Broncos Beat Bears in Pre-Season

By ESPN

Mark Sanchez made a strong opening argument for the Denver Broncos' starting quarterback job, throwing for 99 yards and a touchdown in the first quarter, and the defending Super Bowl champions beat the Chicago Bears 22-0 in the preseason opener on Thursday night.

Sanchez came through with just the sort of performance he needed if he's going to beat out Trevor Siemian.

He completed 10 of 13 passes in the first quarter and led a game-opening 76-yard touchdown drive. He was intercepted on the Broncos' second possession when Jerrell Freeman picked off a tipped pass.

But overall? Not bad.

Sanchez maintained his cool against Chicago's pressure and kept the opening drive going by completing three third-down passes -- including a 32-yard TD to a wide open Demaryius Thomas along the right side.

As for Siemian, the former Northwestern star looked comfortable throwing short passes and was 7 of 12 for 88 yards in the second quarter.

It was a rough start for a Bears team looking for more after going 6-10 in coach John Fox's first season.

Jay Cutler threw for 18 yards and got sacked twice in the first quarter. Brian Hoyer threw for 81 yards in the second period but was sacked three times.

On a positive note for the Bears, Alshon Jeffery played after being limited by a strained hamstring and caught a 12-yard pass. And Kevin White caught his first pass for Chicago after missing his rookie season because of a fractured shin.

Thursday, August 11 Preseason Scores

Atlanta 23, Washington 17

Philadelphia 17, Tampa Bay 9

New England 34, New Orleans 22

Baltimore 22, Carolina 19

New York Jets 17, Jacksonville 13

Denver 22, Chicago 0

Friday, August 12 Schedule (All Times Central)

Detroit at Pittsburgh, 6 p.m.

Miami at New York Giants, 6 p.m.

Minnesota at Cincinnati, 6:30 p.m.

Cleveland at Green Bay, 7 p.m.

Oakland at Arizona, 9 p.m.

Saturday, August 13 Schedule (All Times Central)

Seattle at Kansas City, 3:30 p.m.

Indianapolis at Buffalo, 6 p.m.

Dallas at Los Angeles, 7 p.m.

San Diego at Tennessee, 7 p.m.

Sunday, August 14 Schedule (Time Central)

Houston at San Francisco, 6 p.m.