Denver (+1) @ Bears (11-22-15)

[oldunclemark]

1 p.m. EST....Ian Eagle and Dan Fouts

Mid 30s and sunny...over-under 41.5

After backing up Peyton Manning for 61 games, 4th year QB Brock Osweiler gets his first NFL start on his 25th birthday against his former coach and offensive coordinator.

He'll have WR Demariyus Thomas (68 catches for 816 yards) and Emmanual Sanders (46 catches, 639 yards)bnt no running game as the Broncos have an NFL low 774 yards in rushing in 9 games..

Bear QB Jay Cutler (174 of 271 for 2,045) has been more conservative and limited turnovers this season but he's short of receivers after Alshon Jeffery (36 catches for 515 yards)and TE Martellus Bennett (48 catches, 399 yards)

HB Matt Forte 136 rushes for 548 yards) is probable to play Sunday after missing last week.

Denver has allowed 168 points in 9 games (18.6) per game..No 1 in the NFL and that includes interception returnsns against them for TDs.

Bears will go without WR Eddie Royal but tackle Jermon Bushrod may be back

Denver is without DeMarcus Ware (6.5 sacks) on a defense that allows an NFL low 4.5 yards per play.

Bears join the would card race with a win. Denver can tie Cincy for the No, 2 seed in the AFC with a victory and a Cincy loss at Arizona

There's no way to pick this game because nobody has any idea how Osweiler will play.

Bears will have a rowdy crowd behind them but that offensive line against the Denver 'D' is a bad matchup.

Us broken down gamblers should sit this one out

[amfootball]

If the Denver defense looks as bad as it has the last two weeks than I think the Bears take this one easily. You are right that Brock is a wild care but a new QB really needs his team to help him in his first start. Also does not help that both Fox and Cutler want to annihilate Denver. I expect the Bears to be up big time for this game but if bad Cutler shows up then all bets are off.

[oldunclemark]

Denver's defense wasn't bad last week....They held KC to field goals most of the day after the old Sherrif threw interceptions...

...Bears are hard to predict....1-3 at home...3-2 on the road....and very lucky to win at KC and SD.

But they have made some plays on defense...and Forte is a big factor..

....I'm guessing but 2 weeks ago,. Denver would have been favored by at least 7

[BloodyChamp]

I think it's all about motivation. Teams don't always respond to the backup, plus there's what I talked about in the Romo thread. If any of that applies Sunday...well...welcome to the party Bears.

[19colt]

So many story lines. Going to be a very interesting game. 

If Denver is for real then their defense should win this game assuming Brock doesn't play like the injured Manning did last week. 

[oldunclemark]

WR Alshon Jeffrey and HB Matt Forte are both questionable.

I'm thinking that both will sit it out because the Bears play at Green Bay Thanksgiving night, a much bigger game for the Bears

[oldunclemark]

17 degrees in Chicago 3 hours before the game....Emmanual Sanders will play fro the Broncos

[Shane Bond]

It's super cold in Chicago. 15 inches of snow last night.

[oldunclemark]

Late odds have this game even...and the under looks better at 41.5

[oldunclemark]

17 degrees in Chicago 3 hours before the game....Emmanual Sanders will play fro the Broncos

Whoops..no he wont...big plus for Bears..waiting for certainty on Alshon Jeffrey and Matt Forte...they may both be out

[jvan1973]

Whoops..no he wont...big plus for Bears..waiting for certainty on Alshon Jeffrey and Matt Forte...they may both be out

All 3 are out

[Shane Bond]

I am more interested in seeimg what Denver D can do.

[oldunclemark]

I am more interested in seeimg what Denver D can do.

Without Jeffrey and Forte, Broncos can single cover all Bears receivers and force the Bears to run the ball, which they can do.

But without Sanders, Bears can double Demariyus Thomes sand force Denver out of the air...which they want to do with two tight ends.

This may not be a very watchable game

[oldunclemark]

Brock takes 'em in for a 7-0 lead

[Fx Stryker]

Denver running at will today.

[oldunclemark]

Bronco line not much better for Brock than it was for Peyton

[oldunclemark]

Bronco line not much better for Brock than it was for Peyton

Actually, they run block Okay but pass blocking skills have not shown up much this year

[Fx Stryker]

Bronco line not much better for Brock than it was for Peyton

 

Is that four sacks today? Kubiak needs to do something with the line.

[amfootball]

Brock has looked real good running the Kubiak offense with precision. Good decisions too.  Denver D is getting eat up right now.

[oldunclemark]

10-6..that's a good half....

[amfootball]

10-6..that's a good half....

Brock looked great that final drive. Too bad he could not stick it in at the end but FG was good for momentum.

[oldunclemark]

Shaky early 3rd series for Brock

[oldunclemark]

3rd and 1 with a 6-foot-8, 245 pound QB, who throw?

[oldunclemark]

3rd and 1 with a 6-foot-8, 245 pound QB, why throw?

[Shane Bond]

Brock is looking awesome.

I want him to play next week.

[amfootball]

Brock is looking awesome.

I want him to play next week.

He is looking good. So Brady vs Brock I. 

[Shane Bond]

He is looking good. So Brady vs Brock I.

And Brady without Edelman in Mile High.

[amfootball]

And Brady without Edelman in Mile High.

Yeah. Big blow for Pats for sure. Have to hope Danny can fill in.

[Fx Stryker]

Brock is looking awesome.

I want him to play next week.

 

He has been okay. Not awesome. Denver's running game on the other hand.

[oldunclemark]

again...4th and 1 at the 2....why not sneak?

[amfootball]

again...4th and 1 at the 2....why not sneak?

Just kick the FG and go up 7. Bears offense has done nothing since 1st quarter.

[Fx Stryker]

Denver should have taken the 3 points.

[amfootball]

Now of course Bears offense gets hot. lol.

[oldunclemark]

Just kick the FG and go up 7. Bears offense has done nothing since 1st quarter.

6-foot-8, 245 pound QB...Just sneak (Think Cam!!!)

[oldunclemark]

the 'Kubiak' plays are getting the TE wide open

[jvan1973]

6-foot-8, 245 pound QB...Just sneak (Think Cam!!!)

He isn't nearly as strong or as athletic as Cam. Not even close

[oldunclemark]

IU's Cody Latimer........17-9 now

[oldunclemark]

He isn't nearly as strong or as athletic as Cam. Not even close

But they dint have a fullback...and you only need a yard..

Dive and stretch the ball out..why not?

[amfootball]

Brock delivered big time. What a fast ball. Nice drive. Should ice game as Bears can do nothing on O but kick FGs.

[jvan1973]

But they dint have a fullback...and you only need a yard..

Dive and stretch the ball out..why not?

Ball gets knocked out of his hands and he fumbles