The weather will be unusually nice in Denver, but I still have trouble picturing the Lions scoring more than 14 points down probably their two best offensive players in running back D'Andre Swift and tight end TJ Hockenson. No. 2 running back Jamaal Williams is among a handful of guys out in COVID protocols. Will the Broncos score north of, say, 27 points to send this game Over? Doubtful.

If the Lions did not overly celebrate their first win of 2021 from last Sunday, they should stay within single digits in Denver. A five-game ATS win streak has bumped their cover record to 8-4. The absence of RB D’Andre Swift limits the offense, but Denver’s O stalls more often than not, scoring under 20 points in four of the past six outings. Mild weather will be welcome for the visitors from the Motor City accustomed to playing indoors.

This line briefly came down to 7.5 before steaming to 10 on Thursday as bettors buy in to a Lions hangover following their first win of the season. At 7.5, I was ready to jump on the Broncos also. At 10? I'll back Detroit to cover for a fifth straight game. The Lions passing game looked miles better last week against Minnesota, while the Broncos' inconsistency on offense has led to scoring at least 20 points just three times in their last nine games. The implied final score of this game based on the total in Denver 26-16, but I feel better about the Lions getting to 17 points than I do the Broncos getting to 27 right now (though I think both happen).