Bears Denver: Payton Runs Wild

When the Bears host Denver this Sunday, it will only be the 17th time the teams have played since the Broncos joined the NFL in the 1970s. The series is tied 8-8. This will only be the 8th time Denver has played in Chicago.

Denver beat the Bears 17-15 the the last time they played in Chicago.

Six of the games were played during Walter Payton’s career with the Bears. Payton’s longest run and his longest TD run came against the Broncos. In 1978, on a Monday night in Denver, Walter broke off his longest run in his career: A 76-yard run that had Dandy Don Meredith jumping out of his chair in the announcer’s booth. He rushed for 157 yards on just 22 carries in the loss at Denver.

On September 9, 1984, the Bears shutout against Denver at Soldier Field was highlighted by Payton’s longest career touchdown run. He galloped 72 yards around left end early in the second quarter. The Bears won handily 27-0, which is the only shutout in the history of the series.

This Week’s Matchup

The Broncos are limping into Chicago with an 0-3 record and coming off a defeat at the hands of the Miami Dolphins. In one the largest margins of defeat in league history, the Broncos lost by 50 points. Miami’s 70 points were just two points shy of the most points scored in a regular season game. Miami amassed an astounding 726 yards in last week’s blowout.

Chicago also limps into Soldier Field after another humiliating game. Their second lopsided loss in the first three games of the season has the Bears also stumbling out of the gait with an identical 0-3 record.

The Bears have been inept both offensively and on defense. Injuries have certainly played a part during the win-less start to 2023. The offensive line due to a lack of playing time as a unit has not performed well. On defense, the secondary is already banged up.

This has to be a game where we see some positive play from Fields and the offense. If not now, when?