Cutler’s strides give Broncos hope

In total disarray three weeks ago, the Denver Broncos seem to be turned around in the right direction. Jay Cutler, their second-year quarterback, is finally showing off more than his strong right arm.

Cutler has played more intelligently and less like a rookie in the Broncos' past two games, victories over Kansas City and Tennessee.

Denver, which was embarrassed in a 44-7 loss at Detroit on Nov. 4, is 5-5 and tied with San Diego atop the AFC West.

"I really think the Broncos are starting to make a run," The Gold Sheet editor Bruce Marshall said. "They have straightened some things out since the Detroit game, and Cutler is making progress and maturing as a leader."

But will it be two steps forward and one step back for the Broncos, who are 21/2-point underdogs today at Chicago? Marshall said it's a case of two teams headed in opposite directions.

The Bears (4-6) are out of playoff contention and stuck without a quarterback of the future while coach Lovie Smith rotates Rex Grossman and Brian Griese.

The Super Bowl season is a distant memory. Chicago, which ranks 25th in the NFL in offense and 22nd in defense, is 0-4 against the spread at home and 1-5 as a favorite.

"The Bears are very shaky, and it's obvious they are not the same team they were last season," Marshall said.

But Denver has been a poor point-spread team the past two seasons -- 5-11 last season and 2-7 this season.

"Denver is the only team in the AFC West that looks like it's on the ascent," Marshall said. "I think that bad point-spread run is behind the Broncos. I'll give them a shot here as a live 'dog."

Marshall (goldsheet.com) offers his opinions on the rest of today's Week 12 schedule:

• Tennessee (-11/2) at Cincinnati: The Bengals' chemistry is terrible and their defense has been a mess all season. Cincinnati is 1-8 in its past nine games as a home underdog. Tennessee's defense is still the real deal, and quarterback Vince Young looked good in Monday's loss at Denver. Young was just betrayed by his receivers, who dropped a lot of balls. I look for the Titans to bounce back. Tennessee has been dangerous on the road, 6-2 straight-up in the past eight.

• Buffalo at Jacksonville (-8): I've got a slight lean to the Bills, but they're on short rations on offense. Without running back Marshawn Lynch, they are limited. Buffalo has been a scrappy underdog, going 14-5 in the past 19 games in that role, and its defense can keep the Jaguars in check. Jacksonville might be conservative on offense, so I'll look at this under the total (36).

• Oakland at Kansas City (-5): The decision to go with Brodie Croyle at quarterback was a desperate roll of the dice by Chiefs coach Herm Edwards, who is trying to get something going with the offense. Raiders kicker Sebastian Janikowski, who made five field goals last week, might be the best offensive weapon in the game. Under the total (341/2) might be the way to go. We'll probably see Oakland rookie JaMarcus Russell at quarterback pretty soon.

• Houston at Cleveland (-3): I like the Texans and over the total (51). The Browns are going over (9-0-1) every week. With quarterback Matt Schaub and receiver Andre Johnson back, it changes the dynamics of Houston's offense. I think the Texans might make a run. Cleveland is due to slip and is living on borrowed time.

• Seattle (-3) at St. Louis: The Seahawks are at their best against bad teams, and this is not a big number. Seattle quarterback Matt Hasselbeck has his receivers healthy, and it showed last week when he passed for 337 yards against the Bears. The Rams still have a lot of problems, and their offensive line is a wreck. St. Louis' two-game winning streak, against New Orleans and San Francisco, is nothing to get too excited about.

• Minnesota at New York Giants (-7): The Vikings pop up every once in a while with a good effort, but they have serious problems with their quarterback play and the Giants defense has a big pass rush. Chester Taylor, who rushed for 164 yards last week in a victory over the Raiders, gives Minnesota a weapon. I have not seen evidence that Eli Manning's arm is weakening as it sometimes does around Thanksgiving, when he usually loses some zip on his fastball. I'll go with the Giants, and I could see it under the total (401/2).

• New Orleans (-21/2) at Carolina: This is one of my least favorite games. I've been burned a couple of times by the Saints, but I'll give them one more shot. The Panthers quarterbacks are not sparking them, whether it's Vinny Testaverde or David Carr. Carolina is 0-4 straight-up and against the spread at home. This has been a series favoring the visitor, with the road team covering 11 of the past 12.

• Washington at Tampa Bay (-3): I don't think the Buccaneers are going to gallop away in the NFC South. The Redskins were helped by wideout Santana Moss coming back last week. Moss can stretch a defense, and quarterback Jason Campbell looks downfield more with Moss in there. Washington gave it a good run in a 28-23 loss at Dallas last week. Tampa Bay's offense doesn't impress me much.

• San Francisco at Arizona (-101/2): I still don't want any piece of the 49ers. Trent Dilfer is not the answer at quarterback, and San Francisco has the worst group of wideouts I have ever seen in the NFL. That's the main reason the 49ers stink so much. Defenses gang up on running back Frank Gore, and there's so little San Francisco can do.

• Baltimore at San Diego (-9): Reluctantly, I'll take the Chargers. The Ravens offer no value at 1-9 against the spread, but maybe quarterback Kyle Boller gives them a little shot in the arm. Something is wrong with San Diego's whole team. Quarterback Philip Rivers' mechanics aren't right, and coach Norv Turner has messed up everything. But the Chargers still have a solid defense, and they are 4-1 against the spread at home.

• Philadelphia at New England (-241/2): This line would have to hit about 28 before I would take the underdog. I've never seen a team on an extended run like the Patriots are on now. Even without quarterback Donovan McNabb, the Eagles can do enough that I will look over the total (501/2).

Compiled by Review-Journal sportswriter Matt Youmans.