The Denver Broncos will host the Chicago Bears on Sunday, Sept. 15, at 4:25 p.m. ET at Empower Field at Mile High on in Week 2. Here’s our quick preview of the game that will air on Fox:
Broncos’ keys to victory: Denver coach Vic Fangio, who served as the Bears’ defensive coordinator from 2015-2018, knows what it takes to rattle Chicago QB Mitch Trubisky. The Packers pressured the QB frequently in Week 1, sacking him five times. Flustered by Green Bay’s pressure, Trubisky ended the night with no touchdowns, one interception and a 62.1 passer rating. Broncos OLBs Von Miller and Bradley Chubb should be able to generate similar pressure in Week 2. On offense, QB Joe Flacco needs to manage the game and protect the football. The Bears’ defense ranked first in the NFL with 27 interceptions in 2018.
Bears’ keys to victory: Opposing tight ends caught 72 passes for 1,035 yards and six touchdowns against the Broncos’ defense last season so Chicago should get TE Trey Burton involved early and often. Burton missed last week’s season opener with a groin injury but the Bears are hopeful he will suit up in Week 2. Burton caught 54 passes for 569 yards and six TDs in 2018 and will prove to be a mismatch when covered by Denver’s linebackers. On defense, Chicago will need to slow down RBs Royce Freeman and Phillip Lindsay, who combined to gain 1,871 yards from scrimmage and scored 16 TDs last year.
Match-up to watch: Broncos LT Garett Bolles vs. Bears OLB Khalil Mack. Since entering the NFL in 2017, Bolles has been penalized for holding 14 times and has allowed 11.5 sacks. During that same two-year period, Mack has totaled 23 sacks. Sunday could be a long day for Bolles.
Who wins? The Broncos are 17-1 in home openers since 2011 and Fangio will have Denver ready to go against his former team. Broncos 24-17.
