Bears predictions: Week 2 at Broncos

The Sun-Times’ experts offer their picks for the Bears’ first road game of the season Sunday against the Broncos:

RICK MORRISSEY

Broncos 13-10

A complete overreaction to the Bears’ awful loss to Green Bay last week? Possibly, but it’s hard to rustle up confidence after the way Mitch Trubisky and the offense performed. Denver’s thin air and Broncos coach Vic Fangio’s familiarity with his old team will cancel any offensive bounce-back the Bears have. Season: 0-1

RICK TELANDER

Bears 20-17

If the Bears lose this game, they might want to blame the altitude. Or the ghost of Peyton Manning. Or maybe John Denver for singing about a Rocky Mountain High. Or legal pot shops. Because there is no rational excuse available. Call this a must win. Season: 0-1

PATRICK FINLEY

Bears 12-6

The defense that held Aaron Rodgers to 10 points now gets to feast on Joe Flacco, who is as bad in navy as he was last year in purple. The question remains, though: do the Bears make four field goals? Score a defensive touchdown but miss the extra point? Does Trubisky (gasp!) throw a successful deep pass? Season: 0-1

MARK POTASH

Bears 20-16

The Bears figure to bounce back after shaking off the rust in Week 1. Then again, after falling for the notion that the Bears’ offense would be ready for the Packers just by facing the Bears’ defense all preseason, there is zero trust factor here. Season: 0-1.

JASON LIESER

Bears 20-9

It won’t be an eruption, but the Bears will bounce back solidly from their season-opening loss to the Packers. Look for a more well-rounded performance by the offense, including a more committed running game with David Montgomery, and the same old defense Fangio remembers. Season: 0-1