Denver Broncos-Chicago Bears: Keys to game and who will win

Denver Broncos (7-2) at Chicago Bears (4-5)

Sunday, 1:00 p.m. ET, at Soldier Field, Chicago - TV: CBS

*TV announcers: Ian Eagle, Dan Fouts, Evan Washburn

*Keys to the game: The temptation is there for Broncos coach Gary Kubiak to shrink the playbook and go conservative with Brock Osweiler in his first career start. While his defense has proved up to the task, the predictable play sheet works in the favor of the Bears.

Chicago's coaching staff, primarily coordinator Adam Gase and head coach John Fox, has the complete book on Osweiler from having coached him the past two years. The Bears are playing improved team defense for coordinator Vic Fangio, but personnel matchups still favor Denver.

The Bears are thrilled with the output of rookie RB Jeremy Langford in two starts with Pro Bowler Matt Forte (knee) on the mend, but the credit belongs to a mishmash offensive line playing well above its skis. The likes of LT Charles Leno, who held Robert Quinn in check last week at St. Louis, have come together to become a stellar crutch in front of QB Jay Cutler.

Denver's man coverage in the secondary is superior to any team the Bears have faced this season, and it's not even close. With just one reliable outside receiver, Alshon Jeffery, Cutler can keep the Bears moving only if Langford and Forte -- if he's cleared after missing the past 10 quarters with a sprained MCL -- produce another big game.

*Matchup to watch - Bears LCB Tracy Porter vs. Broncos WR Demaryius Thomas: Porter and Kyle Fuller are likely to share the burden of shadowing Thomas. He has the size and speed to beat either consistently depending on how aggressive the Broncos choose to be.

*Player spotlight - Bears K Robbie Gould: In two career games against the Broncos, Gould has one game-winner (2007) and watched his counterpart do the same (2011). Gould is 20 of 23 on field-goal tries this season, including 4 of 5 from 50-plus.

*Fast facts: Broncos quarterbacks have thrown 18 interceptions, five more than any other team this season. ... Cutler's passer rating has been 88.4 or better in every game since the opener against Green Bay. He has a 107.3 rating over the past three games.

FRIDAY INJURY REPORT

DENVER BRONCOS

--Out: QB Peyton Manning (foot, rib cage), LB DeMarcus Ware (back)

--Questionable: WR Emmanuel Sanders (ankle, finger), DE Antonio Smith (hip), DE Vance Walker (shoulder)

--Probable: S David Bruton (quadricep), TE Owen Daniels (knee, shoulder), TE Virgil Green (finger), T Ryan Harris (knee), RB Ronnie Hillman (quadricep), C Matt Paradis (elbow), LB Shane Ray (knee), LB Danny Trevathan (rib cage), G Louis Vasquez (back), DE Derek Wolfe (solar plexus)

CHICAGO BEARS

--Out: WR Eddie Royal (knee)

--Questionable: RB Matt Forte (knee), WR Alshon Jeffery (groin, shoulder), LB Shea McClellin (knee), LB Pernell McPhee (knee)

--Probable: T Jermon Bushrod (shoulder), C Hroniss Grasu (neck), S Antrel Rolle (ankle)

WHO WILL WIN AND WHY

With CB Aqib Talib back, the Broncos are closer to full strength on a defense determined to prove a point to its former coach, and that's enough to nudge Brock Osweiler to a victory in his first career start.

*Our pick: Broncos 23-16.