Lions vs. Broncos, 12/22/19 NFL Week 16 Predictions & Betting Odds

Lions vs. Broncos Sunday Prediction

A pair of teams that are simply playing out the final string of games in 2019 will square off in Denver on Sunday when the Broncos host the Lions at 4:05 p.m. ET. Will the Broncos cover as a sizable home favorite?

Game Snapshot

457 Detroit Lions (+7) at 458 Denver Broncos (-7); O/U 38

4:05 p.m. ET, Sunday, December 22, 2019

Empower Field at Mile High

Public Betting Trends

According to our NFL Football Public Betting Chart page, the Broncos are receiving 71% of the betting tickets from online sportsbooks.

Detroit Lions Fantasy Spin

Lions activated RB Kerryon Johnson (knee) from injured reserve. Coach Matt Patricia said the team would "try to be smart" with Johnson's usage, but they've obviously already failed that approach in simply activating their franchise cornerstone for two meaningless contests in Weeks 16 and 17. Unfortunately, Johnson's talent (when healthy) isn't enough to buck the altitude in Denver with David Blough under center. The stud runner can be left on waiver wires and sought after for Best-Ball leagues in March.

Denver Broncos Fantasy Spin

Noah Fant caught 2-of-3 targets for 56 yards in the Broncos' Week 15 loss to the Chiefs. Fant missed the entire second quarter after coming down hard on his shoulder following a chunk gain to convert a fourth and one. Drew Lock also looked his way on an ill-advised interception in the end zone. This Broncos’ run-first offense hasn’t allowed Fant or Courtland Sutton to see anything close to double-digit targets on a weekly basis, but both remains firmly on the fantasy grid thanks to their respective big-play ability. Treat Fant as a low-end and boom-or-bust TE1 for the Broncos’ Week 16 matchup against the Lions.

NFL Betting Trends

Detroit

The Lions are 17-36-2 against the spread in their last 55 games after allowing more than 30 points in their previous game.

Denver

The Broncos are 4-10-1 against the spread in their last 15 games after allowing more than 250 yards passing in their previous game.

Prediction

This Detroit team has been terrible all season, both straight up and against the spread. The Lions have covered the number just twice over their last 10 games and only once (as a 5.5-point underdog versus the Bears on Thanksgiving Day) over their last nine games. Meanwhile, the Broncos are still playing hard despite being out of playoff contention. They did not play sharp last week in the snow at Arrowhead but the fact remains they’re 2-1 since Drew Lock took over as the starter. I don’t love laying a full seven points with a 5-9 team starting a rookie under center, but I love backing the Lions with a third-stringer at quarterback even less.

NFL Week 16 Prediction: Denver Broncos -7