NFL Preseason Preview: Denver Broncos vs. Chicago Bears

Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning is looking forward to getting hit in Thursday night’s NFL preseason opener against the Chicago Bears, as it will serve as the final test to see if he’s fully recovered from a neck injury that cost him the entire 2011 regular season.

The Broncos are currently three-point road underdogs in the NFL betting odds (courtesy of SBR Forum), while the total has moved up 1.5 points from its opening number to settle in at 34.5.

Manning hasn’t taken part in a meaningful NFL game since suffering a 17-16 loss to the New York Jets as one-point home favorites in the AFC Wild Card round on Jan. 8, 2011, which also served as his final contest as a member of the Indianapolis Colts.

Broncos head coach John Fox expects his starters to see limited action in the first quarter in the opening week of exhibition play, with the second team receiving a bulk of the remaining snaps.

Sports bettors will definitely take into account that the Broncos are 17-6-1 in their last 24 preseason openers, but they did suffer a 24-23 setback to the Dallas Cowboys as 2.5-point road underdogs in this exact spot a year ago.

Bears signal-caller Jay Cutler will get some media mention as well in this affair, considering he’s recovering from an injury (thumb) that ended his 2011 campaign in Week 11, while also watching fiance Kristin Cavallari give birth to his first child Wednesday.

The upward movement in the total is significant due to the Bears going above the number in six of their last seven preseason openers, while the Broncos have averaged 21 points in three games in this spot with Mike McCoy as offensive coordinator.

I recommend keeping a close eye on the weather forecast throughout the day in the Windy City, as it currently suggests a 60 percent chance of thunderstorms and winds out of the north at 10-15 mph.

Follow Jeff Grant on Twitter