Broncos vs. Bears Betting Line
Carrie Stroup here with your Broncos vs. Bears betting line. Sportsbook.ag Line: Denver -1, Total: 41
DENVER BRONCOS (7-2) at CHICAGO BEARS (4-5)
The Broncos have a new quarterback at the helm when they visit the Bears on Sunday for a Windy City showdown.
It’s a changing of the guard for Denver (7-2 SU, 5-3-1 ATS), who has benched the struggling and injury-riddled future Hall of Fame QB Peyton Manning in favor of backup QB Brock Osweiler. The swap comes on the heels of a two-game slide punctuated by a 29-13 lashing at home against the Chiefs in Week 10, though the Broncos have maintained their position atop the AFC West.
Chicago (4-5 SU, 5-4 ATS), meanwhile, is hoping its season has turned a corner after ripping off two straight wins on the road as part of four victories in the past six games.
The all-time series between the two is tied up at 7-7 SU, with a QB Tim Tebow-led Denver squad beating a Chicago team helmed by QB Caleb Hanie 13-10 in their last meeting in 2011. This matchup also features Bears head coach John Fox facing his former Broncos team for the first time since he switched jobs.
There are lots of reasons to back either side, as Denver is 21-10 ATS in games played on a grass field since 2013, and Fox's replacement, Gary Kubiak, is 10-2 ATS on the road versus excellent ball-control teams (32+ avg. time of possession) in his head coaching career. However, Fox is 38-21 ATS in his coaching career after allowing 14 points or less in the previous game since 1992 and his new club is 19-6 ATS against AFC West opponents since 1996.
On the injury front, Manning (foot) is the big name, but fellow star teammates LB DeMarcus Ware (back, doubtful) and WR Emmanuel Sanders (head, questionable) are also unsure to play. Chicago could be missing RB Matt Forte, WR Eddie Royal and LB Pernell McPhee, who are all questionable with knee injuries, but top WR Alshon Jeffery (groin) has been upgraded to probable.
Denver’s offense has been middle-of-the-road in terms of generating points, with the team averaging 22.8 PPG (17th in NFL). Under QB Peyton Manning, the team averaged 246 passing YPG (18th in league), while tallying just 10 TD through the air (25th in NFL) and a league-worst 18 interceptions. Fourth-year QB Brock Osweiler, whom the Broncos hope will give the offense a jolt in Manning’s absence, has seen action just once this season, completing 14-of-24 passes for 146 yards, 1 TD and 1 INT in last week’s loss to the Chiefs.
Denver has had difficulty establishing a solid running game this season, tallying the fourth-fewest rushing attempts (23) and rushing YPG (86) in the league. RBs Ronnie Hillman and C.J. Anderson have traded off starts and workloads throughout the season, though Hillman seems to have established himself as the team’s lead back, carrying the ball 11 times for 42 yards and a score in last week’s game, compared to Anderson’s two touches for nine yards.
The Broncos’ defense has been key to the team’s success this season, allowing opponents just 18.7 PPG (3rd in NFL), holding teams to a league-best 277.3 YPG, and sacking opposing quarterbacks a league-leading 32.0 times. The club will welcome the return of CB Aqib Talib, who served a one-game suspension last week and leads the team with three interceptions – two of which he returned for touchdowns, and will be closely monitoring the injury to LB DeMarcus Ware, who leads the team in sacks (6.5).
Chicago’s offense has been below-average this season, producing 22.1 PPG (20th in NFL) and generating 352.7 YPG (16th in league), though in its past three games, it has averaged 26.3 PPG and 382.7 YPG. Veteran QB Jay Cutler, who has led his team on three game-winning drives this season, looked solid in last week’s game against the St. Louis Rams, connecting on 19-of-24 passes for 258 yards and three touchdowns.
Rookie RB Jeremy Langford, filling in for an injured Matt Forte, was the primary recipient of Cutler’s largesse, catching seven passes for 109 yards and a touchdown, as well as rushing 20 times for 73 yards and a score. Cutler found chemistry with backup TE Zach Miller as well, connecting with him on 5-out-of-5 attempts for 107 yards and two touchdowns.
Star WR Alshon Jeffrey had a quiet game last week (3 catches for 23 yards), but still averages 103.0 YPG, which is tied for third in the league.
The Bears’ defense has been generous in giving up points (26.0 PPG, 24th in NFL), and hasn’t been particularly successful generating turnovers (11, 22nd in league). The squad has been able to hold opposing quarterbacks to just 217 passing YPG (4th in NFL), though it has given up 17 TD through the air (23rd in league).
- Carrie Stroup, Gambling911.com Senior Reporter
