The Chicago Bears at Denver Broncos game suddenly took on an entirely different light when both teams lost their opening games to division rivals. Urgency is going to be prevalent from both sides, which should make for a compelling and physical game. Everybody knows what's on the line. Teams that start 0-1 can still recover to make the playoffs. It becomes much, much tougher for those who start 0-2. That is what's at stake.
The advantage appears to lay with the Broncos. They are on their homefield. A notorious building benefitted by the being up in the mountains where altitude can play havoc with players who aren't used to it. There is no predicting how the Bears will respond to it. That said, this has the look of a fairly balanced matchup. It may come down with which team is able to make fewer mistakes.
Chicago Bears at Denver Broncos breakdown
Storylines:
Matt Nagy vs. Vic Fangio - Last year, Bears head coach Matt Nagy and defensive coordinator Vic Fangio played crucial roles in helping the team go 12-4 and make the playoffs. That success ended up helping Fangio become a head coach for the first time with Denver. Now the two former colleagues are set to go head-to-head, each having intimate knowledge of how the other likes to operate on their preferred side of the ball. This makes for a fascinating battle of wits as to who can take advantage of it.
Mitch Trubisky mystery - The opener against Green Bay managed to completely erode confidence in Bears QB Mitch Trubisky that he'd tirelessly built up towards the end of last season. The third-year QB made mistakes that rookies usually make. It's led some to wonder if he's truly learned anything about being a top-flight starter. Many view this game in Denver against a solid Broncos defense as a possible do-or-die moment for him. If he flops again, it could lead to questions about his future in Chicago.
Injuries:
Ja'Wuan James - The Broncos offensive line allowed three sacks in the opener against Oakland. That's bad enough. It gets worse when the realization hit they'd be moving forward without right tackle Ja'Wuan James who suffered a knee injury in the first half. He's not expected to return for a few weeks. This puts backup tackle Elijah Wilkinson squarely in the sights of Khalil Mack. Not an ideal situation when the immobile Joe Flacco is your quarterback.
Trey Burton - It was clear the Bears offense missed Trey Burton against Green Bay. Their tight ends were virtually invisible in that game. His versatility and pass-catching prowess are a big part of their success. He's been practicing consistently this week and hopes are high he's finally set to return from a groin issue. Nothing is certain but it feels like things are headed that direction. A good piece of news for a struggling unit.
Key matchups:
Kyle Fuller vs. Courtland Sutton - The Broncos wide receiver has certainly blossomed this year. He had 120 yards in the opener against the Raiders, showcasing his exciting mixture of size, strength, and underrated speed. He's going to be a challenge for Fuller. He's no stranger to matching bigger receiver and figures to have his hands full. Both players are tough and physical. It will come down to who can play more disciplined.
Von Miller vs. Bobby Massie - Miller did not have his best game in Oakland, being rendered almost invisible by the Raiders offensive line. So one can imagine the star pass rusher will be bringing his best this week to exorcise a few demons. Massie will be the one to draw primary attention. The big right tackle has really improved in pass protection over the past year but this is going to be one of his biggest challenges all season.
Prediction: Bears win 16-13
This game is going to be a tough one. Mile High is a notoriously difficult stadium to win in for road teams, especially early in a season. Denver will undoubtedly make life tough on Trubisky for the second-straight week, but the more favorable matchup rests with the Bears defense. That iffy Broncos offensive line against Mack, Akiem Hicks, Roy Robertson-Harris, and Leonard Floyd looks like a nightmare scenario. It'll be close, but Chicago manages to escape with their first win.
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