Bears blow a 21-point lead in loss to Broncos, which ties for the biggest collapse in franchise history

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(670 The Score) The Bears keep making franchise history in all the wrong ways.

On the verge of earning their first win of the season, the Bears instead collapsed in a 31-28 loss to the Broncos (1-3) on Sunday at Soldier Field to drop to 0-4 and extend their franchise-worst losing streak to 14 games. The Bears held a 28-7 lead with 4:11 remaining in the third quarter after quarterback Justin Fields found running back Khalil Herbert on a two-yard touchdown pass, but it all went downhill from there.

The Bears’ 21-point blown lead matched the largest collapse in franchise history, according to ESPN Stats & Information. They also blew 21-point leads in 2002 (to the Patriots) and 1953 (to the 49ers).

This time, the Bears saved their worst for the fourth quarter. The Broncos pulled within 28-21 on a touchdown with 9:36 left, then tied the game at 28-all after linebacker Jonathon Cooper returned a Fields fumble 35 yards for a touchdown with with 6:55 remaining.

The Bears were still in the driver’s seat as they drove into Broncos territory, but on fourth-and-1 from the Denver 18-yard line with 2:57 remaining, Herbert was stuffed on a dive run up the middle. Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson then found receiver Marvin Mims Jr. on a 48-yard pass to set up a go-ahead field goal, and Denver sealed the win by intercepting Fields inside the final minute.

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