Denver Broncos vs Chicago Bears Preview
The Denver Broncos travel on the road to face the Chicago Bears in week 11 after losing back-to-back games.
The Denver Broncos come off back-t0-back losses to the Indianapolis Colts and Kansas City Chiefs. The Denver Broncos entered week nine, against the Colts, with an undefeated record. With the Broncos’ undefeated record, they sat atop most power rankings, but as of late, their playoff stock hit an all-time low. The loss against the Kansas City Chiefs raises questions of whether or not the Denver Broncos are the real deal this season and if they can regain their step moving forward down the home stretch of the season.
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In the Denver Broncos’ week 10 matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs, the Broncos played their worst football game of the 2015-2016 season. Their offense could not get anything going, and they were shutout in the first half for the first time all season. Peyton Manning threw four interceptions and completed just five passes for 35 yards. Brock Osweiler replaced Manning in the third quarter and pushed the Broncos to score 13 points. After the game, Gary Kubiak noted that Manning was nursing an injury heading into the game, and he should not have started him.
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Peyton Manning suffered a partially torn plantar fascia, and the injury will force the future Hall of Fame quarterback to miss this week’s game against the Chicago Bears. With Manning’s injury, Osweiler receives the nod at quarterback to earn his first start of his young, professional career. The Denver Broncos’ offense looks to gain an edge with Osweiler at quarterback, because Manning led the NFL in interceptions, averaging just under two interceptions per matchup. Due to Manning’s diminishing arm strength, DeMaryius Thomas has suffered, only catching one touchdown pass on the season and none in his last six games.
Brock Osweiler provides a big arm capable of making big plays; thus, Thomas looks to find the end zone in week 11 against the Bears. However, the Bears rank fourth in the NFL in passing yards allowed, sitting at 217 yards per game. Despite the Bears’ improved pass defense, the Denver Broncos may find running room against their poor run defense. The Bears rank 26th (out of 32 teams) in rushing yards given up per game (118.6). Also, the Bears rank in the bottom-third in points allowed, so the Denver Broncos have a chance to put up big stats this upcoming week.
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Gary Kubiak noted that Ronnie Hillman will get the start in week 11 for the Denver Broncos. Hillman and C.J. Anderson have split carries for most of the season, but Anderson looks to be losing his role in the Broncos’ offense. With the Bears having a poor run defense, look for Hillman to help improve the Broncos running game, as the Bears allow 4.6 yards per carry. Despite the Bears being one of the best teams in terms of passing yards allowed per game, they rank among the bottom-third in passing touchdowns allowed (17).
Former Denver Broncos’ head coach John Fox leads the Chicago Bears into their week 11 matchup; thus, he knows the personnel on the Broncos’ sideline, which may prove to be an advantage in the matchup. Although the Denver Broncos lost their last two games, their defense is still one of the best in the NFL; however, they need to start generating turnovers. The Denver Broncos have not forced a turnover in their last three games, so they need to apply pressure to Jay Cutler and force him to make quick decisions.
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With Brock Osweiler and Ronnie Hillman leading the Denver Broncos’ offense, the Broncos look to enter the win column and stop their short losing streak. Just two weeks ago, the Denver Broncos looked like a lock to win the AFC West; however, they are just three games up on the Oakland Raiders and Kansas City Chiefs. So, they are not a lock to win the AFC West anymore, especially with Manning on the shelf. Moreover, the Denver Broncos remaining schedule looks tough, with matchups against the Patriots, Bengals, Raiders, and Steelers.