Chicago @ Denver preview

Last Meeting ( Aug 18, 2018 ) Chicago 24, Denver 23

Two teams looking to bounce back from disappointing season openers square off Sunday as the Chicago Bears visit the Denver Broncos. Chicago came out on top on the stat sheet against Green Bay at home but dropped a 10-3 decision while Denver suffered a 24-16 loss in Oakland that was not as close as the scoreboard indicated.

The Bears, who got on the board first, topped the Packers in first downs (16-13) and total yards (254-213) while Mitchell Trubisky (228) threw for more yards than Aaron Rodgers (203). Chicago was unable to establish the run, however, as it totaled 46 yards on 15 carries - with its longest play going for eight yards. Denver was kept off the scoreboard by Oakland in the first half on Monday and was limited to three field goals after intermission before finding the end zone with just over two minutes remaining. Joe Flacco completed 21-of-31 passes for 268 yards in his debut for the Broncos, whose defense allowed the Raiders to go 10-for-14 on third-down attempts.

TV: 4:25 p.m. ET, FOX. LINE: Bears -2.5. O/U: 40.5

ABOUT THE BEARS (0-1): Chicago allowed Trubisky to be sacked five times by Green Bay and now faces a defense that features one of the NFL's top pass rushers in Von Miller, but tackle Charles Leno Jr. is confident in his ability to protect his quarterback this week. "I'm not saying I got a handle (on it)," Leno told reporters. "I've still got to go out there and do my job and perform. But going against those guys (Khalil Mack and Leonard Floyd) in practice every day. I mean, how much more difficult is it going to get?" Tight end Trey Burton has practiced on a limited basis this week after missing the season opener with a groin injury and hopes to play in Week 2.

ABOUT THE BRONCOS (0-1): Courtland Sutton got off to a good start in his quest to avoid a sophomore jinx as he made seven catches for a game-high 120 yards. "I thought he made some catches in traffic and had strong hands," Flacco told reporters of the 23-year-old. "I thought he did a good job getting some yardage after the catch also. It wasn't like he was wide-open, but he's a big, physical guy that I can feel comfortable throwing the ball to in some of those situations." Cornerback Bryce Callahan, whose 2018 season ended in Week 14 due to a foot injury, missed this year's opener with - according to coach Vic Fangio - the "same issue" but was a limited participant in Thursday's practice.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Broncos LB Todd Davis practiced on Wednesday for the first time since suffering a calf injury on July 18 and hopes to make his season debut this week.

2. Chicago on Wednesday claimed TE J.P. Holtz off waivers from Washington and waived DT Abdullah Anderson, who was signed to the team's practice squad the following day.

3. Denver placed Tim Patrick (hand) on injured reserve and signed fellow WR River Cracraft, who was waived earlier this month after appearing in eight games for the team last year.

PREDICTION: Bears 27, Broncos 13