After a 44-7 loss at Detroit on Nov. 4, it appeared the Denver Broncos' season was pretty much over. Well, Denver has won two in a row since then and is a co-leader of the AFC West with San Diego heading into Sunday's game at Chicago, where the Bears are -1.5 (41) on WagerWeb.com.
Since that loss to the Lions, the Broncos have scored 61 points in beating the Kansas City Chiefs and the Tennessee Titans.
"This is our division," Broncos wide receiver Brandon Marshall said after Monday's 34-20 victory over the Titans. "It's always been our division. It's time for us to take it back. San Diego, Kansas City, they don't have the talent like us in the locker room."
The Broncos (5-5) had four scoring plays of more than 40 yards - three on offense, one on special teams - and rolled up 359 yards in beating the Titans. QB Jay Cutler completed 16 of 21 passes for 200 yards with a pair of touchdowns and no interceptions.
And Cutler might be able to throw Sunday to wide receiver Javon Walker, who has missed the last eight games due to an injured right knee but returned to practice Wednesday and is likely to play. (NFL injury report)
"It's feeling pretty good," said Walker, who had 19 catches for 230 yards through the first three games of the season. "It's not completely healed. But it's something I can work through. It feels good."
The Broncos gained 166 yards on the ground against the Titans, and have rushed for 307 in their last two games after gaining 297 in their previous four.
Andre Hall, a first-year player who entered Monday's game with eight carries this season, finished with 89 yards on seven attempts and scored his first NFL touchdown. Hall replaced Selvin Young, who went out with a knee injury. Hall could start Sunday as Travis Henry will miss a third straight game with a knee injury and Young only had limited practice this week. Young will be a game-time decision.
The Bears (4-6) are heading the wrong way, coming off a 30-23 loss to the Seattle Seahawks
"We haven't given up on this football season," coach Lovie Smith said.Last Sunday was the fourth time this season the Bears gave up more than 400 yards and the fourth time an opponent scored at least 30 points. They allowed just one team to gain 400 yards and three to score 30 points against them over the previous two seasons.
Rex Grossman will start again at QB for Chicago. He threw for 266 yards in last week's loss but had a costly turnover.
"Time is running out," cornerback Charles Tillman said. "We can keep talking about making a run, making a run, but time is running out. Time's almost out right now."
The main reason Chicago has struggled on offense this year has been a running game that is 29th in rushing offense (81.6), but it did match a season high with 107 against the Seahawks, thanks mostly to Cedric Benson.
Benson gained 89 yards on 11 carries, and scored on a 43-yard touchdown on Chicago's second play. The Bears hope to get another productive game from Benson, as the Broncos are 30th in the league in rush defense (149.2).
The lowdown: Soldier Field hasn't provided the Bears with much home-field advantage, though, as they've dropped three straight there since beating Kansas City 20-10 in their home opener on Sept. 16. Chicago, which won 13 of 16 at home over the last two seasons, has not lost four straight at Soldier Field since Sept. 17-Oct. 15, 2000. . Denver has not visited Chicago since a 13-3 victory on Dec. 18, 1993. These teams have played twice since then, with Chicago winning 19-10 in the last meeting on Nov. 23, 2003. . The Bears led the NFL with 44 takeaways last season. Through 10 games this year they've got 17. . I look for a Chicago victory here, with Andre Hall likely not being able to gouge the Bears' run defense like previous backs have.
Broncos vs. Bears Betting Trends
The Broncos are 3-7 ATS.
The Broncos are 1-3 ATS away.
The Broncos are 2-2 ATS as the underdog.
The Broncos are 1-2 ATS as an away underdog.
The Bears are 3-7 ATS.
The Bears are 0-4 ATS at home.
The Bears are 1-5 ATS as the favorite.
The Bears are 0-4 ATS as a home favorite.
More NFL Trends when they allowed 425 yards. They need to start winning - now - to have any chance of defending their NFC championship (they have alternated wins and losses in their past six games)
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