Winners of six of their last seven, the Broncos are looking to continue their momentum in Week 15. Stick here for live updates and analysis as Denver takes on the Lions at Ford Field in Detroit.
Live updates
FINAL | Lions 42, Broncos 17
DETROIT —The Broncos hoped to prove themselves road warriors in the Motor City.
Instead, road kill.
Sean Payton’s team, playing its third straight December game away from home, ran out of gas in the first half Saturday night and watched the Lions roll on by, clear into the postseason.
The Broncos have a lot of work to do in order to reach the same destination after a 42-17 loss here, Parker Gabriel reports. Read the full story.
More Broncos coverage
- PHOTOS: Denver Broncos take on the Detroit Lions in NFL Week 15.
- Heroes and Zeros from Broncos’ loss to Detroit Lions: Jerry Jeudy one of Denver’s few bright spots in rout.
- Broncos four downs: Sean Payton might want to stop yelling at Russell Wilson and start screaming at himself.
Fourth-quarter updates
Touchdown, Lions (9:13 p.m.): Make that five touchdowns for Jared Goff — three of them to rookie tight end Sam LaPorta. The latest was a 10-yarder. Lions 42, Broncos 17 with 2:21 to go in the game. — Joe Nguyen
Touchdown, Broncos (9:01 p.m.): After a nice run by Samaje Perine, Russell Wilson scores on a 1-yard quarterback sneak. Lions 35, Broncos 17 with 6:28 to go. — Joe Nguyen
Broncos march right down the field against the Lions’ prevent defense, with Russell Wilson sneaking it in from a yard out. It’s 35-17 with 6:28 to go. Onside kick upcoming. — Matt Schubert
Jerry Jeudy injury (8:57 p.m.): After making a 15-yard reception, Jerry Jeudy was clobbered. He’s been taken to the medical tent to be evaluated. — Joe Nguyen
What’s next (8:51 p.m.): Among the things to figure out between now and New England on Christmas Eve: Rush defense, pass defense, pass protection, run blocking, tackling.
So, a few things. — Matt Schubert
Weird calls (8:49 p.m.): Some weird calls from Sean Payton in this one.
Not going for it on fourth-and-goal? Punting on fourth-and-10 when you absolutely need points?
It appears he’s packed it in for the night. — Matt Schubert
Late hit (8:47 p.m.): When it rains, it pours. Tremon Smith tackled Kalif Raymond after the punt returner waved for a fair catch. To be fair, it didn’t look like Smith saw him wave in the replay. — Joe Nguyen
Nearly amazing (8:46 p.m.):Marvin Mims Jr. tried joining the Lions’ rookies in making highlights today. Mims almost came down with a 35-yard catch, but couldn’t keep both feet in bounds. — Joe Nguyen
Touchdown, Lions (8:38 p.m.): Jahmyr Gibbs with a 12-yard touchdown run. Lions 35, Broncos 10 with 12:12 to go. — Joe Nguyen
8 carries
88 yardsEfficiency on the ground from Jahmyr Gibbs tonight.
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The Lions have now scored touchdowns on five straight drives. You can now see Miami territory off in the distance.
After several weeks of flowers, this is going to be a rough week for Vance Joseph. — Matt Schubert
Third-quarter analysis — Lions 28, Broncos 10
Third-quarter updates
Chewed out (8:32 p.m.): Feels like Sean Payton’s rage was a tad misplaced there. I’m guessing Russell Wilson did something wrong, but it sure looked like the Broncos scored twice there. — Matt Schubert
No challenge (8:30 p.m.): I’m kind of shocked that Denver didn’t try to challenge Javonte Williams’ run on third down or McLaughlin’s catch. It seemed like both players crossed the goal line. — Ryan McFadden
Field goal, Broncos (8:25 p.m.): After three plays at the goal line didn’t get into the end zone, the Broncos settled for a field goal. Lions 28, Broncos 10 with 43 seconds to go in the third quarter. — Joe Nguyen
An offside on the offensive line takes away a touchdown, and now it’s 28-10. A much different situation that 28-14 at this point in the game. — Matt Schubert
Challenge flags are heavy, apparently. — Sean Keeler
Denver driving (8:23 p.m.): Nice back-to-back plays by Jerry Jeudy and Courtland Sutton, who gained 19 and 12 yards, respectively. — Joe Nguyen
Big gain (8:18 p.m.): The Lions pressured Russell Wilson (again), but this time the Broncos quarterback was able to find Adam Trautman, who came off a block for a 24-yard gain. Denver needs a score on this drive. — Joe Nguyen
Sutton on Sutton violence (8:16 p.m.): Courtland Sutton was just tackled by Cameron Sutton. No relations. — Joe Nguyen
Silver lining (8:15 p.m.): As bad as things look — and, boy, do they look bad — the Broncos still have the Pats, Raiders and Chargers to close out the season. A loss here erases Denver’s margin for error. But 10-7 is still very much out there. — Matt Schubert
Touchdown, Lions (8:13 p.m.): Jared Goff connects with rookie tight end Sam LaPorta again. This time for a 3-yard touchdown. Lions 28, Broncos 7 with 7:01 to go in the third quarter. — Joe Nguyen
Huge run (8:10 p.m.): Jahmyr Gibbs takes off for a 34-yard run for Detroit. The Lions are on the Denver 4. — Joe Nguyen
Touchdown (8:03 p.m.): It stands. Lions 21, Broncos 7 with 10:34 to go in the third quarter. — Joe Nguyen
The jump ball goes to Lil'Jordan Humphrey!
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Well, the third-quarter curse has come to an end. Finally, starting with the ball in the second half actually works out for the Broncos. — Matt Schubert
Touchdown, Broncos? (8 p.m.): Another big play by Lil’Jordan Humphrey. He went up for a 3-yard touchdown catch. Replay to check if it’s good. Like I said, Denver needs the score. — Joe Nguyen
Sutton-esque! (If it counts.) — Sean Keeler
That touchdown looks good to me. — Ryan McFadden
Big first down (7:59 p.m.): On third-and-4, Russell Wilson connects with Lil’Jordan Humphrey, who battled his way for the first down to the Lions’ 6-yard line. Denver needs this score. — Joe Nguyen
Huge penalty (7:56 p.m.): Broncos get a much needed break with that DPI. — Ryan McFadden
Halftime analysis — Lions 21, Broncos 0
Parker Gabriel, beat writer: Sometimes the numbers do tell the whole story.
- Total yards: Detroit 279, Denver 75
- First downs: Detroit 17, Denver 4
- TOP: Detroit 18:26, Denver 11:34
Ryan McFadden, beat writer: The middle of the field has been easy money for Goff.
Sean Keeler, sports columnist: “Gridiron Heroes,” the Lions’ fight song, is bloody awful. And we’re … not … done … hearing … it … yet. Wake me when the Broncos show up. Better yet, wake THEM.
Second-quarter updates
So you’re saying there’s a chance (7:38 p.m.): If this were anyone but the Lions, I might say that’s game.
(OK, maybe the Chargers, too.) — Matt Schubert
Touchdown, Lions (7:36 p.m.): Jared Goff connected for a 15-yard touchdown to Amon-Ra St. Brown, who was up-ended by P.J. Locke as he flew into the end zone. Lions 21, Broncos 0 with 19 seconds to go until halftime. — Joe Nguyen
McGlinchey to return (7:29 p.m.): Per the Broncos’ radio broadcast, Mike McGlinchey’s been cleared to return to the game. — Parker Gabriel
Up the gut (7:28 p.m.):Jared Goff and coordinator Ben Johnson have cracked the middle of the field wide open. — Parker Gabriel
Backs to the wall (7:27 p.m.): This game is over if the Lions score another touchdown. I can’t see the Broncos making a miraculous comeback, especially how Detroit’s defense has been playing. Wilson rarely has had time to do anything in the pocket. — Ryan McFadden
Slow start (7:25 p.m.): This second quarter is getting worse by the snap. Another punt for the Broncos and a red-hot Lions offense is about to take the field once again. — Matt Schubert
Detroit’s speed on both sides of the ball has been killing the Broncos. — Ryan McFadden
Injury update (7:25 p.m.): McGlinchey out of the medical tent and back on the Broncos. — Parker Gabriel
Fourth-and-bold (7:22 p.m.):Kudos to Sean Payton there.
Not easy to go for it in that spot, but it’s the right call given what this Lions offense has done on the last two possessions. — Matt Schubert
Injury (7:21 p.m.): Broncos guard Mike McGlinchey was slow to get up after their fourth-and-1 attempt. Cam Fleming is in the game. — Joe Nguyen
Touchdown, Lions (7:11 p.m.): Jared Goff connects with Jahmyr Gibbs for the 9-yard touchdown. Lions 14, Broncos 0 with 8:15 to go in the half. — Joe Nguyen
Another TD! Their offensive rookies came to play tonight!
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Way too many yards after the catch for the Lions right now. This offense is for real.
Whatever cobwebs were in the Detroit huddle in the first half have been cleared out. Russ and Co. are going to have to put up some points tonight. — Matt Schubert
Are the Lions “Miami” fast? The last 8-9 minutes, they’ve sure as heck been playing “Miami” fast. Oh, crud. — Sean Keeler
Tackling issues (7:10 p.m.): Are we back in the early part of the season? Denver is struggling to tackle in the second quarter. — Joe Nguyen
QB pressure (7:07 p.m.): Wilson has been pressured on 66.7% of his dropbacks, per Next Gen Stats. — Ryan McFadden
Swarmed (7:05 p.m.): Aaron Glenn has Sean Payton’s number big time so far tonight. Not pretty for the Broncos’ offense. — Parker Gabriel
The Broncos can’t do anything against Detroit’s defense right now. — Ryan McFadden
The Broncos have landed themselves in three third-and-7-or-mores tonight. They’ve converted one. Ain’t built to move the chains like that. — Sean Keeler
Touchdown, Lions (6:59 p.m.): A costly missed tackle by Josey Jewell lets Sam LaPorta rumble into the end zone for a 19-yard touchdown reception. Lions 7, Broncos 0 with 12:31 to go. — Joe Nguyen
Sam LaPorta makes a move and finds the end zone!
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Bad tackling gives the Lions their first touchdown from Sam LaPorta. Josey Jewell absolutely has to make that play. — Matt Schubert
Sam LaPorta is having an incredible rookie year. Just shook Josey Jewell, a fellow Iowa Hawkeye, out of his shoes to score the first touchdown of the night.
LaPorta up to 750 receiving yards this year to go with seven TDs. — Parker Gabriel
Good tight end. Bad, bad, bad matchup. — Sean Keeler
Lions driving (6:58 p.m.): Detroit’s in the red zone now. — Joe Nguyen
First-quarter analysis — Broncos 0, Lions 0
Ryan McFadden, beat writer: The Broncos have played solid defense thus far, but if the Lions begin to focus more on the run game, it’s going to be a long night.
Sean Keeler, sports columnist: If Russ has to do all the cooking tonight, the Broncos are gonna get burned. Badly.
Matt Schubert, sports editor: All things considered, the Broncos are in a decent spot. The defense has done the work, and (again) bailed out a bad turnover from the offense. A 0-0 tie going into the second quarter is just fine. Keep this thing close, and maybe Russ can pull a rabbit out of his hat in the fourth.
Parker Gabriel, beat writer: The Broncos are once again proving that defense travels. But the Lions — hot take — are going to score some points in this game. The question is if the Denver offense can do the same.
First-quarter updates
Nasty hit (6:52 p.m.): I’m guessing Brian Branch will be paying a fine for that hit on Adam Trautman. That hit looked an awful lot like a few hits that drew fines on Kareem Jackson. — Matt Schubert
Courtland. Sutton. (6:47 p.m.): A nice 23-yard reception by Courtland Sutton on third-and 9 to keep Denver’s drive going. — Joe Nguyen
Courtland Sutton with another impressive catch. What else is new? — Ryan McFadden
Pricey penalties (6:46 p.m.): McFlinchey returns. — Matt Schubert
Denver defense (6:43 p.m.): The Lions are 0-3 on third down to start this game. Denver’s defense in those third down situations continues to be exceptional. — Ryan McFadden
All-Pro performance (6:42 p.m.): Pat Surtain, even when he’s trailing a receiver by a step, is just so smooth in coverage. Broncos losing the field position battle so far but have forced three punts from the high-powered Lions so far. — Parker Gabriel
Throwing game (6:41 p.m.): If I’m the Broncos, I’m thrilled with how much the Lions are throwing the football right now.
The count right now for the Lions:
- Passes: 10
- Rushes: 3
— Matt Schubert
Lions’ early success (6:39 p.m.): Broncos’ sack not surprisingly came on third down. But early downs Jared Goff has had a lot of time, particularly on the play-action Detroit likes so much. — Parker Gabriel
Special teamer (6:34 p.m.): Heck of a tackle by Riley Moss on what looked like a promising Kalif Raymond punt return attempt. — Parker Gabriel
Three-and-out (6:33 p.m.): Three-and-out for the Broncos and the Lions are getting to Russ early. — Matt Schubert
Sacked (6:28 p.m.): No Nik Bonitto, no problem. D.J. Jones just sacked Jared Goff to force a punt. — Joe Nguyen
Denver’s defense comes through once again. D.J. Jones sacks Jared Goff on third down, forcing the Lions to punt after Wilson’s fumble. — Ryan McFadden
Turnover (6:25 p.m.): Russell Wilson was strip sacked by cornerback Ifeatu Melifonwu. Isaiah Buggs picked it up and rumbled to Denver’s 37-yard line. — Joe Nguyen
Jerry. Jeudy. (6:23 p.m.): Huge gain by Jerry Jeudy. After a rough week against the Chargers, Denver opens with a 40-yard connection to the wide out. — Joe Nguyen
Hello, Jerry Jeudy. — Matt Schubert
First-drive touches for Jerry Jeudy and Marvin Mims? In this economy? — Parker Gabriel
Jerry Jeudy alert! — Ryan McFadden
Standing tall (6:20 p.m.): Lions got Montgomery on Drew Sanders on third-and-6 but Goff fired wide and the Broncos’ defense opens the night with a stop. — Parker Gabriel
And Goff had a wide-open receiver streaking across the middle of the field on third down. Broncos dodge a bullet on first down. — Matt Schubert
All passing (6:20 p.m.): Make that four straight passes for the Lions. — Matt Schubert
Big time (6:19 p.m.): Great play from Justin Simmons to break up Goff’s deep pass attempt to Jameson Williams. — Ryan McFadden
Throwing game (6:18 p.m.): The Lions come out with three passes to start the game. Not what you’d expect for a team that runs the ball as well as Detroit does. — Matt Schubert
Coin toss (6:15 p.m.): Broncos game captains: Russell Wilson, Mike McGlinchey, Riley Dixon and Courtland Sutton. Detroit wins the toss and Dan Campbell wants the ball. Place is a live wire. — Parker Gabriel
Pre-game updates
Matchup (6:15 p.m.): Call me crazy, but this feels like the biggest Broncos game since Super Bowl 50. Win this, and the playoffs start looking really good with the Pats, Raiders and Chargers to close out the season.
It appears that Motown is in a lather for this one. — Matt Schubert
Old friends (6:05 p.m.): Broncos HC Sean Payton and Detroit HC Dan Campbell shared a big hug and a quick chat around midfield about 40 minutes before kickoff. They’ve got almost 25 years of mostly shared NFL history dating back to when Payton was on the New York Giants’ staff when Campbell was drafted in 1999. They most recently worked five years together in New Orleans until Campbell got the Lions job. Now they’re squaring off as head coaches for the first time. — Parker Gabriel
Good evening from Ford Field (4:56 p.m.): It’s quiet now, but this place is going to be loud in a little more than an hour. Broncos didn’t get much help in the first of three games today when Minnesota blew a two-score lead against Cincinnati, allowing the Bengals to come back and win in overtime and get to 8-6 on the season in the process.
Recipe for the Broncos is simple: Win out and you’re in the playoffs, maybe competing for the division. Lose tonight at Detroit, and you’ve got to go 3-0 against the AFC opponents the rest of the way
P.J. Locke is active for the Broncos tonight. He was limited in practice on Thursday after getting hit in the throat during the game last week, but he’s good to go and will start opposite Justin Simmons. Denver also promoted tight end Lucas Krull to the 53-man roster today, so he’ll be part of the offensive plan once again.
The Broncos’ inactives:
- OLB Nik Bonitto
- QB Ben DiNucci
- S JL Skinner
- ILB Ben Niemann
- C Alex Forsyth
- DL Elijah Garcia
- TE Nate Adkins
— Parker Gabriel
Scouting report (4 p.m.): Check out how the Broncos match up with the Lions in Ryan McFadden’s scouting report.
Game predictions
Parker Gabriel, beat writer:Broncos 27, Lions 26
This is obviously the toughest game left on Denver’s schedule. Itap going to be difficult to slow Detroit down on its home turf. But Denver also needs to stack wins more than the Lions do, its defense is playing well, and you know Sean Payton wants to get the best of his mentee, Dan Campbell. Somehow, I suspect he will.
Ryan McFadden, beat writer:Broncos 27, Lions 24
The Lions have faltered lately, dropping two of their last three games. Denver will take advantage of a struggling team to keep its playoff hopes alive. Sutton has another highlight reel catch in him.
Sean Keeler, columnist:Broncos 23, Lions 21
Team Takeaway is 5-0 over its last five versus the NFC North. The Motor City Kitties are on the cusp of a clean AFC West sweep this fall. But here are two stats to hang your Orange & Blue hopes on: Since Oct. 22, a span of six games, the Lions are a collective minus-8 in turnover ratio and have been averaging 2.12 giveaways per tussle. Uh-oh.
Matt Schubert, sports editor: Lions 27, Broncos 21
Detroit is trending downward with Jared Goff unable to stop giving the ball away to the opposing team. And Denver is trending up with a defense that can’t stop taking it away. So how in the world is this pick going to the Lions? Because winning on the road is hard, and the Broncos’ one defensive weakness (stopping the run) happens to be Detroitap biggest offensive strength.
Broncos-Lions NFL Week 15: Must-reads
On roster ripe with undrafted success stories, Ja’Quan McMillian might already be Broncos’ brightest: “Thatap just J-Mac”
The standout performances come easily to Steve Ellis’ mind.To him, they doubled as harbingers.This kind of breakout, he insists, was inevitable for Ja’Quan McMillian.The two crossed paths for only one season (2021) at East Carolina, but all the same, Ellis saw more than enough to know that he knew.
A punch-out on a game-deciding play against Navy. Critical picks against Marshall and SMU. Whenever the Pirates needed a defensive play, McMillian made it. Sound familiar?
In the midst of McMillian transforming himself from a practice squad player as a rookie into potentially a Pro Bowler in his second pro season, this will also ring familiar to those who play next to McMillian, coach him or have otherwise witnessed his ascendance on a daily basis, Parker Gabriel reports. Read the full story.
Broncos’ high-flying defense in for a stiff prime-time test against balanced, explosive Lions: “We can kind of prove the type of team we are”
As the Broncos defense has transformed into one of the NFL’s best over the past eight games, itap faced all types of offenses. The rugged, run-heavy Cleveland Browns. The magic of Patrick Mahomes, even this frustrated-by-poor-receivers version. The barely-bother-to-run Los Angeles Chargers.
Next up is perhaps the most difficult challenge since Denver gave up70 points at Miami,a performance so terrible and so different from this group’s recent run that it feels more like three years ago than less than three months ago. At the least, itap a task on par with playing at Buffalo a month ago.
The Lions, powered by quarterback Jared Goff, a fleet of young, talented skill players and a big, physical offensive line and orchestrated by coordinator Ben Johnson, has a calling card: balance, Parker Gabriel reports. Read the full story.
Vance Joseph’s Broncos defense is dialing up the pressure, and producing plenty of sacks: “Itap a little bit contagious”
In Denver’s 24-7 win over the Los Angeles Chargers last week, the Broncos generated sacks from anyone and anywhere.
In the first quarter, Denver had Baron Browning, Drew Sanders, Jonathon Cooper and Delarrin Turner-Yell on the edges, while inside linebacker Alex Singleton manned the middle behind defensive lineman Zach Allen. As Justin Herbert dropped back, Singleton charged up the middle and chased down the Chargers’ star quarterback before sacking him near the sideline.
Los Angeles faced a third-and-10 with 12:13 to go in the second when Singleton stormed into the backfield again. This time, his pressure set up Allen to swoop in from the right side and sack Herbert.
By the end of the day, the Broncos had six different players record a sack in one of their best defensive performances this season, Ryan McFadden reports. Read the full story.
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