Bears Take 7-0 LeadMarion Barber scored on a 9-yard run and Robbie Gould added the PAT to give Chicago a 7-0 lead over the Broncos with 5:19 to go in the third quarter.
A 26-yard punt return from Devin Hester set the Bears up at the Denver 42-yard line. From there, Barber ran the ball for 36 yards on five carries, the last of which ended with the 9-yard score.
After a touchback, the Broncos are now taking over at the 20.
Miller Ties Broncos Rookie RecordWith his third-quarter takedown of Bears quarterback Caleb Hanie, Von Miller increased his season sack total to 11.5.
That ties Miller with Rulon Jones for most sacks in team history by a rookie.
The Broncos now have three sacks — the other two came via D.J. Williams — in a game that remains scoreless with 10:29 remaining in the third quarter.
Click here to listen to the audio highlight from AM 850 KOA.
First Half RecapWe’ve got a defensive battle here today between the Broncos and Bears.
The first half has come to an end and it’s still scoreless, with both defenses controlling the game.
The Denver defense hasn’t allowed a third down conversion, with Chicago 0-for-5 in that category and the Bears have been limited to just 84 total yards of offense. D.J. Williams has two sacks and Chris Harris nearly came up with an interception in the closing moments of the half.
Offensively, the Broncos have amassed 135 total yards and they set up Matt Prater for a 28-yard field goal attempt. But the Bears blocked Prater’s effort at the 7:27 mark of the second quarter to keep the game tied 0-0.
It’s the eighth time in team history the Broncos and their opponent have been scoreless at half and Denver is 5-2 in those games.
Here are first half audio highlights courtesy of AM 850 KOA.
Broncos vs. Bears: Injury UpdatesBrian Dawkins has a neck injury and his return is questionable.
David Bruton is questionable to return as well with a calf injury.
Marcus Thomas is probable to return with a knee injury. UPDATE: Thomas has returned to the game.
Andre’ Goodman will not return to the game after suffering a concussion.
We’ll keep this blog updated with any further injury news.
Williams Notches Two SacksMidway through the second quarter, D.J. Williams has spearheaded a Broncos defense that has allowed just two first downs to the Bears offense.
Part of that effort has been Williams’ two sacks of quarterback Caleb Hanie.
It’s Williams’ second career multi-sack game, and he now has five quarterback takedowns on the season.
In addition, it marks the 12th consecutive game the Broncos have recorded at least two sacks, the longest active streak in the NFL this season.
Courtesy of 850 KOA, here is the play-call from Williams’ first sack, and here’s the second.
First Quarter RecapThe Broncos and Bears are scoreless after the first quarter of play.
D.J. Williams recorded a sack for the Denver defense, which has forced three punts.
The Denver offense was able to move the ball into Chicago territory thanks in large part to 23-yard catch from Matt Willis, but Tim Tebow was intercepted by Charles Tillman at the Bears’ 24-yard line late in the quarter.
Britton Colquitt has punted twice and Chicago return man Devin Hester has been forced to call for two fair catches.
Denver takes over on their own 29-yard line to start the second quarter.
Broncos Starters vs. ChicagoIn addition to the season-long teams captains of Brian Dawkins, Champ Bailey, Wesley Woodyard, Chris Kuper and Willis McGahee, Joe Mays walked out to midfield for the coin toss as today’s game captain.
The Bears called tails and won the toss, and elected to defer. The Broncos received to start the game.
The starting offense took the field with Tim Tebow at quarterback. Ryan Clady, Zane Beadles, J.D. Walton, Chris Kuper and Orlando Franklin make up the offensive line. Demaryius Thomas and Eric Decker are at receiver, Willis McGahee and Spencer Larsen are in the backfield and Daniel Fells is at tight end.
After a punt, the starting Denver defense lined up.
Elvis Dumervil, Brodrick Bunkley, Marcus Thomas and Robert Ayers make up the line. At linebacker are Von Miller, Joe Mays and D.J. Williams. In the secondary are Champ Bailey, Andre’ Goodman, Brian Dawkins and Quinton Carter.
Broncos vs. Bears: Pregame PhotosHere’s a look at pregame warmups from field level, courtesy of Eric Lars Bakke, Gabriel Christus and Ben Hays.
Click to continue reading “Broncos vs. Bears: Pregame Photos”
Broncos’ Week 14 TV Coverage
Courtesy of the506.com, here’s a look at which areas of the country will be able to see the Broncos-Bears game this afternoon.
FOX doesn’t have a double-header today, so areas get either an early game or a late game.
As you can see on the above map, the majority of the country will see the Broncos-Bears tilt (shaded blue) at 2:05 p.m. MST.
We’re a little more than an hour away from kickoff.
Broncos vs. Bears: Inactives
Just got official word of the Broncos inactives for today’s game.
Eddie Royal, Quinn Johnson, Mike Mohamed, Manny Ramirez, Tony Hills, Julius Thomas and Derrick Harvey will not suit up for this afternoon’s game against Chicago.
For the Bears, QB Jay Cutler, QB Nathan Enderle, RB Matt Forte, S Major Wright, G Ricky Henry, TE Andre Smith and DT Anthony Adams are inactive.