Broncos vs Bears

Broncos defense started on the field as they looked for redemption after last week's rough outing vs the Dolphins.

It was a great start for the Denver defense as they only gave up one first down before getting a TFL and a sack on Justin Fields by Nik Bonitto, forcing a punt early in the game. Considering the defense was missing Justin Simmons, Josey Jewell and Mike Purcell, it was a great start for a struggling/injured group.

The Broncos offense got their first shot starting from their own 16 yard line with 11:20 remaining in the 1st quarter. Russell Wilson and the Broncos offense moved efficiently down the field and, after several successful screen passes ended up punching it in on another screen pass, this to rookie Jaleel McLaughlin, for an 18 yard touchdown to give Denver their first lead of the game 7-0 with 5:08 remaining in the 1st quarter.

Now in an early hole, the Bears offense were back on the field for their 2nd drive of the game. An early completion to Darnell Mooney for 16 yards gave Chicago the ball around midfield. After a 4th and 1 conversion, Justin Fields continued the Bears' offensive march into Broncos territory. As the 2nd quarter began, Justin Fields threw a deep touchdown down the right sideline to DJ Moore who was able to get two feet down and tie up the game with a 29 yard touchdown.

Marvin Mims muffed the kickoff and was able to fall back on the ball but it set the offense up deep in their own territory at their 3 yard line. The Broncos offense was unable to do much with the ball, was forced to punt after a quick 3 and out giving the Bears the ball back at the Broncos 44 yard line with 13 minutes left in the 2nd quarter. After a quick completion to DJ Moore for 24 yards, Justin Fields was able to hit a wide open pass to Cole Kmet for a 22-yard touchdown, giving Chicago their first lead of the game 14-7. Justin Fields starting the game 9-9 for 139 yards and 2 TDs.

The Broncos offense, starting from their own 25 yard line, got a nice start to their 3rd drive with a 14-yard run by rookie Jaleel McLaughlin but went backwards from there with a 9 yard sack and a false start from RT Mike McGlinchey. Russ got a couple of quick completions to Sutton and Perine but it was too much ground to make up and the Broncos were forced to punt from their own 45 yard line.

Bears started their next drive from their 15 yard line and immediately moved into Broncos territory with 3 straight plays of 20+ yards. The 85 yard drive was capped off with a 3 yard touchdown pass to Cole Kmet, giving the Bears a 21-7 lead with 6:08 remaining in the 2nd quarter.

Denver needed some immediate help from the offense to get them back into the game. Unfortunately, after only one first down, the defense was going to head back out onto the field at the Chicago 16 yard line with 2:29 remaining in the half. The Bears moved quickly to midfield but their drive stalled after a Jonathon Cooper sack. Justin Fields finished the first half going 16-17 for 231 yards and 3 TDs, his only incompletion coming on the end of half Hail Mary. Russell Wilson, also efficient, went 12-13 for 88 yards and 1 TD.

The Broncos offense got the ball out of the 2nd half and, though Jaleel McLaughlin gave them a chance with a 3rd and 1, Quinn Meinerz had a false start that aided in ending the drive and the Broncos punted the ball back to the Bears trailing 21-7 with 13:37 remaining in the 3rd quarter.

Chicago's offense took the field at their 34 yard line and despite the fact that the Broncos defense was getting pressure on Justin Fields including the 2nd sack of the game by Nik Bonitto, the Bears moved quickly down the field including a 3rd and 10 conversion to DJ Moore. It didn't take much longer the Bears to build on their lead as Justin Fields found Khalil Herbert for a 2-yard touchdown pass, extending Chicago's lead 28-7 with 4:11 remaining in the 3rd quarter. Justin Fields with 4 touchdown passes (and counting).

Denver's offense had to get some points somehow and they FINALLY found some rhythm starting with a huge 34 yard run by Jaleel McLaughlin. Russell Wilson and the Broncos offense moved efficiently down the field with the quick pass game to their running backs and eventually completed a 4 yard touchdown pass to Brandon Johnson wide open in the back of the end zone. Chicago still leads the game, 28-14 with 14 seconds remaining in the 3rd quarter.

The Broncos defense needed to get the ball back into the offense's hands and they got a quick 3 and out which included a PBU by Delarrin Turner Yell.

Marvin Mims had a 25 yard punt return, setting the Denver offense at their own 34 yard line. Once again, Jaleel McLaughlin gave the Broncos a boost with the run game but it was Jerry Jeudy who came up with a couple of HUGE completions moving Denver quickly down the field and, on 3rd and 9, Russell Wilson found Courtland Sutton at the front of the end zone for a 13 yard touchdown, cutting the lead now to 28-21 with 9:36 remaining in the game.

The Broncos were back in it but could the defense get another stop? No, but they did even better when Nik Bonitto sacked Justin Fields, who fumbled the ball, and Jonathon Cooper picked it up and ran it in from 35 yards out to tie the game at 28!

With 6:55 remaining in the game, the Bears offense was back on the field now in a tie game. A massive scramble for 20 yards by Justin Fields on 3rd and 10, put Chicago in Broncos territory with the clock starting to wind. Khalil Herbert with some tough running, helped Chicago move into field goal range. The Bears opt to go for it at the Broncos 18 yard line and don't convert!

Taking over at their own 18 yard line, Russell Wilson immediately went deep to Marvin Mims for a 49 yard gain! After a couple of runs designed to run some clock, Wil Lutz converted a 51-yard field goal to give the Broncos their first lead since the beginning of the game 31-28.

With 1:46 remaining in the game, the Bears had a chance to try and tie the game or take the lead but Kareem Jackson came up with a game sealing interception to give the Broncos their first win of the season!

The next broadcast will be on Sunday, October 8th as the Broncos host the New York Jets at Empower Field at Mile High. Coverage on KOA starts at 8am MTN.

Below are interviews with Voice of the Broncos Dave Logan and Sean Payton, Russell Wilson and Alex Singleton along with Susie Wargin with Kareem Jackson and Samaje Perine.