Linebackers Shaquil Barrett and rookie Shane Ray will continue to play in his place.
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Receiver Emmanuel Sanders is listed as questionable for the game due to ankle and finger injuries. Wideout Alshon Jeffery is dealing with a groin injury and was limited to three catches last week while the defense has held four of the last six opponents to 20 points or fewer.
The tight end is often the check-down receiver and Osweiler will have to find any of the three capable tight ends Sunday when he is pressured. Chicago’s offense will make enough plays to guarantee that.
Reports yesterday suggested Denver Bronco QB Peyton Manning was not helping Brock Osweiler and hadn’t spoken to him or been in any team meetings to assist with Osweiler’s first start, were in my opinion, shoddy journalism. The move was not made out of spite or punishment.
Manning’s explanation for not being around for Osweiler essentially amounts to Manning saying that there will be enough people offering advice, so his is not needed.
Here are the inactives for this afternoon’s game between the Denver Broncos and the Chicago Bears at Solider Field in cold and windy Chicago.
The teams are trending in opposite directions heading into the game, with the Bears winners of two-straight games and the Broncos looking to avoid losing a third straight.
Coach Gary Kubiak’s zone-blocking, stretch-run offense was modified to fit Manning’s strength and it’s only reasonable to think it will be re-modified – or rather “un-modified” – given Osweiler’s strengths.
All week, Bears players echoed a refrain along the lines of: Osweiler is an National Football League quarterback, too.
– The Bears defense is getting better each week that they play. “So I told him that I am here for him as a resource if he needs me, but I’m not going to be one of those extra voices in his ear”. “When I run through the first eight games, it was nearly a highlight reel of how to play screens”.
The Broncos are slumping, but they’re very much still in the Super Bowl conversation. A disappointing playoff loss to the Colts in January resulted in his breakup with John Elway and the Broncos.
“We’ve been tremendous against the screen”, he said. “We’ve got Brock. So, after this game, then we’ll worry about the next week and see who our quarterback is”. What won’t give them an advantage is the fact that the Bears coaching staff knows the ins and outs of Osweiler like the backs of their hands. “We know we have to be ready”.
The Denver Broncos began the season a ideal 7-0, but the last two weeks haven’t gone their way.
“There should be a sense of urgency and not a sense of panic”, guard Evan Mathis said.
After the Broncos had to punt again, quarterback Jay Cutler directed the Bears on a seven-play, 50-yard drive that included a 38-yard pass to Joshua Bellamy as Aqib Talib got beat on the play.
“There’s tons of confidence from the defensive side, offensive side and special teams. We have to do a good job for him as coaches”.
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Soldier Field, Chicago, 11 a.m.
