After trailing the Chicago Bears 28-7 in the third quarter, Denver Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson led a second-half comeback to secure the team’s first victory of the 2023 NFL season with a 31-28 win.
Denver started the game on defense with two changes to the starting lineup — Nik Bonitto started at outside linebacker in the place of Randy Gregory and Ja’Quan McMillian started in the place of Essang Bassey at slot cornerback.
Bonitto’s early sack helped the Broncos force the Bears into a 3-and-out on their opening drive and Chicago chose not to go for it on 4th-and-2 near midfield, opting to punt to Denver instead.
The Broncos then went on an 11-play, 84-yard drive that ended with quarterback Russell Wilson connecting on a screen pass to running back Jaleel McLaughlin for an 18-yard touchdown to take a 7-0 lead.
Chicago matched that score when Justin Fields connected with D. J. Moore on a 29-yard touchdown pass early in the second quarter to make it 7-7. On the ensuing kickoff, Denver rookie receiver Marvin Mims muffed the ball and recovered his own fumble before being tackled at the 4-yard line.
Pinned deep in their own territory, the Broncos were unable to pick up a first down and ended up punting back to the Bears. Chicago then went 44 yards and Fields threw a 22-yard touchdown pass to tight end Cole Kmet to make it 14-7.
Following another Denver punt, Fields led an 85-yard drive and threw another touchdown pass to Kmet to extend the lead to 21-7. At that point in the second quarter, Fields was 12-of-12 passing for 185 yards with three touchdowns.
In the second half, Fields threw a forth touchdown pass — a two-yard toss to running back Khalil Herbert — to make it 28-7. The Broncos finally scored again late in the third quarter when Wilson threw a four-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Brandon Johnson to make it 28-14.
After a Bears punt, Wilson later threw a 13-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Courtland Sutton to cut the deficit to 28-21 midway through the fourth quarter.
On Chicago’s next drive, Bonitto strip-sacked Fields and fellow pass rusher Jonathon Cooper recovered the fumble and returned it 35 yards for a touchdown to tie the game 28-28. The Bears then went 82 yards and got down to Denver’s 18-yard line before turning the ball over on downs.
Wilson then led a five-play, 48-yard drive that ended with a 51-yard Wil Lutz field goal to give the Broncos a 31-28 lead with under two minutes remaining. Chicago’s own comeback attempt fell short after Fields was intercepted by safety Kareem Jackson to seal the game.
On the injury front, Broncos running back Javonte Williams left the game in the first half with a hip injury and he did not return.
Up next for Denver is a home game against the New York Jets in Week 5.
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