The Denver Broncos are trending in the right direction. The Detroit Lions are heading the opposite way. But in our Week 15 preview, we explore why the buck could stop here.
The Detroit Lions and Denver Broncos face off on Saturday night with fanbases in two completely different headspaces. According to the latest SB Nation reacts surveys, 86 percent of Broncos fans believe the team is headed in the right direction. Only 58 percent of Lions fans feel the same way about their team . You’d think the Broncos were 9-4 and the Lions 7-6, not vice versa.
Of course, the recent trajectory of each team has fans feeling that way. The Broncos are 6-1 in their last seven compared to Detroit’s 4-3.
But the overall picture matters, too. Can the Lions get back to the football that had them start the year 5-1? Are there still significant weaknesses in this young Broncos team that are being masked by the wins?
We chatted with Mike DeCicco to give us the real rundown of the Broncos team, and why the Lions certainly have a shot at righting the ship this week.
Here’s a look at the topics we talk about, including the timestamps of those discussions:
- (2:40) How much improvement has Russell Wilson made since last year? How close is he to “All-Pro Russell Wilson” from years past?
- (6:10) Broncos’ simplified playbook and what it looks like
- (7:30) The danger that Courtland Sutton possesses
- (9:30) Lions have an opportunity to rack up some sacks (finally)
- (13:00) Is the Broncos running game good?
- (21:30) How the Broncos defense had a drastic turnaround
- (23:15) Why the Broncos’ success defending third down is more about first and second down
- (25:00) Are the Broncos due for some turnover regression?
- (27:20) How big of a loss is not having Nik Bonitto?
- (28:50) Why the Lions could have a big advantage when trying to run the ball
- (33:15) PREDICTIONS involving David Montgomery, Courtland Sutton, and SACKS!
Listen below or click the link here.