NFL

Detroit Lions vs. Denver Broncos Predictions, Odds, Picks

VegasInsider Staff Sports Betting Expert

5 minute read

Dec. 12, 2021

Michael Crosson
VI Betting Expert
VegasInsider.com

Week 14 NFL Picks & Predictions

Games Scheduled for 1:00 p.m. ET

The 14th week of regular-season NFL action will resume Sunday mid-afternoon with a compelling non-conference bout between the Detroit Lions and Denver Broncos. Coverage begins from Empower Field at 4:05 p.m. ET on CBS.

Score Prediction

Broncos 24, Lions 16

Best Bets

Under 42.5 (-110) at DraftKings

Detroit Lions vs. Denver Broncos Predictions

After finishing last in the AFC West with a record of 5-11 last year, Denver stormed out to a surprisingly strong start to the new season, as the Broncos kicked things off with wins in three straight games – which included victories over somewhat flimsy opponents in the Giants, Jaguars, and Jets.

Denver has consistently struggled since starting 3-0 though, considering the Broncos enter this Sunday’s contest following losses in six of the last nine games – with half of those losses coming in matchups they were favored in.

On the other hand, Detroit stumbled out to a miserable start to the new season, as the Lions opened the year with losses in eight straight games – with five of those losses coming by a double-digit margin.

Detroit has looked rather average since starting 0-8 though, considering the Lions enter Sunday’s contest riding a surprisingly competitive 1-2-1 run – with both of those losses coming by three points or less.

I’ll take the under here, as the Lions probably won’t get much going offensively against Denver’s third-ranked scoring defense (18.2 PPG) – while Detroit’s defense has also held strong lately, having surrendered 16 PTS or less in three of the last four games (18 PPG).

Detroit Lions vs. Denver Broncos Betting Odds

More Odds | Futures Odds

The Broncos enter Sunday’s contest favored by roughly ten points over the visiting Lions – marking the first time Denver has been favored in a matchup since hosting Washington in Week 8.

The total for Sunday’s matchup is stationed just north of OU 42 at most shops, which marks the highest over-under set for a Broncos’ game since visiting Cleveland in Week 7.

Detroit Lions vs. Denver Broncos Betting Resources

Matchup: NFC North vs. AFC West
Date: Sunday, December 12, 2021
Venue: Empower Field at Mile High Stadium
Location: Denver, Colorado
TV-Time: FOX - 4:05 p.m. ET

Week 14 NFL Picks & Predictions

Games Scheduled for 4:05 p.m. through 8:20 p.m. ET

Detroit Lions Betting Analysis

Straight Up - SU, Against the Spread - ATS, Over-Under (O/U)

SU: 1-10-1
ATS: 8-4
O/U: 4-8
ATS - Home: 4-2
ATS - Away: 4-2

After losing eight straight games to kick off the Jared Goff era in Detroit, the Lions quickly became the league’s stand-alone bottom-dwellers – losing three consecutive games by nine points or more to the Rams, Bengals, and Eagles across Weeks 6 through 8.

The Lions have looked decent since their Week 9 bye though, considering Detroit has now covered the spread in four straight games – with their only losses across that span coming in highly competitive matchups against the Bears (16-14) and Browns (13-10).

Denver Broncos Betting Analysis

Straight Up - SU, Against the Spread - ATS, Over-Under (O/U)

SU: 6-6
ATS: 6-6
O/U: 2-10
ATS - Home: 3-3
ATS - Away: 3-3

After finishing last in the AFC West last year, the Broncos made a fascinating decision to acquire Bridgewater from Carolina during the offseason – and it worked flawlessly to start, as Denver dominated the Giants, Jaguars, and Jets to kick off the new season.

Denver’s initial success was incredibly short-lived though, as the Broncos ultimately drew some tougher matchups across Weeks 4 through 7 – which resulted in relatively non-competitive losses to the Ravens, Browns, Raiders, and Steelers (-37).

The Broncos have been tough to gauge since their four-game losing streak though, as Denver enters Sunday’s contest riding a lopsided 3-2 run, which includes solid victories over the Cowboys, Chargers, and Washington (+36) – and blowout losses to the Chiefs and Eagles (-30).

(AP) The total has gone under in six straight Broncos games.

Inside the Stats - Detroit Lions

Record: 1-10-1
Division Standing: 4th - NFC North
Points Scored: 203
Points Allowed: 316
PS/G: 16.9 (29th)
PA/G: 26.3 (28th)

Inside the Stats - Denver Broncos

Record: 6-6
Division Standing: 3rd - AFC West
Points Scored: 237
Points Allowed: 218
PS/G: 19.8 (23rd)
PA/G: 18.2 (3rd)

Key Players to Watch

DET: Jared Goff - QB (66.7% CMP, 2,576 YDS, 13 TD, 7 INT)
DET: Amon-Ra St. Brown - WR (Wk. 13 vs. MIN, 10 REC, 86 YDS, TD)
DEN: Teddy Bridgewater - QB (67.3% CMP, 2,775 YDS, 16 TD, 7 INT)
DEN: Javonte Williams - RB (Wk. 13 @ KC, 23 CAR, 6 REC, 178 TOT YDS, TD)

Detroit Lions vs. Denver Broncos Betting Conclusion

After picking up their first win of the season last Sunday, the Lions enter this week’s contest as a 10-point underdog against the Broncos at Empower Field – marking the first time Denver has been favored in a matchup since Week 8.

I’ll take the under here, as both of these defenses have played excellent lately, with the Lions allowing just 18 PPG and forcing 1.8 turnovers per game across their latest four-game stretch – and the Broncos surrendering 17 PTS or less in four of their last six games (18 PPG).

Detroit Lions vs. Denver Broncos Betting Trends

The Lions are 5-1 ATS across the last six games.
The Broncos are 3-6 ATS across the last nine games.
The total has gone UNDER in eight of the last ten Lions games.
The total has gone UNDER in six straight Broncos games.

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