by Rod Pearson
Thursday, Dec 14, 2023
Game Time: 8:15 pm ET, Saturday, December 16, 2023
Venue: Ford Field, Detroit, MI
Where to Watch: NFL Network
Opening Odds at USA Sportsbooks
DraftKings: Point Spread: Broncos +4, Lions -4; Over/Under: 48 points
Bet365: Point Spread: Broncos +4, Lions -4; Over/Under: 47.5 points
BetMGM: Point Spread: Broncos +4, Lions -4; Over/Under: 47.5 points
Season Record
Denver Broncos: 7-6 (2nd place, AFC West)
Detroit Lions: 9-4 (1st place, NFC North)
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Recent Form
Denver Broncos: won their last game on the road against the Los Angeles Chargers 24-7.
Detroit Lions: lost their last game on the road against the Chicago Bears 28-13.
Denver Broncos vs Detroit Lions Preview and Analysis
The Broncos are entering this game with a 7-6 record overall and they have a 2-2 record in their divisional games too. They are 4-3 in their home games, 3-3 in their road games, and they are also 0-0 in their neutral site games this season, but they will be on the road for this game. They won their last game against the LA Chargers 24-7. Russell Wilson was the starting QB and he completed 21/33 passes for 224 passing yards, 2 touchdowns, and 1 interception. Javonte Williams led the team in rushing yards with 66 and 1 TD. Courtland Sutton led the receivers with 62 receiving yards on 3 receptions and 1 TD. Alex Singleton led the defense in that game with 10 solo tackles and 4 assisted tackles while Alex Singleton, Ja'Quan McMillian, Josey Jewell, Justin Simmons, P.J. Locke, and Zach Allen each led the defense in sacks with 1. Jonathon Cooper came away with the only interception for them in that game.
The Lions are entering this game with a 9-4 record overall and they have a 2-2 record in their divisional games too. They are 4-2 in their home games, 5-2 in their road games, and they are also 0-0 in their neutral site games this season, but they will be at home for this game. They lost their last game against the Chicago Bears 28-13. Jared Goff was the starting QB and he completed 20/35 passes for 161 passing yards, 1 touchdown, and 2 interceptions. Jahmyr Gibbs led the team in rushing yards with 66 and 1 TD. Josh Reynolds led the receivers with 44 receiving yards on 3 receptions and 1 TD. Jack Campbell led the defense in that game with 6 solo tackles and 3 assisted tackles while John Cominsky, Aidan Hutchinson, and Jalen Reeves-Maybin each led the defense in sacks with 1. No one on the defense came away with an interception for them in that game.
Broncos vs Lions Prediction
The current betting odds have the Broncos listed as a 4 point underdog in this game according to Draftkings Sportsbook. The Broncos got off to one of the worst starts this season but now they are 7-6 overall and are right in the Wild Card race. They have been one of the hottest teams in the NFL over the last few weeks with their offense finally starting to click now and even their defense looking a lot better. Meanwhile, the Lions have looked great this season with their 9-4 record overall but they have been doing the complete opposite of the Broncos lately. The Lions got off to one of the hottest starts in the NFL this season but lately they haven't looked good with most of their losses coming over the last month. They just lost to the Bears in their last game but even in their wins as of late, they haven't been taking care of the football. The Lions may have the better record entering this game but they are not the team that is playing better football right now and the Broncos need this game more after the way they started the season so they are motivated to stay on course with everything clicking now. Even if the Broncos lose this game, the Lions will allow the Broncos to hang around keeping it a much closer game. The best way to place a bet here is on the Broncos to cover the spread in this game.
Broncos Lions Prediction: Our NFL Pick for Saturday, December 16, 2023 (8:15 pm ET start time) is Broncos 27 Lions 24.
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NFL Betting Trends
Denver Broncos: 6-12 ATS off an upset win by 10 or more as a road underdog. 13-21 ATS against NFC North division opponents. 31-16 UNDER in all games. 11-4 UNDER as a road underdog. 16-6 UNDER off 2 or more consecutive unders.
Detroit Lions: 31-16 ATS in all games. 16-7 ATS in home games. 8-2 ATS after a loss by 10 or more points. 8-2 UNDER after a loss by 10 or more points. 11-4 UNDER after 1 or more consecutive losses against the spread. 7-2 UNDER after scoring 14 points or less last game.
Key Injuries
Denver Broncos: R. Perkins (DE) Ques Sat - Quadricep. N. Bonitto (LB) Ques Sat - Knee. Q. Meinerz (G) Ques Sat - Heart. K. Jackson (S) Elig Week 16 - Suspension. E. Uwazurike (DL) out for season - Suspension. G. Dulcich (TE) Out indefinitely - Hamstring. K. Williams (CB) I-R - Ankle. C. Sterns (S) I-R - Knee. A. Palczewski (OT) Out indefinitely - Hand. J. Virgil (WR) I-R - Knee. J. Griffith (LB) I-R - Knee. T. Patrick (WR) I-R - Achilles.
Detroit Lions: F. Ragnow (C) Ques Sat - Leg. J. Houston (LB) Late Dec - Ankle. A. McNeill (DL) Out indefinitely - Knee. H. Vaitai (G) Out indefinitely - Back. S. Daly (LS) Out indefinitely - Knee. E. Moseley (CB) I-R - Knee. Z. Knight (RB) I-R - Shoulder. J. Cabinda (FB) Out indefinitely - Knee. M. Nelson (OT) Out indefinitely - Ankle. C. Gardner-Johnson (DB) I-R - Pectoral. N. Sudfeld (QB) I-R - Knee. S. Zylstra (TE) I-R - Knee. H. Hooker (QB) Out indefinitely - Knee.
Notable Quotes
“We did a good job harassing the quarterback, both of them. It was one of our better team wins this season.” - Sean Payton after his team’s win against the LA Chargers in their last game.
“Look, I know that everybody’s trying to grasp straws, what are we, what is this. I know exactly what we are. We’re a team that will fight. We got to do things right because any little mistake, man, it throws us off now. That’s just the type of team we are.” - Dan Campbell after his team’s loss against the Bears in their last game.
Starting Lineups
Denver Broncos
WR Sutton, Courtland
WR Mims Jr., Marvin
WR Jeudy, Jerry
TE Trautman, Adam
QB Wilson, Russell
RB Williams, Javonte
FB Burton, Michael
Detroit Lions
WR Reynolds, Josh
WR Williams, Jameson
WR St. Brown, Amon-Ra
TE LaPorta, Sam
QB Goff, Jared
RB Montgomery, David
Statistical Leaders
Denver Broncos
Passing: R. Wilson (2609)
Rushing: J. Williams (650)
Receiving: C. Sutton (699)
Touchdowns: C. Sutton (10)
Detroit Lions
Passing: J. Goff (3449)
Rushing: D. Montgomery (770)
Receiving: A. St. Brown (1063)
Touchdowns: D. Montgomery (10)
Coaches:
Denver Broncos: Sean Payton (1st season)
Detroit Lions: Dan Campbell (3rd season)
Rod Pearson
About the Author:
Rod Pearson has been a rabid sports fan his entire life. He grew up in Ontario, and was skilled in both hockey and baseball, and pitched in an elite baseball league for many years. In 2022, Rod decided to hang up his glove, so that he could write about the sports he loves -- but from a gambling perspective. Join Rod every day as he breaks down the games to find the best betting value.
