The Denver Broncos will likely need to run the table to have any shot at winning the AFC West championship – and to do that, they’ll have to find a way to score more points.
Enter Sunday’s opponent – a Detroit Lions team that has surrendered the second-most points in the NFC entering their weekend trip to Empower Field at Mile High. The Lions have five wins and a tie in six road games this season, and are big-time underdogs (as expected) this week.
NFL Point Spread and Betting Analysis
We don’t have a large pool of games to draw from when examining the Broncos’ success rate as a favourite of a touchdown or more; it has happened just once this season, and the Broncos (-10) delivered with an emphasis in a 26-0 win over the New York Jets on Sept. 26. The Lions as an underdog of 7+ points? That’s a much larger sample for bettors to study – and the results are surprisingly strong, with Detroit having covered five straight in that situation.
Despite the Lions’ penchant for keeping games closer than expected, 60 percent of Sports Interaction bettors are still siding with the home team ATS. The total trend is much stronger – but not in the way you might expect, with a whopping 72 percent of Sports Interaction participants taking the U42 at -110. That falls well in line with how both teams have performed this season, with the Broncos at a stunning 2-10 O/U and the Lions at 4-8.
Detroit Lions
What can fans and bettors expect from the Lions over the final five weeks (now that they’ve finally secured their first win of the season)? Expect quarterback Jared Goff and the rest of the Detroit offence to give the young crop of receivers an opportunity to shine – and to see which options might be worth keeping around in 2022. Detroit’s top five receiving options (including standout tight end T.J. Hockenson) average just 25 years of age.
Denver Broncos
Props bettors will be keeping a close eye on the Broncos’ running back status heading into the weekend. Melvin Gordon practiced in a limited fashion to begin the week as he works his way back from hip and shoulder injuries. If he can’t go, the Broncos will use Javonte Williams in a workhorse role for a second straight week. The rookie was sensational in defeat last time out, rushing for 102 yards while adding 76 receiving yards and a touchdown.
NFL Prediction: Who Will Win Lions vs. Broncos?
Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
| time | fav | line | total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Opening 30 Nov 9:33pm | DET | -8.5 -110 | O +43.5 -110 |
| Closing 12 Dec 5:39pm | DET | -12.5 -110 | O +42 -110 |
- Regular Season
Lions Team Leaders
| Touchdowns |
7 |
| Rushing |
617 |
| Passing |
526 |
| Receiving |
90 |
| Sacks |
7.5 |
| Interceptions |
6 |
| Touchdowns |
10 |
| Rushing |
918 |
| Passing |
3052 |
| Receiving |
68 |
| Sacks |
6 |
| Interceptions |
5 |
- Regular Season
Broncos Team Leaders
| Touchdowns |
7 |
| Rushing |
617 |
| Passing |
526 |
| Receiving |
90 |
| Sacks |
7.5 |
| Interceptions |
6 |
| Touchdowns |
10 |
| Rushing |
918 |
| Passing |
3052 |
| Receiving |
68 |
| Sacks |
6 |
| Interceptions |
5 |
Weather
| temp | 61 |
| condition | partly-cloudy |
| wind | North 7mph |
Injuries
Penei Sewell (T)
Hunter Bryant (TE)
Jonah Jackson (OL)
Jalen Reeves-Maybin (LB)
Brock Wright (TE)
Joel Heath (DE)
Austin Bryant (DE)
Taylor Decker (T)
Penei Sewell (T)
Rashod Berry (TE)
Bobby Massie (T)
Nate Hairston (CB)
Noah Fant (TE)
Melvin Gordon III (RB)
Shelby Harris (DE)
Kareem Jackson (S)
Shamar Stephen (DL)
Pat Surtain II (CB)
Javonte Williams (RB)
Drew Lock (QB)
Injuries
| player (position) | status | ats*current | o/u* | notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Penei Sewell (T) | Out Sun | Thumb - 08 / 01 / 22 | 0-1 | 1-0 | + - |
|
Sewell is battling a thumb injury, and he will not take on the Packers on Sunday. |
|||||
| Hunter Bryant (TE) | Out indefinitely | Illness - 05 / 01 / 22 | 0-1 | 1-0 | + - |
|
Bryant has been moved to the IR/COVID-19 list, and team officials have yet to provide an exact return date. |
|||||
| Jonah Jackson (OL) | Ques Sun | Elbow - 05 / 01 / 22 | 0-1 | 1-0 | + - |
|
Jackson has an elbow injury, and it is up in the air if he will partake in Sunday's showdown against the Packers. |
|||||
| Jalen Reeves-Maybin (LB) | Ques Sun | Shoulder - 05 / 01 / 22 | 0-1 | 1-0 | + - |
|
Reeves-Maybin is nursing a shoulder injury, and it is uncertain if he will play against the Packers on Sunday. |
|||||
| Brock Wright (TE) | Ques Sun | Groin - 05 / 01 / 22 | 0-1 | 1-0 | + - |
|
Wright is dealing with a groin issue, leaving his availability against the Packers clouded. |
|||||
| Joel Heath (DE) | Out indefinitely | Illness - 04 / 01 / 22 | 0-1 | 1-0 | + - |
|
Heath has been added to the IR/COVID-19 list, and a date for his return is unclear. |
|||||
| Austin Bryant (DE) | Out indefinitely | Illness - 03 / 01 / 22 | 0-1 | 1-0 | + - |
|
Bryant has been assigned to the IR/COVID-19 list, and it has yet to be established when he can return. |
|||||
| Taylor Decker (T) | Out indefinitely | Illness - 03 / 01 / 22 | 0-1 | 1-0 | + - |
|
Decker has been posted to the IR/COVID-19 list after testing positive for the virus, and it has yet to be established when he can return. |
|||||
| Penei Sewell (T) | Out indefinitely | Illness - 03 / 01 / 22 | 0-1 | 1-0 | + - |
|
Sewell has been shuttled to the IR/COVID-19 list, and it is undecided when he will return to action. |
|||||
| Rashod Berry (TE) | Ques Sun | Illness - 01 / 01 / 22 | 1-1 | 1-1 | + - |
|
Berry missed the previous game due to an illness, and it is unknown if he will take the field against the Packers on Sunday. |
|||||
| player (position) | status | ats*current | o/u* | notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bobby Massie (T) | Out Sat | Concussion - 08 / 01 / 22 | 0-1 | 1-0 | + - |
|
Massie will not suit up against the Chiefs on Saturday due to a concussion. |
|||||
| Nate Hairston (CB) | Out indefinitely | Illness - 06 / 01 / 22 | 0-1 | 1-0 | + - |
|
Hairston has been added to the IR/COVID-19 list, and it has yet to be decided when he will return to action. |
|||||
| Noah Fant (TE) | Prob Sat | Quadricep - 04 / 01 / 22 | 0-1 | 1-0 | + - |
|
Fant is tending to a quadricep injury, but it is anticipated that he will be active for Saturday's battle with the Chiefs. |
|||||
| Melvin Gordon III (RB) | Prob Sat | Hip - 04 / 01 / 22 | 0-1 | 1-0 | + - |
|
Gordon III is hampered by a hip injury, but it is likely that he will face the Chiefs on Saturday. |
|||||
| Shelby Harris (DE) | Ques Sat | Ankle - 04 / 01 / 22 | 0-1 | 1-0 | + - |
|
Harris is managing an ankle injury, and it is up in the air if he will partake in Saturday's tilt against the Chiefs. |
|||||
| Kareem Jackson (S) | I-R | Back - 04 / 01 / 22 | 0-1 | 1-0 | + - |
|
Jackson has been ticketed for the injured reserve list due to a back and shoulder injury. |
|||||
| Shamar Stephen (DL) | Prob Sat | Quadricep - 04 / 01 / 22 | 0-1 | 1-0 | + - |
|
Stephen is dealing with a quadricep injury, but it is projected that he will be in Saturday's lineup versus the Chiefs. |
|||||
| Pat Surtain II (CB) | Out indefinitely | Calf - 04 / 01 / 22 | 0-1 | 1-0 | + - |
|
Surtain II has been placed on the injured reserve list with a calf injury, and a date for his return is unclear. |
|||||
| Javonte Williams (RB) | Prob Sat | Knee - 04 / 01 / 22 | 0-1 | 1-0 | + - |
|
Williams is managing a knee injury, but it is anticipated that he will take the field Saturday versus the Chiefs. |
|||||
| Drew Lock (QB) | Prob Sat | Shoulder - 03 / 01 / 22 | 0-1 | 1-0 | + - |
|
Lock is expected to partake in Saturday's game against the Chiefs despite a shoulder injury. |
|||||
-
DETROIT LIONS
17 -
DENVER BRONCOS
23
Score
Prediction
-
Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
time fav line total Opening 30 Nov 9:33pm DET -8.5 -110 O +43.5 -110 Closing 12 Dec 5:39pm DET -12.5 -110 O +42 -110 -
- Regular Season
Lions Team Leaders
Touchdowns 7
Rushing 617
Passing 526
Receiving 90
Sacks 7.5
Interceptions 6
Touchdowns 10
Rushing 918
Passing 3052
Receiving 68
Sacks 6
Interceptions 5
-
- Regular Season
Broncos Team Leaders
Touchdowns 7
Rushing 617
Passing 526
Receiving 90
Sacks 7.5
Interceptions 6
Touchdowns 10
Rushing 918
Passing 3052
Receiving 68
Sacks 6
Interceptions 5
-
Weather
temp 61 condition partly-cloudy wind North 7mph -
Injuries
Penei Sewell (T)
Out Sun Thumb - 08 / 01 / 22Hunter Bryant (TE)
Out indefinitely Illness - 05 / 01 / 22Jonah Jackson (OL)
Ques Sun Elbow - 05 / 01 / 22Jalen Reeves-Maybin (LB)
Ques Sun Shoulder - 05 / 01 / 22Brock Wright (TE)
Ques Sun Groin - 05 / 01 / 22Joel Heath (DE)
Out indefinitely Illness - 04 / 01 / 22Austin Bryant (DE)
Out indefinitely Illness - 03 / 01 / 22Taylor Decker (T)
Out indefinitely Illness - 03 / 01 / 22Penei Sewell (T)
Out indefinitely Illness - 03 / 01 / 22Rashod Berry (TE)
Ques Sun Illness - 01 / 01 / 22Bobby Massie (T)
Out Sat Concussion - 08 / 01 / 22Nate Hairston (CB)
Out indefinitely Illness - 06 / 01 / 22Noah Fant (TE)
Prob Sat Quadricep - 04 / 01 / 22Melvin Gordon III (RB)
Prob Sat Hip - 04 / 01 / 22Shelby Harris (DE)
Ques Sat Ankle - 04 / 01 / 22Kareem Jackson (S)
I-R Back - 04 / 01 / 22Shamar Stephen (DL)
Prob Sat Quadricep - 04 / 01 / 22Pat Surtain II (CB)
Out indefinitely Calf - 04 / 01 / 22Javonte Williams (RB)
Prob Sat Knee - 04 / 01 / 22Drew Lock (QB)
Prob Sat Shoulder - 03 / 01 / 22Injuries
player (position) status ats*current o/u* notes Penei Sewell (T) Out Sun Thumb - 08 / 01 / 22 0-1 1-0 + - Sewell is battling a thumb injury, and he will not take on the Packers on Sunday.
Hunter Bryant (TE) Out indefinitely Illness - 05 / 01 / 22 0-1 1-0 + - Bryant has been moved to the IR/COVID-19 list, and team officials have yet to provide an exact return date.
Jonah Jackson (OL) Ques Sun Elbow - 05 / 01 / 22 0-1 1-0 + - Jackson has an elbow injury, and it is up in the air if he will partake in Sunday's showdown against the Packers.
Jalen Reeves-Maybin (LB) Ques Sun Shoulder - 05 / 01 / 22 0-1 1-0 + - Reeves-Maybin is nursing a shoulder injury, and it is uncertain if he will play against the Packers on Sunday.
Brock Wright (TE) Ques Sun Groin - 05 / 01 / 22 0-1 1-0 + - Wright is dealing with a groin issue, leaving his availability against the Packers clouded.
Joel Heath (DE) Out indefinitely Illness - 04 / 01 / 22 0-1 1-0 + - Heath has been added to the IR/COVID-19 list, and a date for his return is unclear.
Austin Bryant (DE) Out indefinitely Illness - 03 / 01 / 22 0-1 1-0 + - Bryant has been assigned to the IR/COVID-19 list, and it has yet to be established when he can return.
Taylor Decker (T) Out indefinitely Illness - 03 / 01 / 22 0-1 1-0 + - Decker has been posted to the IR/COVID-19 list after testing positive for the virus, and it has yet to be established when he can return.
Penei Sewell (T) Out indefinitely Illness - 03 / 01 / 22 0-1 1-0 + - Sewell has been shuttled to the IR/COVID-19 list, and it is undecided when he will return to action.
Rashod Berry (TE) Ques Sun Illness - 01 / 01 / 22 1-1 1-1 + - Berry missed the previous game due to an illness, and it is unknown if he will take the field against the Packers on Sunday.
player (position) status ats*current o/u* notes Bobby Massie (T) Out Sat Concussion - 08 / 01 / 22 0-1 1-0 + - Massie will not suit up against the Chiefs on Saturday due to a concussion.
Nate Hairston (CB) Out indefinitely Illness - 06 / 01 / 22 0-1 1-0 + - Hairston has been added to the IR/COVID-19 list, and it has yet to be decided when he will return to action.
Noah Fant (TE) Prob Sat Quadricep - 04 / 01 / 22 0-1 1-0 + - Fant is tending to a quadricep injury, but it is anticipated that he will be active for Saturday's battle with the Chiefs.
Melvin Gordon III (RB) Prob Sat Hip - 04 / 01 / 22 0-1 1-0 + - Gordon III is hampered by a hip injury, but it is likely that he will face the Chiefs on Saturday.
Shelby Harris (DE) Ques Sat Ankle - 04 / 01 / 22 0-1 1-0 + - Harris is managing an ankle injury, and it is up in the air if he will partake in Saturday's tilt against the Chiefs.
Kareem Jackson (S) I-R Back - 04 / 01 / 22 0-1 1-0 + - Jackson has been ticketed for the injured reserve list due to a back and shoulder injury.
Shamar Stephen (DL) Prob Sat Quadricep - 04 / 01 / 22 0-1 1-0 + - Stephen is dealing with a quadricep injury, but it is projected that he will be in Saturday's lineup versus the Chiefs.
Pat Surtain II (CB) Out indefinitely Calf - 04 / 01 / 22 0-1 1-0 + - Surtain II has been placed on the injured reserve list with a calf injury, and a date for his return is unclear.
Javonte Williams (RB) Prob Sat Knee - 04 / 01 / 22 0-1 1-0 + - Williams is managing a knee injury, but it is anticipated that he will take the field Saturday versus the Chiefs.
Drew Lock (QB) Prob Sat Shoulder - 03 / 01 / 22 0-1 1-0 + - Lock is expected to partake in Saturday's game against the Chiefs despite a shoulder injury.