A pair of winless teams coming off lopsided defeats, including one of historic proportions, will meet Sunday afternoon at Chicago's Soldier Field in Week 4 of the NFL season when the Denver Broncos play the host Bears.
Coach Sean Payton's Broncos were 70-20 losers at Miami last Sunday in the first rout of 50 or more points in the league in nine seasons. It was also the first time since 1966 that a team yielded 70-plus points in a game and the fourth overall in league history.
Broncos vs. Bears betting odds, props, and picks
No team had yielded 50 or more points in a game since the Broncos did it last year in Week 15 in LA against the Rams, a 51-14 loss despite being a 3-point favorite. The next day, on Dec. 26, Denver fired first-year head coach Nathaniel Hackett.
Meanwhile, coach Matt Eberflus' Bears were drubbed in Kansas City 41-10 last week -- and it could have been worse considering the Chiefs led 41-0 midway in the third quarter. That loss, the team's 13th in a row, came in the wake of QB Justin Fields commenting that the coaching staff isn't allowing him to play instinctively and that he's been "robotic" in having to overthink in the pocket. Or something like that.
Thus, this marks the first meeting of teams coming off losses of 30-plus points since 2011, when Tennessee and Indianapolis tangled. Somewhat ironically, the Colts had just lost 62-7 in New Orleans to a Saints team coached by Payton. So he knows how such a monster rout feels from both sides.
Broncos vs. Bears: Point Spread, Moneyline, Total & Division Futures
The Broncos are listed as a favorite, ranging from 3 to 3.5 points with an over/under total of 45.5 to 46. Four months ago, when odds for this game were first posted at the Westgate SuperBook, it was a pick-em with an O/U of 46.
On Thursday's moneyline, Denver could be had at -165 with Chicago at +150.
As for the over/under, Chicago is the only team in the league to go over in each of its games. Denver has gone over twice.
Also, this is the first time in 14 years that a team has been favored in its next game after a defeat of 50 or more points since Tennessee, a 59-0 loser to New England, was a 3-point pick at home over Jacksonville. The Titans won 30-13.
On the NFL division futures boards, the Broncos are available at +3300 to win the AFC West after opening the season at +650. The Bears' odds are +2800 to take the NFC North after being +450 before their season opener.
Broncos vs. Bears Key Injuries
The Bears are hurting big-time on the offensive line with left tackle Braxton Jones on IR with a neck injury suffered in Week 2 at Tampa Bay. He is widely considered the top player in that forward wall.
Also on IR is left guard Teven Jenkins (leg), so Fields' blind side will again be manned by backups, just like in that Kansas City game.
And key secondary members also are ailing, including star safety Eddie Jackson (foot), who hasn't played since Week 1 and didn't participate in practice Wednesday. Cornerback Jaylon Johnson sat out drills with a hamstring issue.
As for Denver, WR Jerry Jeudy is dealing with a knee injury that caused him to have limited participation in Wednesday's practice. He was the Broncos' leading receiver last season. He had five catches for 81 yards last week.
Denver's other main injury issues are on defense.
Linebacker Josey Jewell, the team's second-leading tackler the past two seasons, has a groin injury and reportedly will miss a game or two. And fellow LB Frank Clark hasn't played since the opener because of a hip injury.
Also, veteran safety Justin Simmons has been limited in drills with a hip injury he incurred two weeks ago.
Broncos vs. Bears Props
Here are some other interesting ways to bet on Sunday's game:
Alternate Points Spreads (DraftKings)
Broncos -16.5: +420
Bears +16.5: -680
Broncos -13.5: +303
Bears +13.5: -442
Broncos -10.5: +233
Bears +10.5: -323
Broncos -7.5: +167
Bears +7.5: -222
Broncos +3.5: -298
Bears -3.5: +217
Broncos +6.5: -475
Bears -6.5: +321
Broncos +9: -810
Bears -9: +474
Line/Total Double (PointsBet)
Bears +2.5/Over 44.5: +310
Bears +2.5/Under 44.5: +350
Broncos -2.5/Over 44.5: +200
Broncos -2.5/Under 44.5: +260
Player to Score TD at Any Time (FanDuel)
Broncos RB Javonte Williams: -145
Bears QB Justin Fields: +100
Broncos WR Courtland Sutton: +185
Broncos WR Jerry Jeudy: +190
Broncos RB Samaje Perine: +190
Bears RB Khalil Herbert: +190
Bears RB Roschon Johnson: +200
Bears WR DJ Moore: +240
Broncos QB Russell Wilson: +330
Broncos defense: +600
Bears defense: +700
Broncos vs. Bears Analysis & Picks
Considering that over the previous 24 seasons, only one team out of 112 that started 0-3 reached the postseason (Houston in 2018), the playoff chances for Denver and Chicago are slim. But then again, with the expanded postseason format that includes three wild cards from each conference, it's a different world these days.
There's still hope for both teams, but probably a lot less for the Bears.
There's good reason to expect this to be a high-scoring game, considering that in each of the teams' three outings, the opposing quarterback had his best game of the season (based on passer rating). In the Broncos' case, Tua Tagovailoa of Miami had a 155.8 rating against them Sunday that's tops by anyone this season.
If Denver is to start winning, it will have to significantly improve its run defense after allowing Miami 350 rush yards, the second most in a game since 2021. The Broncos also missed a whopping 24 tackles. But going back in time, the Broncos once gave up 407 ground yards in a loss to Cincinnati in 2000, the second most in league history. Denver rebounded nicely by allowing a combined 318 rush yards its next five games. So, it can be done.
On offense, Denver QB Russell Wilson has improved over last season, which was the worst of his career, even if the team's win-loss record doesn't show it. He's the league's seventh-ranked passer and could be going against a secondary down two starters.
On the other hand, Fields has regressed in his third year as a pro. He's the 31st-ranked passer through three games and is on pace for his worst year in passer rating (67.7), completion percentage (58.8) and yards per throw (6.0). And things aren't looking up without his starters on the left side of the line.
He's had 19 fumbles since last season, most in the league.
In summary, there's a good chance Payton, a Super Bowl-winning coach with the Saints, has gotten his message across that jobs could be on the line unless the team plays with much more gusto. His guys likely will come out like gangbusters.
Prediction: Broncos minus points and over.
How to Watch Broncos vs. Bears
Date: Sunday, Oct. 1, 2023
Kickoff: 11 a.m. EDT
Location: Soldier Field — Chicago
Where to Watch: CBS
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