Denver Broncos: Game picks and predictions vs. Detroit Lions

The Predominantly Orange Staff gives their prediction for the Denver Broncos vs. Detroit Lions and picks their winner for this Week 16 matchup.

Although officially eliminated from playoff contention, the Denver Broncos will try to end their season on a positive note as they enter a two-game homestand to end the season, beginning with a matchup against the Detroit Lions.

The Denver Broncos found themselves blown out in Week 15 against the division rival Kansas City Chiefs, 23-3. Although the Broncos defense was able to stop the bleeding a bit and prevented a higher score, the offense was never able to get anything going, and Drew Lock looked like a rookie in his first snowstorm game. The loss ensured another losing season for the Broncos, and the playoff hopes will be put off for at least another season.

While there was not much positivity from the Broncos’ blunder, Shelby Harris and Kareem Jackson, who, unfortunately, we will not see again in 2019 due to suspension, had stellar performances and put the league on notice as to why they are deserving of new contracts. Hopefully, the Broncos’ front office was paying attention.

Meanwhile, the Detroit Lions find themselves in a similar boat. Sitting at 3-10 after losing Matt Stafford to a back injury, which was deemed season-ending as of Tuesday, Dec 17th, when the Lions finally placed Stafford on IR. Although in a competitive division in the AFC North among teams like the Packers, Vikings, and Bears, and although Stafford is truly a great QB, the Lions have not been able to keep pace, and have never had any true playoff success with Stafford at the helm.

Head coach and former Patriots’ defensive coordinator Matt Patricia may feel his seat getting a little hot, and it is worth wondering if the Lions will draft a QB in the 2020 NFL draft to prepare a successor to Stafford sooner rather than later.

While Sunday’s game has no significant meaning, each team will look to finish strong.

Let’s see how the Predominantly Orange staff predict the game will go and see who they’re rolling with in this Week 16 matchup.

Ty Walden

The Denver Broncos are now out of the playoff race. It is very unfortunate, but it is what it is. What the team can do is salvage the final two games and go in 2020 with some momentum.

Detroit should be a good start to get the sixth win of the season. They are currently banged up and are starting David Blough, whom I never even heard of until this season. They have already lost 10 games this year. And Denver will try to avoid that tenth loss if they can.

I think Drew Lock has a bounce-back game and the defense flexes their muscles against a team who has lost seven straight games. I think it becomes eight.

Broncos 31, Lions 19

Shelby Manning

While the Denver Broncos looked like their record against the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday and bounced themselves out of the playoff picture, I truly do not think it is anything to fret over too much. To me, it was not a huge shock that the young Drew Lock and the Broncos were outplayed by a better team who is a strong contender. These things happen, especially with a rookie QB, and to be blunt, this team is not yet poised for a playoff run.

The Broncos have a real opportunity to end the season with some momentum built up for 2020, a season in which Drew Lock has likely punched his ticket as the starting QB going forward. The Broncos have a good chance to get their 6th win on the season against the struggling Detroit Lions, a matchup in which the Broncos have emerged as a favorite. However, the Broncos will need to click on both sides of the ball to win.

The Lions will be a starting a David Blough, definitely not a household name. It would do the Broncos’ defense good to not make him one this weekend, and I anticipate that after their embarrassing performance versus the Chiefs, they won’t. I think the Broncos play just well enough to win.

Broncos 24, Lions 14.

Andrew Wade 

The Lions are one of the worst teams in the NFL which means it should be a nice rebound game from what happened in Kansas City. Despite missing several starters on defense, the Denver Broncos should have a good enough game plan to hold Detroit’s limited offensive weapons in check.

Broncos 30, Lions 17

Sayre Bedinger

I think the Broncos are going to destroy the Lions in a game that could be a bit rough around the edges.

Both teams are struggling with injuries on both sides of the ball, but the Broncos are coming off of a dud and I think we’ll see them bounce back extremely well.

Broncos 27, Lions 10