Lions vs. Broncos Betting Odds And Preview

It finally happened last weekend. The Detroit Lions won!

They are going to have a tough time making it two in a row when they head to Denver to play the Broncos. As could be expected, the Broncos are favored in this game, but the Lions were able to overcome the odds last week. Why not this week, too?

Denver will need to win if it is going to keep its fading playoff hopes alive. Here are all the betting odds for Sunday’s game at Mile High.

Lions Vs. Broncos Betting Odds

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Detroit Lions (1-10-1 SU, 8-4 ATS)

Since the bye week, the Lions had been flirting with the idea of winning a game. Between injuries and poor play, they just couldn’t close the deal until last week. What’s surprising, though, is not that they won. The surprise was what led to the win — quarterback Jared Goff.

Against the Steelers, Browns, and Bears it was a combination of teams playing down to their level and their own running game that kept them in it. Against the Vikings, it was Goff throwing for 296 yards and three touchdowns.

It wasn’t a perfect game by Goff, of course. After getting the Lions out to a 14-point first-half lead, he helped the Vikings get back in the game with a couple of turnovers. But in the end, he looked like the guy that took the Rams to the Super Bowl a few years ago — effective, capable, and talented.

Jamaal Williams had a decent day running the ball (71 yards on 17 carries). Rookie wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown set new career marks with 10 receptions (12 targets) for 86 yards. The best catch was, of course, the 11-yard pass as time expired for the game-winning touchdown, his first in the NFL.

It will be harder to be as effective on offense against a tough Denver defense, but the Broncos are not a strong offensive team. If the Lions’ defense can play as well as it has the last four weeks, it is not hard to imagine the Lions making this one competitive.

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Denver Broncos (6-6 SU, 6-6 ATS)

The Broncos have struggled to find an identity. After starting the season with a three-game winning streak they lost four in a row. Then they bounced back with solid wins against the Washington Football Team and Dallas Cowboys, which they followed with a stinker against the Philadelphia Eagles.

But then a dominant defensive performance resulted in a win against the Chargers. While they ultimately lost to the Chiefs, 22-9, they did not play poorly. Yes, Teddy Bridgewater’s interceptions led to the loss, but the running game had a respectable 154 yards. The defense held the Chiefs to less than 300 yards on offense, and it did not allow Patrick Mahomes to throw a touchdown pass. Mahomes had less than 200 passing yards and threw one interception.

However, while the Broncos’ defense has been playing lights out, the offense is struggling. Against the Chiefs’ lackluster defense, they turned the ball over three times, one of which was a pick 6, and got stopped on fourth down three times.

Rookie RB Javonte Williams ran the ball well last week (102 yards on 23 carries), but Bridgewater is barely adequate on his best day. However, if he can protect the ball, the Broncos may be able to ride Williams and their defense to a win.

Betting Analysis

As well as the Lions’ offense played against the Vikings, it is hard to see it having a similar day against the Broncos’ talented defense. Chances are good the Broncos’ defense is not going to look too good in this game, either. It will not be surprising if this game ends up being a close, low-scoring contest with the winner being whoever makes the fewest mistakes.

Our Pick: Take the Lions +8.5.