Bears at Broncos
By Brian Edwards
For a preseason game, the atmosphere at Invesco Field should be testy Sunday night in the Mile High City. That’s because the Broncos’ former quarterback Jay Cutler, who recently rated Denver as a “six” for an NFL city, will return as the starting QB of the Chicago Bears after he forced a trade during the offseason.
By now, everyone knows the story. After Denver fell apart down the stretch last season to miss the playoffs, owner Pat Bowlen sensed that it was time for a change and fired long-time head coach and two-time Super Bowl winner Mike Shanahan. He replaced Shanahan with 32-year-old Josh McDaniels, who had served as the offensive coordinator for New England under legendary coach Bill Belichick.
The McDaniels-Cutler saga began when word came out that the new coach was trying to acquire quarterback Matt Cassel, who enjoyed a breakout year for the Pats in 2008. From there, Cutler cut off all communication with McDaniels and didn’t even return phone calls from Bowlen.
Therefore, the Broncos granted Cutler his wish and traded him to Chicago, receiving draft picks and veteran QB Kyle Orton in return. And that’s another subplot in this game, as Orton will be facing his former teammates for the first time and making his debut at Invesco, where he was booed after struggling during a scrimmage open to the public three weeks ago.
Las Vegas Sports Consultants opened Denver as a 1½-point favorite with a total of 37½. As of early Saturday night, most books had the Broncos as 2½-point ‘chalk’ with the total adjusted to 38. The Bears are plus-125 on the money line (risk $100 to win $125).
Not only is Cutler expecting to hear it from the sure-to-be-unruly crowd, but he also expects the Broncos to come after him. And those defensive players will be glad to punish him if given the opportunity.
“In practice, you never really got to hit him," Denver defensive end Kenny Peterson told the Associated Press. "But now you've actually got a chance, if you can get to him, to lay your body on him a little bit."
LB Mario Haggan added, “It definitely would be nice to get Jay on the ground, give the fans something to cheer about and something to look forward to."
Denver will be without Pro-Bowl WR Brandon Marshall, who was suspended for the rest of the preseason for insubordination after showing his ass at practice earlier this week. In addition, second-string QB Chris Simms is “out” and rookie RB Knowshon Moreno is “doubtful.” WR Brandon Lloyd is “questionable.”
The Broncos have lost their first two preseason games, although they did cover the number in a 17-16 loss at San Francisco as 1½-point road underdogs. Seattle beat up on Denver by a 27-13 count last week as a three-point home favorite.
Orton was awful against the 49ers, completing 9-of-16 passes for 89 yards with three interceptions. He improved last week, guiding the Broncos to 10 points in the first quarter. Orton finished the night with 18 completions on 26 attempts for 182 yards with one touchdown and one interception.
With Simms sidelined, gamblers should expect Denver rookie QB Tom Brandstater from out of Fresno St. to get most of the snaps at crunch time. Another key player for the Broncos could be rookie WR Kenny McKinley, the all-time leader in receiving yards at the University of South Carolina, who has five receptions for 90 yards and one TD in preseason play.
Chicago lost its preseason opener 27-20 at Buffalo as a thee-point underdog. Cutler was somewhat shaky in that outing, connecting on 5-of-10 passes for 64 yards with an interception.
He was much more effective last week, hitting on 8-of-13 attempts for 121 yards with one touchdown and no picks. Cutler led the Bears to a 17-3 home win over the Giants as three-point ‘chalk.’
Caleb Hanie will get most of the reps at QB when Cutler leaves the game. Hanie is a second-year QB from out of Colorado St.
NBC will provide television coverage at 8:00 p.m. Eastern.
**B.E.’s Bonus Nuggets**
When I’m working, I almost always have the television on some sporting event. On Thursday, I had the Eagles-Jags game going because I wanted to see Michael Vick’s debut. Unfortunately for me, I was on the Jags’ network with their announcers, including former OT Tony Boselli. We all know Boselli was a sensational offensive lineman for the Jags and after listening to him for way too long the other night, I also know he’s the worst analyst I’ve EVER heard on television. I would rather have my toenails slowly removed than listen to him again. It was so painful!
Tampa Bay has named Byron Leftwich as its starting quarterback, so don’t be surprised if Luke McCown gets traded in the next 48-72 hours.
vegasinsider.com.
Sunday Night Football: Bears at Broncos
By Nick Parsons
Chicago Bears at Denver Broncos (-2.5, 38.5)
Drama, Drama, Drama
It looks like NBC will get a head start on the Sunday night prime time ratings race and as far as preseason games go. They couldn't have scripted it any better.
Former Broncos QB Jay Cutler returns to Denver, after an over-dramatic clash with first-year coach Josh McDaniels which led to a trade with Chicago for Kyle Orton in the offseason.
Add to that the drama surrounding disgruntled WR Brandon Marshall, who was recently suspended by McDaniels for conduct detrimental to the team, and you have the makings of an exciting Sunday night.
Marshall can be seen on tape acting like a four-year-old child at a recent practice, refusing to run in drills and swatting down balls tossed to him during a passing drill. The Broncos are still trying to work out the quirks of a complicated offensive system – with or without their No. 1 WR.
If this is how the season is starting out, then ABC better come up with a better drama than "Defying Gravity".
Cutler vs. Orton
While it’s quite a stretch to use a preseason game to judge a trade, both coaches plan to play their starters well into the third quarter. Week 3 serves as a preview for starters. Most of them will get little playing time in Week 4.
This gives the fans at Invesco Field ample opportunity to boo their former QB or get on the case of their new one.
Kyle Orton struggled to learn the new offense, throwing three interception in his first game against the 49ers. There was a bit of improvement in last week's loss against Seattle. Orton took more snaps and went 18-for-26 for 182 yards and 1 TD.
McDaniels will give Orton more playing time than usual Sunday. He is still adjusting to the new scheme but claims he's made steady improvement. Back up QB Chris Simms challenged for the starting role with two decent performances but is out with an injury, leaving only rookie QB Tom Brandstater and newly-signed Ingle Martin on the bench.
Cutler meanwhile claims that the game is no big deal stating that, "“It doesn’t count for anything. We just want to go out there and play well and execute our offense."
But after having thrown for 4,526 yards last year and then having rookie coach McDaniels come into the picture and go after Matt Cassel, one would be hard pressed to not think that the pro bowler would want to prove a point. Especially when it "doesn't count".
Cutler has been impressive in the preseason going 8-for-13 for 121 yards and 1 TD in his last game against the Giants. He'll be backed up by Caleb Haine who has gone 11-for-18 for 150 yards and 1 TD in his two preseason games.
Been here before
The debut of Broncos FS Brain Dawkins is being overshadowed Sunday. He has been out because of surgery for a fractured hand. The seven-time pro bowler should provide a bit of relief for CB Champ Bailey who has had to carry the load for the secondary.
Dawkins claims that the distractions from Cutler and Marshall won't impact his defense. He had to deal with Terrell Owens’ drama back in Philadelphia. He recently told the Colorado Springs Gazette that it was "A lot crazier with T.O".
Bears Quick Bits
- The Chicago Bears recently lost locker room-favorite DT Dusty Dvoracek for the season. He is not the only Bear on defense that is out. There are several first and second-team Linebackers that are not expected to play.
- While Jay Cutler gives the Bears their best QB in years, many are forgetting about newly acquired LT Orlando Pace, who has fit in nicely with the team.
- Devin Hester is expected to return some punts Sunday night.
- The No. 3 WR spot is still open but Devin Aromashodu has the edge on Brandon Rideau and Rashied Davis and also Cutler's approval.
Broncos Quick Bits
- First-round draft pick RB Knowshon Moreno and veteran RB LaMont Jordan are not expected to play.
- Correll Buckhalter should receive the bulk of the carries, but expect Darius Walker to get some touches as well. He rushed 48 yards in his last game.
- With Chris Simms injured, the Broncos signed Ingle Martin, but he has only been with the team for a couple of days, so expect Tom Brandstater to finish off the game
Line Movement and Weather
Line opened in favor of the home side at -1 and has since been pushed out to -2.5, while the total has been hovering from 37.5 to 38.5. Both the Bears and Broncos are 1-1 ATS in preseason this year and 1-1 on the O/U.
Bears coach Lovie Smith is 12-11 in preseason and 9-12-2 ATS
Weather might play a slight factor. There is a 30 percent chance of thunderstorms in the evening and temperature is expected to be in the low 50s.
NFL PRESEASON
Chicago (1-1 SU and ATS) at Denver (0-2, 1-1 ATS)
New Bears QB Jay Cutler didn’t have to wait long to get a shot at his old team as Chicago travels to Invesco Field to square off against the Broncos and rookie coach Josh McDaniels, the man who traded Cutler in the offseason.
In getting dealt to Chicago, Cutler ended up swapping places with former Bears starting QB Kyle Orton, who makes his debut in front of the home fans in Denver after a tumultuous first two preseason games that has seen him throw for 271 yards, but also toss four INTs and just one TD. Last week, Orton had one TD and one pick in the Broncos’ 27-13 loss in Seattle as a three-point ‘dog.
Orton and the rest of the Broncos starters will play the first three quarters tonight, with third-stringer Tom Brandstater leading the offense in the final quarter. No. 2 QB Chris Simms, who has been Denver’s most consistent passer in camp, will not suit up because of an ankle injury. In addition to Simms, the Broncos will be without the services of rookie RB Knowshon Moreno tonight (knee), WR Brandon Lloyd (undisclosed injury) or WR Brandon Marshall (team suspension).
The Bears scored a 17-3 home win over the Giants a week ago, cashing as three-point favorites. Coach Lovie Smith plans to play his starters, including Cutler, into the third quarter. Cutler has thrown for 185 yards in the first two preseason games, with one TD and one INT. Backup QB and second-year pro Caleb Hanie is likely to replace Cutler and play the rest of the game, leaving veteran reserve Brett Basanez as the odd man out. WR Devon Hester is slated to return punts tonight, his first duties on special teams this August.
Chicago is just 6-5 SU and ATS on the highway the last five-plus preseasons and it is just 2-4 SU and 1-5 ATS in Week 3 of the preseason the last six years, including 0-3 ATS in the past three summers.
The Broncos are 6-2 SU but just 4-4 ATS in their last eight preseason home games and just 1-4 SU and ATS in its last four exhibition contests overall.
The over is 7-3 in Chicago’s last 10 preseason contests and 4-2 in Denver’s last six in August.
ATS ADVANTAGE: OVER
Gametimepicks.com
Bronco-Busters
By SportsPic
After an opening loss to Buffalo the Bears bounced back in week-two with a 17-3 defeat of the Giants in a game that saw strong-arm Jay Cutler complete 8-of-13 passes for 121 yards, 1 TD putting to rest any doubts after his sub-par performance vs Bills. Bears 12-11 (10-12-1 ATS) in August under Lovie Smith but just 2-3 (1-4 ATS) during dress-rehearsal week have been pegged +2.5 to +3 point underdogs heading into Denver to take on Broncos and new head coach Josh McDaniels who are 0-2 (1-1 ATS) this practice season losing the opener 17-16 at San Francisco followed by a 27-13 defeat at Seattle. Bears and QB Jay Cutler who no doubt carries a chip into this game could do a number on Broncos dreadful defense surrendering 318 yards, 5 TD's via air-ways in the two losses. Interesting note, home favorites haven't done well so far in week-three winning just 4-of-11 SU cashing two of the eleven contests (2-8-1 ATS). Betting on the NFL in August is a completely different exercise than betting on the same sport a month later.
Tips and Trends
Chicago Bears at Denver Broncos
Bears: The focus on this nationally televised matchup is on Jay Cutler returning to Denver where he played for three seasons. Cutler is downplaying the significance saying, “It doesn’t count for anything. We just want to go out there and play well and execute our offense.” The Bears have a quick turnaround hosting Cleveland on Thursday in their final preseason game. Cutler led the Bears to scores on the first three possessions – his only three series of the game – in last week’s 17-3 victory against the Giants. Cutler was 8-for-13 for 121 yards with a one-yard touchdown pass to tight end Desmond Clark. The game is important for several Chicago wide receivers that are on the bubble of making the team. Among them are Devin Aromashodu, Brandon Rideau, and veteran Rashied Davis along with tight end Michael Gaines and running back Adrian Peterson.
The Over has cashed in 10 of Chicago’s last 14 preseason games.
Key Injuries - Defensive tackle Dusty Dvoracek (knee), cornerback Charles Tillman (back) and safety Danieal Manning (hamstring) are out.
PROJECTED SCORE: 19
Broncos (-1.5, O/U 38): Kyle Orton isn’t getting the media attention Jay Cutler is, but he, too, is going against his former club. Orton was 21-12 as a starter for the Bears from 2005-2008. Orton began preseason with his new team throwing interceptions on each of his first three series in a Week 1 loss to San Francisco. He rebounded last week to go 18-for-26 for 182 yards with a touchdown and interception in a 27-13 loss to Seattle. Now he faces the Bears. “I know what they do,” Orton said about the Bears. “It’s not too hard to figure out. They are a very simple defense and they do what they do really well. I certainly know the personnel, so I hope it will be an advantage.” Backup quarterback Chris Simms is out with an ankle injury so sixth-round draft pick Tom Brandstater and newly-signed Ingle Martin will follow Orton.
Denver is 4-2 to the over in its last six preseason games.
Key Injuries - Quarterback Chris Simms (ankle) is out.
Running back Knowshon Moreno (knee) is doubtful.
PROJECTED SCORE: 20 (OVER - Total of the Day)