Detroit Lions at Denver Broncos: Betting Guide

The Broncos are looking to win back-to-back home games for the first time. They have won four of the last five home games against Detroit.

This is the 19th game in a row that Detroit is listed by the NFL picks against the spread as an underdog. The Lions are 2-15-1 in those games but are 11-7 against the spread.

• Game: Detroit Lions (1-10-1) at Denver Broncos (6-6)
• Location: Empire Field at Mile High
• Day/Time: Sunday, 4:05 p.m. ET
• Television: FOX

Betting Lines

Head-to-Head

The Denver Broncos were listed as eight-point favorites in the last meeting with the Detroit Lions in 2019.

The game was tied at 10 at halftime and the Lions took the lead on a Kenny Golladay touchdown reception late in the third quarter before Denver scored a pair of fourth-quarter touchdowns for the 27-17 win. It was Denver’s second straight win over the Lions with the Broncos covering in both games.

The game went over the 44-point total on a touchdown run by Philip Lindsay with 8:21 left to play.

Detroit Lions

Next game: vs. Arizona

Last Game

The Detroit Lions were listed by the NFL point spreads as seven-point underdogs against the visiting Minnesota Vikings.

Minnesota jumped in front with a pair of field goals in the first quarter but the inability to reach the end zone proved costly. Previously winless Detroit outscored the Vikings 20-0 in the second half to take a 14-point lead at halftime.

Minnesota would take a 27-23 lead with 1:50 left to play before Jared Goff’s touchdown pass on the final play of the game lifted Detroit to the 29-27 win.

While it was Detroit’s first win, it was the fourth game in a row that the Lions covered. The game went over the 47½-point total on Justin Jefferson’s touchdown reception with 1:50 remaining. The previous three Detroit games had all finished under the total.

Injury Report

Receiver Trinity Benson (knee), cornerback Jerry Jacobs (neck), defensive lineman John Pensini (illness), safety Bobby Pirce (shoulder), linebacker Jalen Reeves-Maybin (shoulder), offensive lineman Matt Nelson (ankle) are questionable.

Offensive lineman Evan Brown (illness) is on the reserve/COVID-19 list. Receiver Quintez Cephus (shoulder), offensive linemen Logan Steinberg and Frank Ragnow (toe), kicker Austin Seibert (hip), cornerbacks Jeff Okudah (Achilles) and AJ Parker (ankle), linebacker Shaun Dion Hamilton, defensive end Trey Flowers (knee)

Denver Broncos

Next game: vs. Cincinnati

Last Game

The visiting Denver Broncos were listed by the scores and odds as 8½-point underdogs against the Kansas City Chiefs.

Denver trailed by seven at halftime but a pair of field goals and a defensive touchdown gave Kansas City a 19-point lead. A Teddy Bridgewater touchdown pass with 5:12 left capped the scoring in the Chiefs’ 22-9 win.

The game went under the 46½-point total and was the fifth straight game involving Denver that finished under the total.

Injury Report

Running back Melvin Gordon (hip), linebacker Micah Kiser (groin), cornerback Michael Ojemudia (hamstring), defensive lineman Mike Purcell (thumb) are questionable. Offensive lineman Calvin Anderson (knee) is on injured reserve. Safety Jamar Johnson (quadricep) and center Brett Jones (bicep) are out.

Gordon is expected to practice this week and could return to the field against Detroit.

Coach Vic Fangio expects running back Melvin Gordon to practice at some point this week https://t.co/wQFhTFCsnD

— Denver Post Sports (@DPostSports) December 7, 2021

Betting on the Game

Denver is in the AFC playoff race and only plays teams with winning records the rest of the way after the Lions. A loss to a 1-10-1 Detroit team would certainly make the road to the playoffs all the more challenging.

The game will feature a pair of talented young running backs. Rookie Javonte Williams ran for 102 yards and added 76 more on six receptions against Kansas City last week as he handled a larger role due to the absence of veteran Melvin Gordon. Williams (+8000) is tied for third in the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year odds although he is well behind the frontrunners as New England quarterback Mac Jones is at -550 and Cincinnati receiver Ja’Marr Chase is at +350

Only two running backs have been targeted more in the passing game than Detroit’s D’Andre Swift despite Swift not playing last week.

Detroit has covered against the Las Vegas odds in five of its last six games.

The total has gone under in each of Detroit’s last five road games and the total has gone under in each of Denver’s last six games so it could be a risk to expect the teams to top the 42-point total. The total has dropped from 44½ to 42 so that is something that is worth monitoring.