(Photo: CBS Colorado)
Intriguing Game- NFL, Week 15
Denver Broncos at Detroit Lions
Broncos: The Texans game was absolutely heartbreaking, but then again, they did themselves no favors. When you turn the football over, you will not win football games and Russell Wilson threw three interceptions, including one in the red zone which unfortunately sealed their fate. Just when I get back to singing the song, he struggles. “His name is Russell, Last Name Wilson”. Against the Los Angeles Chargers in week 14, the Broncos bounced back and so did the Quarterback. Russ completed 21 of his 33 pass attempts for 224 yards passing with two touchdown passes and one interception. Let’s put the bad game in Houston in the rearview. It happened and let’s move on from it. What I’ve seen is the Broncos catering to their Quarterback’s skillset. For most of the 2022 season, they were trying to keep Russ in the pocket which I’ll never understand because that’s never been his game and it never will be. Isn’t it amazing that the Denver Broncos are in playoff contention and months ago if you had said this, you’d laugh and say, “yeah right” because you thought it was all over after giving up 70 points back in September to the Miami Dolphins in week three. No matter what happens, all you can do is applaud the efforts that they didn’t throw the towel in and plan on looking ahead to the Spring for draft time. Here’s another amazing fact here too. They are only one game behind the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC West which is absolutely insane to even fathom. I give Sean Payton kudos for not allowing his team to settle when they were struggling. In the AFC Wild Card race, you have these Broncos, the Bills, Steelers, Colts, Browns and Bengals all vying for one of the three spots. On Saturday night, they will make a trip to Motown for a primetime game.
Lions: This is a completely different football team now compared to the beginning of the season. I remember after six games, many were calling them the best team in the NFC and some went as far as to refer to them as the best in the NFL. Let’s cool that down and not be in the moment. Have they been a good football team? Yes they have without question. Dating back to last season, they have improved immensely and have been atop the NFC North all year long. As of late, I haven’t liked what I’ve seen from them. Against the Chicago Bears in week 11, Jared Goff threw three interceptions and things looked bleak at that point. I ended up being impressed with them because they displayed mental toughness with coming back from a 12-point deficit and fought back to win that game. Against the Packers on Thanksgiving, they were punched in the mouth and Jordan Love ended up having the best game of his young career against them. Even in New Orleans against the Saints, they jumped out to a 21 point lead only to allow the Saints to jump back into the game. In week 14 against the Bears again, they were bullied and could never recover along with Jared Goff throwing two interceptions. The Lions are a good football team, but they aren’t quite there just yet and as of late, their inexperience has been showing. In the NFC, the 49ers, Cowboys and Eagles are all in their own bracket and I’d put the Lions a tier below them. They’re good, but I’m not giving them the elite title just yet. That’s where we need to slow down. However, they are headed in the right direction. I’ll say that much. They return home for an interconference showdown with Sean Payton’s Broncos on Saturday night.
Broncos X-Factor: Jerry Jeudy– The hype surrounding him was at an all time high. He was one of the best receivers in the country at Alabama. It’s been an adjustment for him in the NFL, but he’s coming along. Jerry has been playing up to his potential as of late. If you get him in a one on one look, get him the ball because he can make a defense pay for that. Look for him to be targeted often in this one.
Lions X-Factor: Brian Branch– I was such a fan of him in College and I can see him becoming one of the best Safeties in the NFL. Brian plays with range, he finds his way to the football and he can play in coverage. He appears to do everything you ask of him. Brian can defend a Tight End, he may pick up a Running Back in the flat or a receiver over the middle. Also, Brian is a ballhawk and will be that magnetic force to the ball.
Final Thoughts: Russell Wilson and Jared Goff know each other very well dating back to their days in the NFC West when they were with the Rams and Seahawks respectively. The Broncos are looking to remain in the Wild Card picture in the AFC while the Lions are closing in on their first NFC North division title in franchise history. I need to see this Lions pass rush wake up. I’ve noticed when their coverage is playing well, the pass rush isn’t there and when they are getting to the Quarterback, they struggle in the secondary. When you play Russell, you must be all in on him and contain him. Make him beat you from the pocket. Can the Broncos offense pick up where they left off in Inglewood the other day or will we see the efforts we did in Houston? Denver has won six of their last seven game, but I see the Lions finding a way to prevail. I like the Lions to win this game.
Prediction: Lions 28, Broncos 21
