Joe Amon, The Denver PostBroncos fan Isaac Zepeda of Denver cooks meat for tacos de discada as his friend Joel Rangel gets set to take it to the table before the Denver Broncos take on the Chicago Bears during the Broncos' regular season home opener at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver on Sept. 15, 2019.
Joe Amon, The Denver PostFan Gino Villalovas of Arvada cheers as he arrives early and ready for the Denver Broncos to take on the Chicago Bears during the Broncos' regular season home opener at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver on Sept. 15, 2019.
RJ Sangosti, The Denver PostFans tailgate before the Denver Broncos' regular season home opener against the Chicago Bears at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver on Sept. 15, 2019.
Eric Lutzens, The Denver PostBroncos fans Pat Archuleta of Mancos, left, and Gino Villalovas of Arvada pose for a photo prior to the start of the team's season home opener against the Chicago Bears at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver on Sunday, Sept. 15, 2019.
Eric Lutzens, The Denver PostRon Davis of La Junta takes a photo for the Adame-Andrade family prior to the start of the Broncos' regular season home opener against the Chicago Bears at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver on Sunday, Sept. 15, 2019. The Adame-Andrade family made their yearly pilgrimage from central California to see the game.
RJ Sangosti, The Denver PostFans make their way into the stadium for the Denver Broncos' regular season home opener against the Chicago Bears at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver on Sept. 15, 2019.
RJ Sangosti, The Denver PostA fan tries to jump a pile of trash outside Empower Field at Mile High in Denver before the start of Denver Broncos' regular season home opener against the Chicago Bears on Sept. 15, 2019.
RJ Sangosti, The Denver PostA sign of former Denver Broncos owner Pat Bowlen, who died recently after a lengthy battle with Alzheimers disease, hangs on the stadium as the Denver Broncos take on the Chicago Bears for the Broncos regular season home opener at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver on Sept. 15, 2019.
AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver PostEmmanuel Sanders (10) of the Denver Broncos stands before the first half of the regular season home opener against the Chicago Bears at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver on Sunday, Sept. 15, 2019.
Eric Lutzens, The Denver PostCornerback Chris Harris (25) of the Denver Broncos runs on to the field before the start of the game at Empower Field at Mile High on Sunday, Sept. 15, 2019. The Denver Broncos hosted the Chicago Bears for the game.
Eric Lutzens, The Denver PostRunning back Royce Freeman (28) of the Denver Broncos gets surrounded and taken down during the second quarter of the game at at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver on Sunday, Sept. 15, 2019.
AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver PostDanny Trevathan (59) of the Chicago Bears hits Joe Flacco (5) of the Denver Broncos during the first half of an NFL game at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver Sunday, Sept. 15, 2019.
Joe Amon, The Denver PostDenver Broncos tight end Jeff Heuerman (82) pulls in a pass in the first half as the Denver Broncos take on the Chicago Bears during the Broncos' season opener at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver on Sept. 15, 2019.
AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver PostA Denver Broncos fan cheers against the Chicago Bears during the first half of an NFL game at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver Sunday, Sept. 15, 2019.
RJ Sangosti, The Denver PostDalton Risner (66) of the Denver Broncos looks up from the sideline during the first half against the Chicago Bears at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver on Sept. 15, 2019.
AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver PostLeonard Floyd (94) of the Chicago Bears tackles Phillip Lindsay (30) of the Denver Broncos during the second half of Chicago's 16-14 win in the NFL game at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver on Sunday, Sept. 15, 2019.
AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver PostWill Parks (34) of the Denver Broncos breaks up a pass to Trey Burton (80) of the Chicago Bears in the end zone during the second half of Chicago's 16-14 win in the Broncos' regular season home opener at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver on Sunday, Sept. 15, 2019.
AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver PostDavid Montgomery (32) of the Chicago Bears scores a touchdown as Bradley Chubb (55) of the Denver Broncos and company try to stop him during the second half of Chicago's 16-14 win in the Broncos' regular season home opener at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver on Sunday, Sept. 15, 2019.
RJ Sangosti, The Denver PostChicago Bears fans turn to look at Broncos fans as they celebrate a Bears touchdown during the Denver Broncos' regular season home opener at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver on Sept. 15, 2019.
AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver PostBroncos head coach Vic Fangio roams the sidelines after a touchdown run by David Montgomery (32) of the Chicago Bears during the second half of Chicago's 16-14 win in the Broncos' regular season home opener at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver on Sunday, Sept. 15, 2019.
Joe Amon, The Denver PostDenver Broncos offensive tackle Garett Bolles (72) tries to stop Chicago Bears defensive end Roy Robertson-Harris (95) in the second half as theDenver Broncos lose to 16-14 the Chicago Bears during the Broncos' regular season home opener at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver on Sept. 15, 2019. Bolles was called for four holding penalties against the Broncos in Sunday's game.
Joe Amon, The Denver PostDenver Broncos tight end Troy Fumagalli (84) makes a catch in front of Chicago Bears inside linebacker Roquan Smith (58) in the second half as the Denver Broncos lose to 16-14 the Chicago Bears during the Broncos' regular season home opener at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver on Sept. 15, 2019.
AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver PostEddie Goldman (91) of the Chicago Bears hits Joe Flacco (5) of the Denver Broncos as he throws during the second half of Chicago's 16-14 win on Sunday, Sept. 15, 2019.
AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver PostRoquan Smith (58) of the Chicago Bears gets his hands on Phillip Lindsay (30) of the Denver Broncos as he hits the corner during the second half of Chicago's 16-14 win in the Broncos' regular season home opener at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver on Sunday, Sept. 15, 2019.
Eric Lutzens, The Denver PostWide receiver DaeSean Hamilton (17) of the Denver Broncos catches a pass and is taken down by free safety Eddie Jackson (39) of the Chicago Bears and cornerback Buster Skrine (24) of the Chicago Bears during the fourth quarter of the game at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver on Sunday, Sept. 15, 2019.
Eric Lutzens, The Denver PostBroncos quarterback Joe Flacco (5) throws during the fourth quarter of the Broncos' regular season home opener against the Chicago Bears at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver on Sunday, Sept. 15, 2019.
Eric Lutzens, The Denver PostCornerback Kyle Fuller (23) of the Chicago Bears intercepts a throw from Broncos quarterback Joe Flacco during the fourth quarter of the game at Empower Field at Mile High on Sunday, Sept. 15, 2019.
AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver PostEmmanuel Sanders (10) of the Denver Broncos reacts to being the target of a pass in the end zone from Joe Flacco (5) that was intercepted by Kyle Fuller (23) of the Chicago Bears during the second half of Chicago's 16-14 win on Sunday, Sept. 15, 2019.
Eric Lutzens, The Denver PostFree safety Eddie Jackson (39) of the Chicago Bears misses a tackle on running back Royce Freeman (28) of the Denver Broncos as he gains 19 yards during the fourth quarter of the game at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver on Sept. 15, 2019.
RJ Sangosti, The Denver PostHead coach Vic Fangio walks the sideline late in the game as the Denver Broncos took on the Chicago Bears at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver on Sept. 15, 2019.
Joe Amon, The Denver PostDenver Broncos wide receiver Courtland Sutton (14) holds on to the ball in the second half as the Denver Broncos lose to 16-14 the Chicago Bears during the Broncos' regular season home opener at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver on Sept. 15, 2019.
Eric Lutzens, The Denver PostRunning back Phillip Lindsay (30) of the Denver Broncos misses a pass with pressure from free safety Eddie Jackson (39) of the Chicago Bears during the fourth quarter of the game at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver on Sept. 15, 2019.
Eric Lutzens, The Denver PostWide receiver Emmanuel Sanders (10) of the Denver Broncos scores a touchdown with pressure from cornerback Kyle Fuller (23) of the Chicago Bears during the fourth quarter of the game at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver on Sept. 15, 2019.
Eric Lutzens, The Denver PostBroncos fans celebrate while Bears fans hide after wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders (10) of the Denver Broncos scores a touchdown during the fourth quarter of the game at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver on Sept. 15, 2019.
AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver PostJoe Flacco (5) of the Denver Broncos reacts to throwing a go-ahead touchdown to Emmanuel Sanders (10) late against the Chicago Bears during the second half of Chicago's 16-14 win on Sunday, Sept. 15, 2019.
Joe Amon, The Denver PostDenver Broncos kicker Brandon McManus (8) watches his extra point try go wide late in the second half as the Denver Broncos lose to 16-14 the Chicago Bears during the Broncos' regular season home opener at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver on Sept. 15, 2019.
Eric Lutzens, The Denver PostWide receiver Emmanuel Sanders (10) of the Denver Broncos scores a two point conversion against the Chicago Bears during the fourth quarter of the Broncos' regular season home opener at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver on Sept. 15, 2019.
Eric Lutzens, The Denver PostWide receiver Emmanuel Sanders (10) of the Denver Broncos throws the ball in the air while he celebrates scoring a two point conversion against the Chicago Bears during the fourth quarter of the Broncos' regular season home opener at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver on Sept. 15, 2019.
Joe Amon, The Denver PostDenver Broncos wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders (10) and quarterback Joe Flacco (5) celebrate late in the second half as the Denver Broncos briefly pull ahead, only to lose to 16-14 the Chicago Bears during the Broncos' regular season home opener at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver on Sept. 15, 2019.
AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver PostEmmanuel Sanders (10) of the Denver Broncos is hoisted by Connor McGovern (60) after scoring a go-ahead two point conversion late against the Chicago Bears during the second half of Chicago's 16-14 win at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver on Sunday, Sept. 15, 2019.
RJ Sangosti, The Denver PostBroncos Diontae Spencer (11) cheers on his teammates as the Denver Broncos look to come back against the Chicago Bears in the Broncos regular season home opener at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver on Sept. 15, 2019. The Bears ultimately landed a field goal in the last second to win the game, 16-14.
Eric Lutzens, The Denver PostKicker Eddy Pineiro (15) of the Chicago Bears kicks the game-winning field goal with one second left in the fourth quarter during the Broncos' regular season home opener at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver on Sunday, Sept. 15, 2019. The Bears won, 16-14.
RJ Sangosti, The Denver PostPhillip Lindsay (30) watches as the Chicago Bears kick a field goal to win as the Denver Broncos took on the Chicago Bears at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver on Sept. 15, 2019.
AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver PostTrey Marshall (36), Kareem Jackson (22), Corey Nelson (56) and Diontae Spencer (11) of the Denver Broncos react to a last-second field goal by Eddy Pineiro (15) of the Chicago Bears in the second half of Chicago's 16-14 win on Sunday, Sept. 15, 2019.
AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver PostEddy Pineiro (15) of the Chicago Bears celebrates his game-winning field goal against the Denver Broncos at the end of the second half of the Broncos' regular season home opener at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver on Sunday, Sept. 15, 2019. The Bears won, 16-14.
AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver PostJoe Flacco (5) of the Denver Broncos walks off the field after a game-winning field goal Eddy Pineiro (15) of the Chicago Bears during the second half of Chicago's 16-14 win on Sunday, Sept. 15, 2019.
Joe Amon, The Denver Post
1 of 46
Broncos fan Isaac Zepeda of Denver cooks meat for tacos de discada as his friend Joel Rangel gets set to take it to the table before the Denver Broncos take on the Chicago Bears during the Broncos' regular season home opener at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver on Sept. 15, 2019.
ExpandBy RJ Sangosti | rsangosti@denverpost.com | The Denver Post, Joe Amon | The Denver Post, AAron Ontiveroz | aontiveroz@denverpost.com | The Denver Post and Eric Lutzens | The Denver Post
PUBLISHED: | UPDATED:
Getting your player ready...
The Denver Broncos regular season home opener on Sunday, Sept. 15, 2019, ended with a defeat by the Chicago Bears at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver. The Bears won, 16-14.












































