Chicago 16 – Denver 14

Spread – Chicago – 2 ( Push)

 

This was a rock fight until the final few minute when 11 points were scored. This game will be remembered for questionable penalties and time management by NFL officials. A terrible roughing the passer penalty on Bradley Chubb extended the Chicago drive and then they were given a gift by the officials when Allen Robinson was tackled with no time left. The officiating crew then announced that the Bears had used their final timeout which set up the 53 – yard game winning field goal by Eddy Pineiro. Chicago saved their season for at least another week and the Broncos are a desperate team after starting 0-2 for the first time since 1999.

 

Notes

Chicago again struggled badly on offense and Mitchell Trubisky has a QBR of 27.5 to start the season. He looks completely uncomfortable and the offense looks lost. It’s laughable that bettors actually put hard earned money on Trubisky to win the MVP.

It does look like the Bears have settled on David Montgomery to be the featured back. He had 18 carries in the game and scored at touchdown.

Tarik Cohen has been a non- factor to start the season. He is an explosive player that is only averaging 5.6 yards per catch and only has 18 yards on the ground.

Chicago has a great defense and they will need to be great most games for the Bears to be successful. Something to keep in mind with the Bears – two out of the past three games dating back to last season’s playoffs, the Chicago defense has not been able to close out games. In the playoffs Nick Foles had a game winning drive and last weekend they couldn’t stop Joe Flacco and a suspect Broncos offense from driving and taking the lead with less then a minute remaining.

Denver will have very little success if Phillip Lindsay does not get going on the ground. Lindsay has 79 yards in two games and has struggled. Royce Freeman is actually leading the team in rushing with 110 yards and is averaging 5.2 yard a carry.

Emmanuel Sanders is off to a great start with 16 catches on 20 targets. He has 184 yards and two touchdowns and has been the big play threat the offense desperately needs. It’s remarkable when you consider just last December he tore his Achilles.

 

 

Chicago opened up -4  in their week three match-up at Washington.

Denver opened up + 7.5 next week at Green Bay.

 

Follow Shawn on Twitter @SBurnsFootball