncos.
Kickoff from Denver is at 1:05 p.m. (PT).
The Bolts are three-point favorites and the over/under for Sunday's game is 35.5 points.
Here are five final thoughts ahead of Week 6:
1. A fresh start
The Chargers are embracing a reset of sorts after the bye.
The Bolts split their first four games, winning the first two before dropping back-to-back close contests.
As the Chargers begin a stretch of 13 straight games, they know step one begins Sunday in Denver.
"Refreshed, but energized and ready to attack … and get ready for a big game on Sunday," Khalil Mack said.
Justin Herbert added: "We've got a lot of football left and our best is out there still."
As the Chargers kick off a marathon, they'll do so in Denver, a place that has given the Bolts fits of late.
The Chargers haven't won at Mile High since 2018 and have dropped 10 of the past 11 games against the Broncos on the road.
"We can basically restart," Fox said. "We've put ourselves in a decent position before the bye, but now we have a real chance to go on a run.
"Everybody knows that a divisional game is one step down from a playoff game, so these are the games you've got to go win," Fox later added. "It's going to be tough going into Denver … but the sense of urgency is there."
Denver is 3-2 and has won three straight games following an 0-2 start.
If the Chargers can win this one, they then face a string of five games against teams who currently don't have a winning record.
In other words, consider this an early push for a possible playoff spot.
"We're 2-2 and we're right here," Herbert said. "We've got a great opportunity to go out and play football. We've got a lot of football games left."
2. Patience from the offense
Much of the focus around The Bolt the past week or so has been trying to find a way to inject some juice into the offense.
Chargers Offensive Coordinator Greg Roman said Thursday that he appreciated the early bye for a pair of reasons: for the roster to get healthier and to do a deep self-scout evaluation process.
"We're just scratching the surface in so many areas," Roman said. "But we've got to get to the point where — taking nothing away from our opponents — we can't beat ourselves."
The Bolts have been hampered by penalties and third-and-long situations in recent weeks.
Herbert said this week that the focus has been on having a cleaner operation.
"It's executing on third down and scoring points in the red zone. Those are the two most important parts about our offense," Herbert said. "As long as we're in second-and-manageable and third-and-manageable, I think you're going to convert more third downs than average.
"As long as you're getting to the red zone and scoring points … presumably touchdowns … I think that's the making of a good offense," Herbert added.
Entering Sunday, the Bolts rank 25th in EPA per play and are 30th in offensive success rate (36.8 percent), according to Pro Football Focus.
The Chargers have obviously focused on having a run-first approach, but perhaps this is the time to rely on Herbert's arm a bit more. The quarterback hasn't topped 180 passing yards in any game this season.
Herbert said he's fine with whatever formula the Chargers use as long as they come away with the win.
"If we throw it 500 times or 50 times, we just have to be executing as an offense. Selfishly, I'd love to throw the football," Herbert said. "But I want to get this offense to be the best we can. What that look like? It changes from week to week."
"We ran the ball really well the first couple weeks and we have to get back to that," Herbert later added. "We shot ourselves in the foot the past couple weeks with some penalties and getting behind the chains, but it's something we have to keep working on."
The Bolts will face a stern test in a Denver defense that ranks third in EPA per play (-0.205) and is tied for the league lead (with the Bolts) in success rate allowed (37.4 percent).
The Broncos are led by cornerback Pat Surtain II, the reigning AFC Defensive Player of the Week.
"He's a very talented player and we have a lot of respect for him," Herbert said. "We've played against him a couple times and we know how good he is. He's definitely someone you have to be aware of."
Even so, Herbert said he has faith that his unit will get things turned around soon.
"Complete trust in our offense that we're going to be patient and get things right," Herbert said. "We haven't played the way we want to but there's never a time to panic."
3. Defense looking to stay hot
Sunday is shaping up to be a battle of two of the league's top defenses thus far.
The Chargers defense won't square directly off with the Broncos defense, but Fox noted that there's a subliminal challenge at stake between the two units.
"For us, you go in and play a team with a good defense and we want to prove we're the better defense," Fox said. "In our eyes, there's a competition there."
Entering Sunday, the Bolts lead the league in defensive EPA per game (-0.218) and also rank second in defensive DVOA (-15.6 percent).
"We've been playing good so far but we can always take it to another level," Asante Samuel, Jr. said this week.
For the Bolts, that means closing out games when the score is tight.
The Chargers have held a 10-7 halftime lead in each of the past two games but haven't been able to seal the deal.
"Certainly we're chasing to play… winning defense," said Chargers Defensive Coordinator Jesse Minter. "We've done that in a lot of spurts but we need to do it for four quarters, we need to do it consistently, we need to do it at the biggest moments."
The challenge Sunday includes Broncos rookie quarterback Bo Nix, who is starting to heat up offensively a bit.
"He can get himself out of trouble and make some throws down the field," Fox said. "They've been managing the game really well on top of playing off their defense."
The Chargers, however, will be without starting cornerback Asante Samuel, Jr., who is out with a shoulder injury.
"Big loss. [He's] one of the best cover guys we've got," Derwin James, Jr. said. "But whoever is in that role, he'll be ready to play. We trust that no matter who steps in, they'll make plays."
Denver enters Week 6 ranked 29th in offensive EPA per play (-0.210) and are 31st in offensive success rate (36.6 percent).
4. Niemann ready for potential return
Help could be on the way for the Chargers special teams units.
Linebacker Nick Niemann, one of the Bolts top players in that phase, is eligible to return to action on Sunday.
Niemann began the season on Injured Reserve with a hamstring injury and missed the first four games. But he began practicing last week and was a full participant every day this week. Niemann is listed as questionable for Week 6.
The Chargers would have to add Niemann to the active roster before Sunday's game in order for him to play.
Niemann, who said he hadn't missed any games since his sophomore year of college, is chomping at the bit to get back on the field.
"Not enjoyable for me," Niemann said. "Obviously, fun watching the guys and the team but I cannot wait to get back out there.
"It's been a long couple weeks so I've been looking forward to it for awhile," Niemann added.
The Bolts will certainly welcome Niemann back with open arms. He ranked 10th in the NFL in PFF special teams grade (83.5) in 2023 among players with at least 300 snaps.
"Excited to [possibly] get him back," Chargers Special Teams Coordinator Ryan Ficken said.
Niemann said this week that he won't try to make too much of his potential return and is mostly focused on helping out any way he can.
"I don't want to turn it into something it's not, but being out there and knowing what I can do when I am out there, it's like you have something to prove a little bit," Niemann said. "There's a little bit of that aspect of it, but really just go out there and do what I've done and try to elevate my game like I know I can."
5. Vidal's debut on deck?
Kimani Vidal could be in line for his NFL debut.
The Chargers sixth-round running back was inactive for the first four games of the season.
But with Gus Edwards ruled out for Sunday — and the Chargers dressing three running backs in every game so far this year — Vidal could play in Denver along with J.K. Dobbins and Hassan Haskins.
"I've been preparing like I'm playing," Vidal said. "Not actually physically going out there and play, but from a mentality standpoint I'm going out there ready to go."
Chargers Head Coach Jim Harbaugh on Friday said he expects Vidal to be active on Sunday.
Vidal was a workhorse at Troy University as he set all-time (4,010) yards, single-season (1,661) and single-game (248) rushing records. He also added 34 total touchdowns in college.
Vidal said this week that he's tried to be a sponge early in his NFL career.
"It's been pretty good. I'm just taking it day-by-day, trying to learn from the older guys," Vidal said. "They've been in the league longer than I have obviously and whenever my opportunity comes, just take advantage of it."
