Two struggling teams looking more to the future than the present, the Detroit Lions (3-10-1) travel play to the Denver Broncos (5-9) Sunday at Empower Field at Mile High at 4:05 p.m. ET (on CBS). We analyze the Lions-Broncos odds and sports betting lines, while providing betting tips and advice on this Week 16 NFL matchup.
Lions at Broncos: Week 16 preview, betting trends and notes
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- The Lions are 9-5 O/U on the season.
- Denver has played to the Under in 17 of its last 23 games and 10 of its last 13 home games.
- When Detroit is supposed to lose, it usually does. The Lions are 1-8 against the spread (ATS) in its last nine games and 0-7 against the moneyline in the last seven.
- Denver is 4-2 at home ATS.
- Detroit is a stiff on the road, going 1-5-1 straight up and 2-5 ATS away from home.
- The Broncos are 1-5 against the moneyline in their last six games against teams from the NFC North.
Lions at Broncos: Key injuries
Broncos: The offensive line is thin with OT Ja’Wuan James (knee) and guard Ron Leary (concussion) out, while G Dalton Risner (illness) is questionable after missing two of three practice sessions, including Friday’s. TE Noah Fant (shoulder) and DEs DeMarcus Walker (ankle) and Dre’Mont Jones (ankle) are also questionable.
Lions: The laundry list of injuries just keeps growing. DT A’Shawn Robinson (shoulder), LB Christian Jones (shoulder) and OT Rick Wagner (knee) are out. LB Devon Kennard (hamstring) and previous starting RB Bo Scarbrough (ribs) are questionable.
Lions at Broncos: Odds, betting lines and prediction
Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Friday at 10:45 p.m. ET.
Prediction
Broncos 23, Lions 13
Moneyline (?)
The problem here is how much you have to give up on Denver (-304), but, if you had to make a bet on this, it might be the play to make because few believe the Lions (+240) can compete simply because of the injuries. This is the one wager option to AVOID the most.
Against the Spread (?)
The spread has wavered from 6.5 to 7 and back again. The difference between 6.5 and 7 is big in the NFL. The BRONCOS -6.5 (-115) will take that hook (the half point), but they probably won’t need it. The Lions (-106), with a spread less than a touchdown, doesn’t make a lot of outward sense. Take the BRONCOS and go heavy if you have that same feeling.
Over/Under (?)
This is the one that will likely get the most action because the line is a pee-wee 37.5 (-110 on both sides). Over/Unders don’t get much lower than that in the NFL for a reason. It doesn’t take a lot to hit that number. Barring a defensive or special teams touchdown, can two QBs who still can count their starts on one hand be counted on to score four or five touchdowns? Take the UNDER 37.5 (-110) with tepid confidence.
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