Denver Broncos vs. Chicago Bears; a game with an incredible amount of interconnectedness.
There’s John Fox, who was the Broncos head coach for four years, and is now the Bears head man. There’s Adam Gase, the former Broncos offensive coordinator, who holds that position in Chi-town now. On the Broncos side, Joe DiCamillis was the Bears’ special teams coordinator the last two years. And, it can’t be missed that Jay Cutler — a once divisive figure in Denver — is Chicago’s signal-caller.
Well, Chris Harris Jr. and the Denver defense are likely looking forward to playing Cutler and Chicago this Sunday and get back to winning ways.
While the Broncos have lost two straight games, they are still 7-2 overall and clearly in the lead of the AFC West, much thanks to their dominant defense. Denver’s D is No. 1 in the NFL in yards allowed (2,496), passing yards (1,645) and passing touchdowns (8) while they’re now third-best in points allowed (168).
Harris’ phenomenal and consistent play has been a big part of the Broncos success on defense; he has 36 total tackles with two interceptions — one pick-six — three passes defended and a forced fumble. This week, Harris’ cornerback teammate since college at Kansas Aqib Talib rejoins the Broncos following his one-game suspension. Talib completes the “No Fly Zone,” which includes safeties T.J. Ward, Darrian Stewart and nickel corner Bradley Roby.
Cutler, though, has been more accurate than usual this year, throwing only five interceptions through his first eight games. It means the “No Fly Zone” will have their work cut out for them.
“I think Adam Gase has him going in the right direction,” Harris said of Cutler on Wednesday. “The way their offense is running is almost similar to what we’ve done in the past. That’s what makes it easier for us as defensive guys or who’s been practicing against them for a while. I think Cutler is playing a lot smarter with the ball. I think that’s working for them.”
Harris has a point. While the cornerback admitted Fox, “He definitely has the inside scoop,” on the Denver defense, that D knows what Gase’s offense wants to do, as well. It sets up for what could be a great back-and-forth chess match between the Broncos and Bears at Soldier Field on Sunday morning.
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There is one big incentive here most seem to be overlooking….a win for Jay Cutler against not only the best D in the NFL right now on paper and the field, but a win against Denver to finally erase the bad taste in his mouth from his departure. And let’s not forget that Jay Cutler is arguably the most overlooked QB when it comes to his ability to stretch the play when he is getting outside the pocket or just picking the moment to pull it down and run it. Jay Cutler is having the best season he has had in the NFL when you consider everything in place and against the Bronco’s he is definitely going to look for every opportunity to bury this franchise in this game. And given the knowledge and history of Denver with Fox and Gase combined with that added incentive for Jay….I seriously think Denver may be in for a huge disappointment in Chicago this Sunday. Do not be surprised if Jay has a record day especially if A Jeffery is playing.