Denver beat Chicago as Brock Osweiler throws for two TDs
Monday 23 November 2015 15:56, UK
Broncos quarterback Brock Osweiler emerged victorious in his first career NFL start as Denver defeated the Bears 17-15 in Chicago.
Filling in for the injured Peyton Manning, Osweiler threw for a pair of touchdowns, and the Broncos defence then stopped Jeremy Langford on a two-point conversion run in the final minute to secure a narrow victory.
It was a first win in three for the AFC West-leading Broncos, who took their record to 8-2, while the Bears, who are led by former Denver head coach John Fox, slipped to 4-6.
Five-time NFL MVP Manning stayed in Denver because of injuries to his foot, ribs and shoulder but Osweiler produced a solid performance in his place, completing 20 of his 27 passes for 250 yards, plus the pair of scores.
On the day he turned 25, Osweiler began impressively, lobbing an early pass to wide receiver Demaryius Thomas, who took it 48 yards for a touchdown.
The Bears tried to respond but were kept at bay by the tough Denver defence and had to settle for a pair of Robbie Gould field goals.
But it was 10-6 to the visitors at half-time, Brandon McManus kicking a 24-yard field-goal just before the interval.
Gould then reduced the deficit to a single point when he kicked a 37-yard field goal in the third quarter.
However, Osweiler replied by hitting Cody Latimer with a 10-yard score early in the fourth quarter to make it 17-9.
Jay Cutler then led the Bears down the field in the closing stages and Langford capped a 65-yard drive by going over from two yards out.
However, he ran into a crowed when he tried to tie the game on the two-point attempt and the Broncos escaped with a victory.
Ronnie Hillman ran for 102 yards for Denver while Cutler threw for 265 yards for the Bears but was intercepted once.
Osweiler's mother and father were in the crowd at Soldier Field and he said: "My parents are the two most supportive parents in the world.
"My brother was here as well, my wife was here. It's a very special family day.
"I don't think it was anything about proving (myself), it's just a team victory. The defence played lights out.
"It's been a long process. I haven't wasted a single day when I've been sitting behind Peyton. I've been learning on and off the field."
