The Detroit Lions (1-10-1) travel to Mile High City Sunday for their Week 14 showdown with the Denver Broncos (6-6) on Empower Field at Mile High. The kickoff is set for 4:05 p.m. ET. Below, we look at the Lions vs. Broncos odds and lines, and make our best NFL picks, predictions and bets.
Detroit got off the schneid last week by upsetting the Minnesota Vikings 29-27 this past weekend when QB Jared Goff connected with rookie WR Amon-Ra St. Brown for a TD pass as time expired.
The Lions have covered four of their last five games and are 8-4 ATS and 4-8 O/U with the eighth-toughest schedule, according to Football Outsiders.
Denver lost 22-9 to the Kansas City Chiefs as 8.5-point road underdogs on Sunday Night Football in Week 13. The Broncos lost despite having 137 more total yards, seven more first downs and seven more minutes of ball possession.
The Broncos are 6-6 ATS and 2-10 O/U with the 28th-toughest schedule per Football Outsiders.
Also see: Bet Slippin’ Podcast: NFL Week 14 picks and predictions
Lions at Broncos odds, spread and lines
Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Saturday at 8:15 a.m. ET.
- Money line: Lions +330 (bet $100 to win $330) | Broncos -450 (bet $450 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Lions +10.5 (-120) | Broncos -10.5 (+100)
- Over/Under (O/U): 42.5 (O: -108 | U: -112)
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Lions at Broncos key injuries
Lions
- QB Jared Goff (illness) probable
- RB D’Andre Swift (shoulder) out
- TE T.J. Hockenson (hand) doubtful
- LG Jonah Jackson (illness) questionable
- C Evan Brown (health and safety protocols) questionable
- RG Halapoulivaati Vaitai (illness) questionable
- RT Penei Sewell (shoulder) questionable
- DE Michael Brockers (knee) questionable
- DE Nick Williams (illness) questionable
- LB Julian Okwara (ankle) out
Broncos
- RB Melvin Gordon (hip) questionable
- RB Mike Boone (health and safety protocols) questionable
- LB Bradley Chubb (shoulder) questionable
- DE Shelby Harris (ankle) questionable
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Lions at Broncos odds, lines, predictions and picks
Prediction
Broncos 27, Lions 24
Money line
PASS with a slight “lean” to the Lions (+330) because I “lean” to Detroit getting points, and that money line payout is fat.
I think Detroit’s momentum from last week’s win carries into this game, and the Lions play a one-score game with the Broncos.
Against the spread
“LEAN” to the LIONS +10.5 (-120) as more of a fade against a Broncos -10.5 (+100) team that shouldn’t be this big of a favorite vs. anyone.
I love betting Denver QB Teddy Bridgewater as an underdog. But, as a 10.5-point favorite and climbing, forget about it.
Also, the Broncos have a C- grade in total efficiency, according to Football Outsiders, and are 28th in defensive performance variance.
Sure, Detroit ranks in the basement of several NFL advanced metrics, but Denver is bad on third down, bad in the red zone and has played the fifth-easiest schedule in football.
Over/Under
“LEAN” to the OVER 42.5 (-108), and this will be my favorite bet in Lions-Broncos even with Lions RB D’Andre Swift out. The bottom line is I feel that Detroit getting its first win last week relaxes both teams, and we could see big plays as a result.
More importantly, I’m fading the market and bucking the recent trends. More than 85% of the cash at the time of publishing is on the Under, according to Pregame.com, and we know that 85% of the betting public doesn’t win.
Also, the market is betting the obvious play since these teams have a combined 6-18 O/U record this season. But, both defenses are bad, and each offensive line has an edge in pass and run blocking vs. the defensive lines, according to Pro Football Focus.
Also see: All Week 14 odds and lines
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