Broncos scouting report: How Denver matches up against Lions and predictions

Lions (1-10-1) at Broncos (6-6)

When: 2:05 p.m. MST, Sunday.

Where: Empower Field at Mile High

Radio/TV: 850 AM, 94.1 FM/KDVR-31

Weather: Partly cloudy with a high of 57 degrees.

Broncos-Lions series: Broncos are 8-5 in 13 regular-season games dating back to 1971; the Broncos won 27-17 in the last meeting, on Dec. 22, 2019, at Empower Field.

Key matchup

Broncos WR Courtland Sutton vs Lions CB Amani Oruwariye

For a Broncos aerial attack that hasn’t surpassed 250 yards passing for six straight games, Teddy Bridgewater and his targets need a wake-up game.

“Our whole passing game needs to improve a little bit,” coach Vic Fangio pointed out. “We never got into a rhythm last week (against Kansas City). The week before (against the Chargers), we didn’t have a lot of the yards either. We just need to get our passing game, as a whole, in a better rhythm.”

Though the Lions’ secondary ranks in the bottom third of football in average passing yards allowed, cornerback Amani Oruwariye might hinder Bridgewater’s ability to find a rhythm. Oruwariye is tied for third in the NFL with five interceptions, and is having a career year after one pick last year and two as a rookie in 2019.

Oruwariye is likely to be on Courtland Sutton in man coverage, considering Denver’s other top wideout, Jerry Jeudy, spends so much time in motion and in the slot.

Sutton has been mired in a relative drought of his own. He has only nine catches over his last five games, with 32 receiving yards across the past two games and no touchdowns since Week 6. And it’s not like he’s taking heat off Jeudy, who doesn’t yet have a TD this year.

In order for Sutton to get open against Oruwariye, offensive coordinator Pat Shumur said Sutton will need to create separation before he gets into his route, and as the pass is in the air.

“We’ve got to be good at the line of scrimmage, and then down the field, we have to be really aggressive to the ball,” Shurmur said.

Who has the edge?

Quarterback

Teddy Bridgewater is coming off his second multi-interception game of the year, including a pick-six, in the loss to Kansas City. Jared Goff, in his first year with Detroit after being traded from the Rams, is coming off two of his best games in an overall poor season. Edge: Even

Running back

Denver’s used the combination of rookie Javonte Williams and veteran Melvin Gordon all season long, although Gordon missed last week with a hip injury. Mike Boone is a capable No. 3. D’Andre Swift and Jamaal Williams are the Lions’ one-two punch, but Swift is likely to miss Sunday’s game. Edge: Broncos

Receiver/tight end

The Broncos’ wideouts (Jerry Jeudy, Courtland Sutton and Tim Patrick) have been relatively quiet lately. Same with tight ends Noah Fant and Albert Okwuegbunam, who haven’t caught a TD since Week 6. Tight end T.J. Hockenson is Goff’s top target. Edge: Broncos

Offensive line

After a bunch of shuffling through the first 13 weeks, the Broncos have gotten their health back up front. Rookie right guard Quinn Meinerz will be tested again. Detroit’s front is anchored by veteran guard Halapoulivaati Vaitai and rookie tackle Penei Sewell. Edge: Broncos

Defensive line

Dre’Mont Jones has come on strong over the past month alongside Shelby Harris and Mike Purcell. McTelvin Agim, Shamar Stephen and DeShawn Williams are quality depth. Michael Brockers and Detroit’s defensive front have struggled to generate pressure. Edge: Broncos

Linebacker/Edge rusher

Bradley Chubb’s played the last two weeks in his return from ankle surgery, but is dealing with ankle/shoulder injuries. Malik Reed has been consistent, and Jonathon Cooper keeps improving. Charles Harris and Austin Bryant are the Lions’ top rushers. Edge: Broncos

Secondary

Justin Simmons and Pat Surtain II both have four interceptions on the year, and Denver’s secondary held up well against the Chiefs’ high-powered passing attack last week. Amani Oruwariye is the Lions’ top cornerback, as the third-year pro has five picks. Edge: Broncos

Special teams

The weekly occurrence of a special teams blunder happened again with a botched punt return against Kansas City. Still, Denver has one of the top kickers (Brandon McManus) and top punters (Sam Martin). Riley Patterson is the Lions’ recently-signed kicker. Edge: Even

Tale of the tape

* Through Week 13

By the numbers

2 — The number of NFL teams that have a pair of 600-yard rushers this year — Dallas (Ezekiel Elliot and Tony Pollard have combined for 1,367 yards) and Denver (Melvin Gordon and Javonte Williams have combined for 1,275 yards).

178 — Javonte Williams’ yards from scrimmage in his first career start last week in Kansas City, the most by a rookie running back this season.

31.5% — Detroit’s third-down conversion percentage, which ranks last; the Broncos are 24th at 36.8%.

67.3% — Teddy Bridgewater’s completion percentage this season, which is 10th among all QBs.

2011 — The last time the Lions beat the Broncos in Denver, a 45-10 thrashing at Sports Authority Field on Oct. 30 of that year.

Betting/fantasy

Line: Broncos -7.5

So long as the Broncos don’t lay an egg, this is a safe spread to put money on Denver despite the team being 2-3 as a home favorite this year. There’s a reason the Lions have the fewest wins in the NFL, so Teddy Bridgewater & Co. will have ample chances to find a groove.

Prop bet: 41.5-point over/under

Bet the under. Both offenses have been anemic in 2021, and the Broncos defense is trending upward after a strong performance in K.C. Count on a couple turnovers by each team and Jared Goff & Co. to revert to the norm that’s earned them 10 losses already this season.

Fantasy play: RB Javonte Williams

Melvin Gordon will probably get a lighter workload than normal considering he’s coming back off injury, while Williams turned in his best pro performance yet last week. Nothing on tape suggests the Lions will be able to consistently tackle Williams or prevent plus runs by him.

Post predictions

Kyle Newman, beat writer: Broncos 24, Lions 10

With their season on the line, the Broncos dispatch one of the NFL’s dregs with ease as Pat Surtain has another interception and the Denver run game sets a physical tone the Lions can’t match.

Ryan O’Halloran, beat writer: Broncos 27, Lions 17

It won’t be pretty — few Broncos games are — but the defense creates three takeaways and the offense rushes for 150 yards as they keep their playoff hopes alive.

Sean Keeler, columnist: Broncos 23, Lions 14

For Team Jekyll & Hyde, it’s back to sunshine. The Motor City Kitties are 0-9 when trailing at the break this season. They’re 30th in the league in first-half points. They’re 28th in run defense. Basically, they’re the perfect get-well pill before Cincy comes to town.

Source: Read Full Article