The Denver Broncos now enter a must-win game in Week 4 versus the lowly Chicago Bears. Let's make some bold predictions for this crucial matchup. Folks, if you thought the Denver Broncos would be 0-3 after Week 3 of the 2023 NFL season, I'd like you to tell me the winning lottery numbers.
The Broncos have arguably been the most disappointing team in the NFL this year, but the same could also be said for their Week 4 opponent, the Chicago Bears. The one reason why I think the Bears are much worse than the Denver Broncos is because the Bears really have nothing working on offense or defense.
The Broncos at least have an efficient offense and QB, so there's that. However, both teams have the same record and I truly would not be surprised if Denver loses this game. Let's make some bold predictions for this Week 4 matchup, which I'm sure is going to draw excellent TV ratings...
4 bold predictions for the Denver Broncos in Week 4 vs. the Chicago Bears
1. Russell Wilson tallies four total touchdowns
The Chicago Bears defense will be the worst defense that Denver plays in 2023, or at least up to this point. The Bears really have no one of note on this side of the ball. The pass rush is bad. The linebackers are ineffective, and the secondary is toast. I get that Denver's defense is probably worse, but this bold prediction is simply about Russell Wilson going off against a bad opponent.
I think he tallies three touchdown passes to the air to three different players and has one rushing touchdown as well. We've seen Wilson use his legs numerous times this season, and several of his TD passes have come from making a play outside of the pocket. Russell Wilson truly looks like his old self, so I think this would be a great opportunity for him to have one of his "Let Russ Cook" games.
2. Denver's defense rebounds, holds Chicago to under 24 points
I would have wanted to be 100 miles within the Denver Broncos' facility during this week's game prep. I'm sure it was a pretty rough place to be initially. Well, Denver had arguably the worst defensive performance in NFL history in Week 3, giving up the second-most points in a game in the history of the league.
This was one of those instances where a firing would have been perfectly reasonable. Somehow, last week's game felt much worse than when the Broncos got embarrassed by the Los Angeles Rams on Christmas Day in 2022. Well, the one thing that I'll say about this defense is that it's littered with veterans who have been in the league for a while. If there's anyone who can simply erase a game from memory and move on, it's a Sean Payton-coached team and veteran players.
I could be totally wrong here, but this same defense has played excellent football before, so it's not like playing well in Week 4 would be new to them. I have faith that this unit can at least play average football and hold the worst offense in the NFL to less than 24 points. The Bears' offense is bad, folks.
Of course, if you think the Broncos' defense can make the Bears' offense look great, I would not blame you, but I just think this unit has a "get right" game against Justin Fields and Bears' OC, Luke Getsy.
3. Broncos score a defensive touchdown
Perhaps this is the week that the Denver Broncos' defense shows up for an entire game. Fortunately, if there is any opponent to score a defensive TD against, it's the Bears. Justin Fields is dreadfully bad; he stands in the pocket way too long and also isn't exactly being done any favors by his OL, which is below average.
A pick-six feels like the most likely form of said defensive TD. I understand that the secondary has been beaten pretty badly this season, but especially if Justin Simmons plays, I'd tend to pick Simmons, Kareem Jackson, and Patrick Surtain II over Fields.
4. The Denver Broncos WIN
Bold, right? The Denver Broncos are going to win on Sunday. I guarantee it. This is a pretty bad team on defense, but Sean Payton has been through tough stretches before as a head coach, so this is not new to them.
The Chicago Bears have also not won a football game in about one calendar year, and I am not about to sit my rear end down on the couch and watch my favorite team lose to Justin Fields and Matt Eberflus.