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Broncos seek third straight win against Bears

Nov 25, 2007 - 11:29 AM Denver (5-5) at Chicago (4-6) 4:15 pm EST

CHICAGO (Ticker) -- In the last four seasons, it took at least 11 wins to win the AFC West. This year, nine victories may be enough to capture the division.

That is good news for the Denver Broncos, who seek their third straight victory on Sunday when they visit the Chicago Bears.

After suffering an embarrassing 44-7 loss at Detroit on November 4, the Broncos' season appeared to be spiraling out of control.

But safety John Lynch called a team meeting after the debacle to the Lions, and the Broncos have responded with a pair of wins, including Monday's 34-20 victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars.

That was enough to get the Broncos back into a first-place tie with the San Diego Chargers in a mediocre division.

Against the Jaguars, Jay Cutler led the Broncos to a season high in points against the league's second-ranked defense. He completed 16-of-21 passes for 200 yards and threw touchdown passes of 48 and 41 yards.

The Broncos, however, have injury concerns in the backfield as they were forced to use third-string tailback after rookie Selmon Young left last week's game with a sprained knee.

Reserve running back Andre Hall provided a spark with a 62-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter - the first of his career - after the Jaguars had pulled within 27-20.

Travis Henry has missed the last three games with a partially torn ligament in his left knee.

After Brian Griese started Chicago's previous six games, Rex Grossman was back in as the Bears' starter last week.

Grossman passed for 266 yards - his highest total since throwing for 282 yards in a playoff win last season against Seattle. But he could not produce a victory as the Bears (4-6) suffered a damaging 30-23 setback at Seattle.

The defeat continued an up and down season for Chicago, which has alternated wins and losses in its last six games.

The defending NFC champions are in danger of falling out of playoff contention, trailing the Detroit Lions by two games for the final wild card spot.