The Denver Broncos and the Chicago Bears meet Sunday in NFL action from Soldier Field. Denver last played the Dolphins, taking a rough 50-point blowout loss. As for Chicago, they played the Chiefs in Week 3. The Bears would go on to fall in a blowout. Check back all season long for free NFL picks at Sports Chat Place.
Denver Broncos
The Broncos came up empty over their first two games of the year, but the good news is that the team was competitive. Denver opened up against the rival Raiders, eventually falling 17-16 after a 13-10 halftime lead. QB Russell Wilson finished with 177 yards and two TDs in the defeat. Game two was another close loss, this time 35-33 against Washington.
Denver played the Dolphins in their third outing of the year and couldn’t have performed much worse. The Broncos coughed up double-digit points in all four quarters on the way to a 70-20 loss. Wilson had 306 passing yards with a score and an interception. Coen Sutton led the receivers on 91 yards and a TD, while Javonte Williams topped the rush with 42 yards.
Denver Broncos Team Facts
The Broncos have lost each of their last five games as road favorites.
The Broncos have failed to cover the spread in 11 of their last 12 games as favorites.
The Broncos have scored the first touchdown in eight of their last 10 Week 4 games.
The Broncos have lost the first quarter in five of their last six games as road favorites.
The Broncos have lost the first half in five of their last six games against NFC opponents.
Chicago Bears
Over on the Bears’ side, they struggled in their first two games of the year as well. Chicago took on the Packers in the opener and ended up losing 38-20 after giving up 28 points in the second half. In game two against the Buccaneers, Chicago trailed 13-10 at halftime and never got closer in a 27-17 loss to fall to 0-2.
In their matchup versus the Chiefs back on Sunday, the Bears were down 41-0 going into the fourth quarter. A few cosmetic points later Chicago had a 41-10 loss for an 0-3 start. QB Justin Fields managed 99 pass yards, a TD and a pick while also leading the rush on 47 yards. DJ Moore caught the TD pass as part of three receptions for 41 yards.
Chicago Bears Team Facts
The Bears have lost each of their last 14 Sunday games.
The Bears have failed to cover the spread in each of their last eight games against teams that held a losing record.
The Bears have scored the first touchdown in five of their last six home games against AFC opponents.
The home team has won the first quarter in seven of the Bears’ last eight Week 4 games.
The favorites have won the first half in each of the Bears’ last six Week 4 games.
Matchup/League Facts
The Bears ranked 32nd in the NFL in points allowed per game (27.2) last season
The Bears ranked 1st in the NFL in rushing yards per game (177.3) last season
The Broncos ranked 32nd in the NFL in points per game (16.9) last season
The Broncos ranked 32nd in the NFL in average kickoff return (17.5 yards) last season
ANDREW’S FREE PICK
I’ll probably stick with the Bears, but I’m also probably not touching it. There’s not a lot to like about this matchup, but the good news is that someone will get a victory. Chicago limped to just 203 total yards (87 passing), 11 first downs, two turnovers and a 4-of-12 rate on third-down tries. The Chiefs are a very good team, but the Bears put up zero fight whatsoever in another ugly loss.
As for Denver, let’s recite a few defensive stats from their dud versus the Dolphins: 726 yards allowed (350 rushing), 10.2 yards per play, 31 first downs, 33:21 in time of possession, zero takeaways and only a slightly worse performance than the offense. The Broncos will most certainly look better here (it’s hard to look worse) but I don’t think they’ll cover/win.
