Denver Broncos vs. Chicago Bears: 2007 Week 12 Recap

Game story

In Week 12 of the 2007 NFL season on 2007-11-25, the Chicago Bears took care of business against the Denver Broncos, pulling away with a 37–34 final that came down to the wire.

The highest-scoring period was Q3 with 28 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.

R. Grossman (Chicago Bears) paced the passing game, with -7.43 total EPA, and -10.6% completion percentage over expected.

On the individual side, B. Marshall (Denver Broncos) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +10.38 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.

The momentum swing (+30.3% win probability) landed in the fourth quarter when Chicago Bears changed the game: (:32) 8-R.Grossman pass short right to 80-B.Berrian for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN. The Replay Assistant challenged the pass completion ruling, and the play was Upheld.

Line score

Final score and points by quarter.

Stars of the game

Top performers by total expected points added (EPA) across passing, rushing, and receiving.

1. 1 B. Marshall · Denver Broncos · Receiving · +10.38 total EPA · 4 snaps · +2.59 EPA/play
2. 2 J. Cutler · Denver Broncos · Passing · +10.31 total EPA · 34 snaps · +0.30 EPA/play
3. 3 T. Scheffler · Denver Broncos · Receiving · +7.93 total EPA · 5 snaps · +1.59 EPA/play
4. 4 B. Berrian · Chicago Bears · Receiving · +5.90 total EPA · 3 snaps · +1.97 EPA/play
5. 5 B. Stokley · Denver Broncos · Receiving · +5.82 total EPA · 5 snaps · +1.16 EPA/play
6. 6 A. Hall · Denver Broncos · Receiving · +4.30 total EPA · 2 snaps · +2.15 EPA/play
7. 7 D. Clark · Chicago Bears · Receiving · +3.80 total EPA · 2 snaps · +1.90 EPA/play
8. 8 M. Muhammad · Chicago Bears · Receiving · +2.52 total EPA · 2 snaps · +1.26 EPA/play

Player of the game

FantasyHQ analytics player-of-the-game pick based on total EPA and signature plays.

Who scored touchdowns and field goals

Every touchdown and field goal with the player named in official play-by-play.

Touchdowns

• Denver Broncos — A. Hall (Q2 44:18)
• Chicago Bears — D. Hester (Q3 28:07)
• Denver Broncos — C. Sapp (Q3 17:43)
• Chicago Bears — D. Hester (Q3 17:38)
• Denver Broncos — B. Marshall (J. Cutler pass) (Q3 17:20)
• Denver Broncos — T. Scheffler (J. Cutler pass) (Q4 10:46)
• Chicago Bears — A. Peterson (Q4 5:31)
• Chicago Bears — B. Berrian (R. Grossman pass) (Q4 0:32)

Field goals

• Chicago Bears — R. Gould (Q1 51:59)
• Denver Broncos — J. Elam (Q1 48:20)
• Chicago Bears — R. Gould (Q2 35:38)
• Denver Broncos — J. Elam (Q2 30:17)
• Chicago Bears — R. Gould (OT 11:21)

How it unfolded, quarter by quarter

A quarter-by-quarter recap built from live scoring plays and play descriptions.

The opening quarter: The quarter finished even at 3–3. Chicago Bears connected on a field goal from the DEN 6 (Q1 51:59) — (6:59) 9-R.Gould 24 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-65-P.Mannelly, Holder-4-B.Maynard.; Denver Broncos connected on a field goal from the CHI 5 (Q1 48:20) — (3:20) 1-J.Elam 23 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-83-M.Leach, Holder-10-T.Sauerbrun..

The second quarter: Denver Broncos won the period 10–3. Denver Broncos found the end zone from the CHI 16 (Q2 44:18) — (14:18) 23-A.Hall right end for 16 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Denver Broncos added 1 points from the CHI 2 (Q2 44:10) — 1-J.Elam extra point is GOOD, Center-83-M.Leach, Holder-10-T.Sauerbrun.; Chicago Bears connected on a field goal from the DEN 26 (Q2 35:38) — (5:38) 9-R.Gould 44 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-65-P.Mannelly, Holder-4-B.Maynard.; Denver Broncos connected on a field goal from the CHI 4 (Q2 30:17) — (:17) 1-J.Elam 22 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-83-M.Leach, Holder-10-T.Sauerbrun..

The third quarter: The quarter finished even at 14–14. Chicago Bears found the end zone from the CHI 71 (Q3 28:07) — (13:07) 10-T.Sauerbrun punts 46 yards to CHI 25, Center-83-M.Leach. 23-D.Hester for 75 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Chicago Bears added 1 points from the DEN 2 (Q3 27:49) — 9-R.Gould extra point is GOOD, Center-65-P.Mannelly, Holder-4-B.Maynard.; Denver Broncos found the end zone from the CHI 5 (Q3 17:43) — (2:43) 37-C.Sapp right end for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Denver Broncos added 1 points from the CHI 2 (Q3 17:38) — 1-J.Elam extra point is GOOD, Center-83-M.Leach, Holder-10-T.Sauerbrun.; Chicago Bears found the end zone from the DEN 30 (Q3 17:38) — 10-T.Sauerbrun kicks 58 yards from DEN 30 to CHI 12. 23-D.Hester for 88 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Chicago Bears added 1 points from the DEN 2 (Q3 17:26) — 9-R.Gould extra point is GOOD, Center-65-P.Mannelly, Holder-4-B.Maynard.; Denver Broncos found the end zone from the CHI 68 (Q3 17:20) — (2:20) 6-J.Cutler pass deep right to 15-B.Marshall for 68 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Denver Broncos added 1 points from the CHI 2 (Q3 17:11) — 1-J.Elam extra point is GOOD, Center-83-M.Leach, Holder-10-T.Sauerbrun..

The fourth quarter: Chicago Bears won the period 14–7. Denver Broncos found the end zone from the CHI 14 (Q4 10:46); Denver Broncos added 1 points from the CHI 2 (Q4 10:38) — 1-J.Elam extra point is GOOD, Center-83-M.Leach, Holder-10-T.Sauerbrun.; Chicago Bears found the end zone from the DEN 4 (Q4 5:31) — (5:31) 29-A.Peterson left tackle for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Chicago Bears added 1 points from the DEN 2 (Q4 5:17) — 9-R.Gould extra point is GOOD, Center-65-P.Mannelly, Holder-4-B.Maynard.; Chicago Bears found the end zone from the DEN 3 (Q4 0:32); Chicago Bears added 1 points from the DEN 2 (Q4 0:28) — 9-R.Gould extra point is GOOD, Center-65-P.Mannelly, Holder-4-B.Maynard..

Overtime: Chicago Bears won the period 3–0. Chicago Bears connected on a field goal from the DEN 21 (OT 11:21) — (11:21) 9-R.Gould 39 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-65-P.Mannelly, Holder-4-B.Maynard..

Turning points

Plays that moved win probability the most — the swings that decided the game.

• Chicago Bears (Q4 0:32) — (:32) 8-R.Grossman pass short right to 80-B.Berrian for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN. The Replay Assistant challenged the pass completion ruling, and the play was Upheld. [WPA +30.3% · EPA +4.50]
• Chicago Bears (Q3 17:38) — 10-T.Sauerbrun kicks 58 yards from DEN 30 to CHI 12. 23-D.Hester for 88 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +27.4% · EPA +6.13]
• Chicago Bears (OT 14:54) — (14:54) 8-R.Grossman pass deep right to 88-D.Clark pushed ob at DEN 37 for 39 yards (21-H.Abdullah). [WPA +26.4% · EPA +2.54]
• Denver Broncos (Q3 17:20) — (2:20) 6-J.Cutler pass deep right to 15-B.Marshall for 68 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +25.4% · EPA +6.13]
• Denver Broncos (Q3 28:07) — (13:07) 10-T.Sauerbrun punts 46 yards to CHI 25, Center-83-M.Leach. 23-D.Hester for 75 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA -21.4% · EPA -5.39]

Impact plays

Highest expected-points added snaps that flipped field position and scoring chances.

• Denver Broncos (Q3 17:20) — (2:20) 6-J.Cutler pass deep right to 15-B.Marshall for 68 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +25.4% · EPA +6.13]
• Chicago Bears (Q3 17:38) — 10-T.Sauerbrun kicks 58 yards from DEN 30 to CHI 12. 23-D.Hester for 88 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +27.4% · EPA +6.13]
• Denver Broncos (Q2 38:22) — (8:22) 30-M.Bell to DEN 29 for no gain (55-L.Briggs). FUMBLES (55-L.Briggs), RECOVERED by CHI-93-A.Ogunleye at DEN 30. 93-A.Ogunleye to DEN 16 for 14 yards (6-J.Cutler). [WPA -13.1% · EPA -5.67]
• Denver Broncos (Q3 28:07) — (13:07) 10-T.Sauerbrun punts 46 yards to CHI 25, Center-83-M.Leach. 23-D.Hester for 75 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA -21.4% · EPA -5.39]

Quarterback report card

R.Grossman led all passers in efficiency for Chicago Bears, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.

• R.Grossman (Chicago Bears) · 39 dropbacks · 43.6% completion · -10.6% CPOE · -0.19 EPA/play · -7.43 total EPA
• J.Cutler (Denver Broncos) · 34 dropbacks · 50.0% completion · +0.7% CPOE · +0.30 EPA/play · +10.31 total EPA

Team stats comparison

Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency from FantasyHQ analytics.

By the numbers

Both offenses finished within striking distance on EPA per play (Denver Broncos -0.01, Chicago Bears -0.03) — a true toss-up on the analytics sheet.

• Chicago Bears: 17 drives, -2.56 total EPA, 6 scoring drives
• Denver Broncos: 17 drives, -0.87 total EPA, 7 scoring drives

Key takeaways

What to remember for fantasy research, film review, and follow-up box score digging.

• Chicago Bears leaves with the win and the better postgame narrative for Week-to-week momentum.
• One-score margin — fantasy managers should double-check garbage-time stats before drawing conclusions.
• B. Marshall (Denver Broncos) is the first name to pull up for highlight reels and prop-retrospective research.
• R. Grossman (CHI) finished below expected efficiency — volume may have masked accuracy issues.

Every scoring play

Chronological scoring with field position and full play-by-play context.

1. Chicago Bears FG (+3) — Q1 51:59 · DEN 6 · Score 0-3
   (6:59) 9-R.Gould 24 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-65-P.Mannelly, Holder-4-B.Maynard.
2. Denver Broncos FG (+3) — Q1 48:20 · CHI 5 · Score 3-3
   (3:20) 1-J.Elam 23 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-83-M.Leach, Holder-10-T.Sauerbrun.
3. Denver Broncos TD (+6) — Q2 44:18 · CHI 16 · Score 9-3
   (14:18) 23-A.Hall right end for 16 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
4. Denver Broncos XP (+1) — Q2 44:10 · CHI 2 · Score 10-3
   1-J.Elam extra point is GOOD, Center-83-M.Leach, Holder-10-T.Sauerbrun.
5. Chicago Bears FG (+3) — Q2 35:38 · DEN 26 · Score 10-6
   (5:38) 9-R.Gould 44 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-65-P.Mannelly, Holder-4-B.Maynard.
6. Denver Broncos FG (+3) — Q2 30:17 · CHI 4 · Score 13-6
   (:17) 1-J.Elam 22 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-83-M.Leach, Holder-10-T.Sauerbrun.
7. Chicago Bears TD (+6) — Q3 28:07 · CHI 71 · Score 13-12
   (13:07) 10-T.Sauerbrun punts 46 yards to CHI 25, Center-83-M.Leach. 23-D.Hester for 75 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
8. Chicago Bears XP (+1) — Q3 27:49 · DEN 2 · Score 13-13
   9-R.Gould extra point is GOOD, Center-65-P.Mannelly, Holder-4-B.Maynard.
9. Denver Broncos TD (+6) — Q3 17:43 · CHI 5 · Score 19-13
   (2:43) 37-C.Sapp right end for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
10. Denver Broncos XP (+1) — Q3 17:38 · CHI 2 · Score 20-13
    1-J.Elam extra point is GOOD, Center-83-M.Leach, Holder-10-T.Sauerbrun.
11. Chicago Bears TD (+6) — Q3 17:38 · DEN 30 · Score 20-19
    10-T.Sauerbrun kicks 58 yards from DEN 30 to CHI 12. 23-D.Hester for 88 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
12. Chicago Bears XP (+1) — Q3 17:26 · DEN 2 · Score 20-20
    9-R.Gould extra point is GOOD, Center-65-P.Mannelly, Holder-4-B.Maynard.
13. Denver Broncos TD (+6) — Q3 17:20 · CHI 68 · Score 26-20
    (2:20) 6-J.Cutler pass deep right to 15-B.Marshall for 68 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
14. Denver Broncos XP (+1) — Q3 17:11 · CHI 2 · Score 27-20
    1-J.Elam extra point is GOOD, Center-83-M.Leach, Holder-10-T.Sauerbrun.
15. Denver Broncos TD (+6) — Q4 10:46 · CHI 14 · Score 33-20
    (10:46) 6-J.Cutler pass short right to 88-T.Scheffler for 14 yards, TOUCHDOWN. PENALTY on CHI-54-B.Urlacher, Unsportsmanlike Conduct, 15 yards, enforced between
16. Denver Broncos XP (+1) — Q4 10:38 · CHI 2 · Score 34-20
    1-J.Elam extra point is GOOD, Center-83-M.Leach, Holder-10-T.Sauerbrun.
17. Chicago Bears TD (+6) — Q4 5:31 · DEN 4 · Score 34-26
    (5:31) 29-A.Peterson left tackle for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
18. Chicago Bears XP (+1) — Q4 5:17 · DEN 2 · Score 34-27
    9-R.Gould extra point is GOOD, Center-65-P.Mannelly, Holder-4-B.Maynard.
19. Chicago Bears TD (+6) — Q4 0:32 · DEN 3 · Score 34-33
    (:32) 8-R.Grossman pass short right to 80-B.Berrian for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN. The Replay Assistant challenged the pass completion ruling, and the play was Upheld.
20. Chicago Bears XP (+1) — Q4 0:28 · DEN 2 · Score 34-34
    9-R.Gould extra point is GOOD, Center-65-P.Mannelly, Holder-4-B.Maynard.
21. Chicago Bears FG (+3) — OT 11:21 · DEN 21 · Score 34-37
    (11:21) 9-R.Gould 39 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-65-P.Mannelly, Holder-4-B.Maynard.