Detroit Lions at Denver Broncos
Sunday, 10/30/11, 4:05 PM EST, TV: FOX
Opening Point Spread: Detroit -3.5
Current Betting Line: Detroit -2.5
Opening Total: 44.5
Current Total: 41.5
Odds Courtesy of Bookmaker
The Detroit Lions will try to avoid a three-game losing streak following a 5-0 start when they visit the Denver Broncos on Sunday. The status of Detroit starting quarterback Matthew Stafford remains up in the air, as he is listed as questionable on the injury report but practiced on Friday. Meanwhile, the Broncos (2-4) are hoping their QB Tim Tebow continues to give them a spark in his first home start of the season.
Tebow gave Denver a huge lift last week in leading the team to an 18-15 overtime victory at Miami. After trailing for most of the game, the Broncos scored 15 points in the final 2:44 to force OT, with Tebow doing most of his damage on the last couple drives of regulation, overcoming a terrible start. The former Florida star’s national championship team was honored at halftime, and he ended up completing 13 of 27 passes for 161 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions.
Broncos kicker Matt Prater also redeemed himself for missing two field goals earlier in the game, kicking the game-winning 52-yarder in the extra session. Prater had missed just one field-goal attempt prior to that this year, and he missed only two last season.
The Lions (-2.5, O/U 41.5) have gone 3-0 on the road this season but will have to deal with Tebow mania after losing their last two at home. Stafford is recovering from an ankle injury suffered in a 23-16 loss to Atlanta last week. He completed just 15 of 32 passes for 183 yards with one touchdown and no interceptions.
Detroit played against the Falcons without running back Jahvid Best, who remains out due to a concussion. The team is hoping Best will be able to return to action following a bye next week, but his season is in doubt if he does not show improvement.
First-round draft pick Nick Fairley is also doubtful for the Lions after aggravating his surgically repaired left foot last week. The former Auburn defensive tackle was expected to form one of the top defensive line combos in the NFL alongside All-Pro Ndamukong Suh, last year’s first-round selection.
Detroit is 9-2-1 against the spread in its last 12 games and 3-1 ATS in the past four meetings with Denver. The Broncos are 7-18-2 ATS in their last 27 home games and 2-2 straight-up in Tebow’s four career starts. The OVER is 20-7 in Denver’s past 27 games overall.
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