Chicago Bears vs. Denver Broncos: Midway Monsters Will Stall the Tebow Train
Published by Joe Rapolla Jr. on December 10, 2011
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Chicago Bears
The line: Chicago Bears (+3.5) visiting Denver Broncos
I don’t think that anyone thought in Week 1 that this matchup would feature a Denver Broncos squad that is a.) 7-5 and b.) favored.
That’s why we love the NFL, though. It is full of surprises. The Broncos have turned it around since opening up 1-4 and have become one of the hottest stories in sports, thanks in large part to their quarterback and media poster boy, Tim Tebow. Aside from Tebow, however, the Denver defense is easily the most improved of this season. They were giving up only 15 points per game before last week’s 35-32 win over the Minnesota Vikings.
So why will the Bears win this game? Simple: their defense. The Bears have one of the best front sevens in the NFL, led by veteran All-Pro linebacker Brian Urlacher and All-Pro defensive end Julius Peppers. This defense will be able to exploit the Denver offensive line and get to Tebow. Denver has been one of the worst teams on third down (32.1 percent conversion), and there will no doubt be a ton of three-and-outs by both sides in this game.
With Tebow under pressure, he will not be able to show off his improved passing game that we have seen in recent weeks. Add in the fact that Tebow and running back Willis McGahee will be bottled up, and the Denver offense will become flatter than old soda. With the exception of one touchdown, it will be the Matt Prater show for Denver.
That brings us to the Chicago offense, which is, without quarterback Jay Cutler and running back Matt Forte, putrid.
Forte alone was responsible for more than 50 percent of the Bears’ offensive production. His injury is a real shame to not only him but the Bears as a team, who already lost Cutler two weeks ago.
What’s being forgotten, however, is that the Bears’ now-starting running back is Marion Barber, who is no scrub. Barber is by no means a four-down back, yet he has the experience and ability to have a breakout game. The Denver run defense still has many holes, especially since they often ignore the running back in lieu of aggressively pursuing the quarterback. Barber will be able to have a 100-plus yard game and easily reach the end zone once.
The final x-factor in this game will be Bears quarterback Caleb Hanie’s ability to protect the ball. He can’t throw the stupid picks that we saw him throw against Kansas City. I expect to see a more controlled and timid Hanie step onto the field on Sunday, and he will be playing the role of game manager more than quarterback.
When it’s all said and done, Chicago will win a close one, beating Denver 19-16. The Tebow train will be stalled, the media will go back to saying why he is awful and the Bears’ playoff hopes will be rejuvinated.
Read more Chicago Bears news on BleacherReport.com
