The Chicago Bears are gearing up for what will be one of the most defining games of the season, albeit against a Peyton Manning-less Denver Broncos team. In his first three years in Denver, he totaled 136 TD throws and just 36 interceptions.
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Yes, Manning’s record-breaking, pick-distributing stinkfest could be the final time he’s a starting quarterback if things go well for the Broncos starting this week against the Chicago Bears.
Brock Osweiler, who replaced a benched Peyton Manning last week shortly after he passed Brett Favre to become the NFL’s all-time passing yards leader, is set to start the first game of his career as Manning deals with what the team is calling a left foot injury.
“Certainly it is a dream come true, but I kind of put that aside as of last night and I’m just treating this week like a normal work week”, said Osweiler, who recalled watching John Elway and Jake Plummer growing up in Kalispell, Montana. “I have a job to do and this team has a job to do”.
Denver won its first seven before this slide.
So far 2015 has been a coming out of sorts for Jay Cutler, as he is finally living up to all of the hype he came with when the Broncos traded him to Chicago in April of 2009. This week the Bears look to climb back to.500, as they host the AFC’s Denver Broncos. We’re very competitive. We want to get out there.
“A lot of people make a lot about the talent level and all that stuff”, Fox said. Injuries, lack of a running game, and poor execution have led to consecutive losses to teams with a losing record. “We know Brock has been waiting for this opportunity and he can’t wait to play, and we’re going to go out there and back him up”.
– Jimmy Clausen ranked the worst backup quarterback in the league. Whether it’s what to expect from the defense on certain plays, when to change a call at the line, what to look for when a first or second read breaks down, or even just a few advice on handling the mental and emotional challenges of being a starting quarterback, the impact Manning could have on helping Osweiler is enormous. “He can throw the deep ball, he can throw the deep outs”. 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.
The most intriguing game of the morning might be the Bears and Broncos. After a shocking 37-13 win in St. Louis last week, the Bears are looking right at the possibility (albeit small for now) of a run at, dare I say it, the postseason. The Bengals started 8-0 because Dalton played like an MVP candidate. These Bears are now on a two-game wining streak, and I think that streak will continue heading into an even more important matchup against the Green Bay Packers on Thanksgiving Day. That being said, if Brock Osweiler provides a spark to the Broncos’ offense on Sunday, it would be hard for head coach Gary Kubiak to go back to Manning, especially considering Osweiler is a better fit for Kubiak’s offense. But the Broncos need to rush for 125 yards in Chicago or they could be in trouble.
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Chicago (4-5) has been steadily improving week-over-week and may be gearing up to make a run through the NFC standings. His 151 rating was a career high, and Zach Miller and Jeremy Langford turned short passes into touchdowns of 87 and 83 yards, respectively.
