Final2023 Week 15

Ford Field, Detroit, MI

Denver Broncos vs Detroit Lions, Week 15 2023

Denver Broncos

Away

17

Detroit Lions

HomeWon

42

Scoring by quarter
TeamQ1Q2Q3Q4Final
Broncos0010717
Lions02171442

DEN 17DET 42 Final

  • Passing leader

    Jared Goff

    DET · QB

    31.1PPR pts

    24/34, 278 YDS, 5 TD

  • Top fantasy scorer

    Sam LaPorta

    DET · TE

    28.6PPR pts

    5 REC, 56 YDS, 3 TD

  • Broncos leader

    Russell Wilson

    DEN · QB

    17.5PPR pts

    18/32, 223 YDS, 1 TD, 1 RUSH TD

  • Defensive playmaker

    Ifeatu Melifonwu

    DET

    1 SACK, 9 TKL

Lions 42, Broncos 17: Detroit beats Denver

Detroit led 21–0 at halftime after a 21-point second quarter and outscored Denver 21–17 after the break to win 42–17. The Lions finished with a 448–287 edge in total offense and averaged 7.0 yards per play.

Denver didn't get on the board until the third quarter.

The gap showed up everywhere. The Broncos went 5-for-13 on third down and committed one turnover, while the Lions finished without a giveaway.

Key advantages

  • +2.4 yards/play DET 7.0 · DEN 4.6
  • +1 turnover margin DET 0 turnovers
  • +161 total yards DET 448 · DEN 287

Game Highlights

Official NFL highlights · Opens from YouTube

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Why the Lions Won

Detroit won the efficiency, turnover, third-down, and time of possession battles.

Team stats comparison, Broncos vs Lions
BroncosStatLions
4.6Yards per play7.0
1Turnovers0
287Total yards448
Other team stats
62Plays64
38%Third-down conversion50%
28:42Time of possession31:18

Scoring Summary

The Lions scored six touchdowns; the Broncos scored two touchdowns and one field goal.

Scoring plays, Broncos vs Lions
TimeTeamPlayDENDET
1st quarter
No scoring
2nd quarter
12:31DETJared Goff → Sam LaPorta, 19-yard TD Takes leadMichael Badgley XP07
8:15DETJared Goff → Jahmyr Gibbs, 9-yard TD Extends leadMichael Badgley XP014
0:19DETJared Goff → Amon-Ra St. Brown, 15-yard TD Extends leadMichael Badgley XP021
3rd quarter
10:41DENRussell Wilson → Lil'Jordan Humphrey, 3-yard TDWil Lutz XP721
7:01DETJared Goff → Sam LaPorta, 3-yard TD Extends leadMichael Badgley XP728
0:43DENWil Lutz 23-yard FG1028
4th quarter
12:12DETJahmyr Gibbs 12-yard TD run Extends leadMichael Badgley XP1035
6:28DENRussell Wilson 1-yard TD runWil Lutz XP1735
2:21DETJared Goff → Sam LaPorta, 10-yard TD Extends leadMichael Badgley XP1742

Fantasy Points: Broncos vs Lions, Week 15 2023

Fantasy leaders

  1. Jared GoffDETQB31.1 PTSQB1
  2. Sam LaPortaDETTE28.6 PTSTE1
  3. Jahmyr GibbsDETRB24.8 PTSRB3
  4. Amon-Ra St. BrownDETWR24.2 PTSWR6

Player Stats

Quarterbacks

Quarterback statistics
PlayerFPTSFINCMP/ATTPass YDSTDINTRush ATTRush YDSRush TDRateStart/Sit
Jared GoffDETQB31.1QB124/3427850———134.6Start/Sit →
Russell WilsonDENQB17.5QB1518/322231076188.4

WRs, RBs, & TEs

Receiver, running back and tight end statistics
PlayerFPTSFINPOSRush ATTRush YDSRush TDTGTRECRec YDSRec TDStart/Sit
Sam LaPortaDETTE28.6TE1TE———65563Start/Sit →
Jahmyr GibbsDETRB24.8RB3RB1110012281Start/Sit →
Amon-Ra St. BrownDETWR24.2WR6WR———971121Start/Sit →
Courtland SuttonDENWR12.1WR29WR———65710Start/Sit →
Lil'Jordan HumphreyDENWR10.6WR33WR———43161Start/Sit →
Jerry JeudyDENWR10.4WR34WR———73740Start/Sit →
David MontgomeryDETRB10.2RB23RB1785032-30Start/Sit →
Jameson WilliamsDETWR8.7WR46WR———74470Start/Sit →
Josh ReynoldsDETWR6.1WR61WR———32410
Samaje PerineDENRB5.8RB44RB637011110Start/Sit →
Javonte WilliamsDENRB4.0RB50RB1227022-70Start/Sit →
Jaleel McLaughlinDENRB3.8RB52RB22032160Start/Sit →
Adam TrautmanDENTE3.4TE43TE———31240Start/Sit →
Lucas KrullDENTE2.8TE46TE———31180Start/Sit →
Kalif RaymondDETWR2.2WR95WR———11120Start/Sit →
Donovan Peoples-JonesDETWR1.5WR106WR———1150
Marvin MimsDENWR1.1WR114WR11102000
Brandon JohnsonDENWR0.0—WR———1000

Fantasy Usage

Denver Broncos

Snap Share

  1. Courtland SuttonWR60 snaps94%
  2. Jerry JeudyWR40 snaps63%
  3. Lil'Jordan HumphreyWR37 snaps58%
  4. Javonte WilliamsRB31 snaps48%
  5. Adam TrautmanTE30 snaps47%

Target Share32 targets

  1. Jerry Jeudy22%, 7 targets
  2. Courtland Sutton19%, 6 targets
  3. Lil'Jordan Humphrey13%, 4 targets
  4. Adam Trautman9%, 3 targets
  5. Lucas Krull9%, 3 targets
  6. Other28%, 9 targets

Carry Share28 carries

  1. Javonte Williams43%, 12 carries
  2. Russell Wilson25%, 7 carries
  3. Samaje Perine21%, 6 carries
  4. Jaleel McLaughlin7%, 2 carries
  5. Marvin Mims4%, 1 carries

Detroit Lions

Snap Share

  1. Sam LaPortaTE63 snaps95%
  2. Amon-Ra St. BrownWR61 snaps92%
  3. Jameson WilliamsWR45 snaps68%
  4. Josh ReynoldsWR38 snaps58%
  5. David MontgomeryRB34 snaps52%

Target Share32 targets

  1. Amon-Ra St. Brown28%, 9 targets
  2. Jameson Williams22%, 7 targets
  3. Sam LaPorta19%, 6 targets
  4. Josh Reynolds9%, 3 targets
  5. David Montgomery9%, 3 targets
  6. Other13%, 4 targets

Carry Share28 carries

  1. David Montgomery61%, 17 carries
  2. Jahmyr Gibbs39%, 11 carries
View full usage tableHide full usage table
Offensive snaps and share for the skill positions
PlayerSNAPSSNAP %TGTTGT %CAR
Sam LaPortaDETTE6395%619%0
Courtland SuttonDENWR6094%619%0
Amon-Ra St. BrownDETWR6192%928%0
Jameson WilliamsDETWR4568%722%0
Jerry JeudyDENWR4063%722%0
Lil'Jordan HumphreyDENWR3758%413%0
Josh ReynoldsDETWR3858%39%0
David MontgomeryDETRB3452%39%17
Jahmyr GibbsDETRB3248%26%11
Javonte WilliamsDENRB3148%26%12
Adam TrautmanDENTE3047%39%0
Lucas KrullDENTE2945%39%0
Marvin MimsDENWR2742%26%1
Samaje PerineDENRB2539%13%6
Kalif RaymondDETWR2030%13%0
Chris ManhertzDENTE1625%00%0
Brock WrightDETTE1218%00%0
Donovan Peoples-JonesDETWR1117%13%0
Jaleel McLaughlinDENRB813%39%2
James MitchellDETTE69%00%0
Brandon JohnsonDENWR46%13%0

Fantasy Points vs Expected

Expected points (xFP) are what a player's pass attempts, carries and targets are worth at the league's average rates; the difference is what the player made of them.

  • Biggest overperformer+18.6Sam LaPorta28.6 PTS vs 10.0 xFP
  • Biggest underperformer−6.7Javonte Williams4.0 PTS vs 10.7 xFP
  • Highest expected volume17.8 xFPRussell Wilson17.5 PTS scored
Usage and expected fantasy points
PlayerPTSxFPvs xFPSnap%UsageRte%Pass attCarCar%TgtTgt%
Russell WilsonDEN · QB17.517.8−0.394%32 att—32725%00%
David MontgomeryDET · RB10.215.4−5.252%61% car—01761%39%
Amon-Ra St. BrownDET · WR24.215.0+9.292%28% tgt—000%928%
Jared GoffDET · QB31.114.3+16.8100%34 att—3400%00%
Jameson WilliamsDET · WR8.711.7−3.068%22% tgt—000%722%
Jerry JeudyDEN · WR10.411.7−1.363%22% tgt—000%722%
Javonte WilliamsDEN · RB4.010.7−6.748%43% car—01243%26%
Jahmyr GibbsDET · RB24.810.1+14.748%39% car—01139%26%
Courtland SuttonDEN · WR12.110.0+2.194%19% tgt—000%619%
Sam LaPortaDET · TE28.610.0+18.695%19% tgt—000%619%
Lil'Jordan HumphreyDEN · WR10.66.7+3.958%13% tgt—000%413%
Jaleel McLaughlinDEN · RB3.86.2−2.413%9% tgt—027%39%
Samaje PerineDEN · RB5.85.4+0.439%21% car—0621%13%
Adam TrautmanDEN · TE3.45.0−1.647%9% tgt—000%39%
Josh ReynoldsDET · WR6.15.0+1.158%9% tgt—000%39%
Lucas KrullDEN · TE2.85.0−2.245%9% tgt—000%39%
Marvin Mims Jr.DEN · WR1.14.0−2.942%6% tgt—014%26%
Brandon JohnsonDEN · —0.01.7−1.76%3% tgt—000%13%
Donovan Peoples-JonesDET · WR1.51.7−0.217%3% tgt—000%13%
Kalif RaymondDET · WR2.21.7+0.530%3% tgt—000%13%

Team totals: Broncos 32 targets and 28 carries; Lions 32 targets and 28 carries. Shares are from the box score. Snap counts are from the weekly player logs (Sleeper), and include plays wiped out by penalties. Route counts, air yards and red-zone touches appear when the tracking feed is connected. League-average rates from the 2023 season: 1.67 PPR points per target (67% catch rate), 0.61 per carry and 0.42 per pass attempt. They don't adjust for field position or target depth.

Fantasy Verdicts

Russell Wilson

DEN · QB · 17.5 pts on 17.8 expected

18 of 32 passing for 223 yards, 1 touchdown; 7 carries for 6 yards and 1 touchdown.

Verdict: The points matched the role, 17.8 expected.

Jared Goff Ran hot

DET · QB · 31.1 pts on 14.3 expected

24 of 34 passing for 278 yards, 5 touchdowns.

Verdict: The opportunities were worth 14.3 points; the touchdowns supplied the rest, and they are the part least likely to repeat.

Start/Sit: Jared Goff →

Jerry Jeudy

DEN · WR · 10.4 pts on 11.7 expected

7 targets (22% of the team's), 3 catches for 74 yards.

Verdict: The points matched the role, 11.7 expected.

Start/Sit: Jerry Jeudy →

Javonte Williams Unlucky

DEN · RB · 4.0 pts on 10.7 expected

2 targets (6% of the team's), 2 catches for -7 yards; 12 carries (43% of the team's) for 27 yards.

Verdict: The role was there, worth 10.7 points at league-average rates; the production wasn't.

Start/Sit: Javonte Williams →

David Montgomery Volume, no payoff

DET · RB · 10.2 pts on 15.4 expected

3 targets (9% of the team's), 2 catches for -3 yards; 17 carries (61% of the team's) for 85 yards.

Verdict: The role was there, worth 15.4 points at league-average rates; the production wasn't.

Start/Sit: David Montgomery →

Amon-Ra St. Brown Ran hot

DET · WR · 24.2 pts on 15.0 expected

9 targets (28% of the team's), 7 catches for 112 yards and 1 touchdown.

Verdict: The opportunities were worth 15.0 points; the touchdowns supplied the rest, and they are the part least likely to repeat.

Start/Sit: Amon-Ra St. Brown →

Jahmyr Gibbs Ran hot

DET · RB · 24.8 pts on 10.1 expected

2 targets (6% of the team's), 2 catches for 8 yards and 1 touchdown; 11 carries (39% of the team's) for 100 yards and 1 touchdown.

Verdict: The opportunities were worth 10.1 points; the touchdowns supplied the rest, and they are the part least likely to repeat.

Start/Sit: Jahmyr Gibbs →

Sam LaPorta Ran hot

DET · TE · 28.6 pts on 10.0 expected

6 targets (19% of the team's), 5 catches for 56 yards and 3 touchdowns.

Verdict: The opportunities were worth 10.0 points; the touchdowns supplied the rest, and they are the part least likely to repeat.

Start/Sit: Sam LaPorta →

Stock Up, Stock Down

Denver Broncos

  • Stock up: Lil'Jordan Humphrey played 58% of the snaps, up from a 33% season average.
  • Stock up: Lucas Krull played 45% of the snaps, up from a 30% season average.
  • Stock down: Adam Trautman played 47% of the snaps, down from a 78% season average.

Detroit Lions

  • Stock up: David Montgomery led the backfield with 52% of the snaps after trailing Jahmyr Gibbs before this game.
  • Stock up: Jameson Williams played 68% of the snaps, up from a 50% season average.
  • Stock down: Jahmyr Gibbs lost the backfield lead: 48% of the snaps to David Montgomery's 52%.

Fantasy Matchups

Fantasy points allowed per game by position, 2023 through Week 18.

Fantasy points allowed per game by position, Broncos defense and Lions defense
Points allowed toBroncos DLions D
QBs17.619.4
RBs26.614.6
WRs31.639.7
TEs15.713.4

Regular season, summed from each game's box score and scored with this page's rules.

How the Game Swung

Detroit opened at 50% win probability and passed 98% before halftime on the way to the win.

Lions win probability

Lions win probability by game minuteLions started at 50%, stood at 99% at halftime and finished at 100%, across 9 scoring plays.Q1Q2Q3Q4100%50%0%

Key Swings

  1. +23Goff → LaPorta, 19-yd TD50% → 73%Q2 12:31
  2. +16Goff → Gibbs, 9-yd TD74% → 90%Q2 8:15
  3. +6Goff → Brown, 15-yd TD93% → 99%Q2 0:19
  4. −5Wilson → Humphrey, 3-yd TD99% → 94%Q3 10:41
  5. +4Goff → LaPorta, 3-yd TD96% → 99%Q3 7:01

Swing in Lions win probability, in points

Play Calling and Possessions

Play calling, Broncos vs Lions
Denver BroncosMeasureDetroit Lions
62Plays64
55%Pass rate56%
6.0Yds / dropback7.3
3.0Yds / carry6.6
5/13Third downs5/10

Efficiency edge Detroit ran 2 more plays and gained 1.3 more yards per dropback.

  • Top targets
  • DEN Jeudy 22% · Sutton 19% · Humphrey 13%
  • DET Brown 28% · Williams 22% · LaPorta 19%

Possession Results

How each possession ended, Broncos vs Lions
ResultDENDET
Touchdowns26
Field goals10
Punts54
Turnovers10

DET turnover edge: +1

  • The Lions opened the scoring on their fourth possession, a 8-play, 80-yard drive that ended in a touchdown.
All 21 possessions, drive by drive
Drive chart
TeamStartPlaysYardsTimeResult
DETQ1 15:005252:02Punt
DENQ1 12:584411:20Fumble
DETQ1 11:383-22:05Punt
DENQ1 9:33311:02Punt
DETQ1 8:316243:27Punt
DENQ1 5:046303:26Punt
DETQ1 1:388804:07Touchdown
DENQ2 12:313-121:33Punt
DETQ2 10:586612:43Touchdown
DENQ2 8:157113:54Punt
DETQ2 4:2111814:02Touchdown
DENQ2 0:191-10:19End of half
DENQ3 15:0010754:26Touchdown
DETQ3 10:348753:33Touchdown
DENQ3 7:0112706:18Field goal
DETQ3 0:436753:31Touchdown
DENQ4 12:125191:13Punt
DETQ4 10:593-91:41Punt
DENQ4 9:188622:50Touchdown
DETQ4 6:288444:07Touchdown
DENQ4 2:214262:21End of game
About these numbers

Possessions that ended with the clock running out at the half or the end of the game aren't counted.

Personnel groupings, average depth of target and pass rate over expected appear when the tracking feed is connected.

Broncos vs Lions Head-to-Head

The Broncos and Lions first met in 1971 and have played 15 times since.

All-time series
9–6Broncos lead, 15 meetings since 1971
Postseason
0No playoff meetings
Largest Broncos win
34–01987
Largest Lions win
44–72007

Since 2021

1–1 Series tied

2 meetings since the 2021 season, regular season and playoffs.

Oldest to newest. B = Broncos win, L = Lions win, outlined = this game.

Recent Meetings

Season to Date (Through Week 18)

The 2023 regular season, from each game's box score.

Season to date, Broncos vs Lions
BroncosStatLions
8-9Record12-5
21.0Points per game27.1
298.4Yards per game394.8
5.0Yards per play5.9
24.3Points allowed per game23.2
370.8Yards allowed per game336.1

Broncos and Lions in Fantasy

The two teams don't meet again this season. If you roster a Bronco or a Lion, these answer the week-to-week question.

Keep Exploring

2023 Game Logs for Players in This Game

Broncos vs Lions Game FAQ

Who won the 2023 Broncos vs Lions Week 15 game?

The Detroit Lions beat the Denver Broncos 42–17 in Week 15 of the 2023 season. The game was played at Ford Field in Detroit, MI, on December 16, 2023. See the Lions' 2023 schedule.

What was the final score of Broncos vs Lions?

The final score was Lions 42, Broncos 17. The Lions led 21–0 at halftime, and the second half went Broncos 17, Lions 21.

What happened in the Broncos vs Lions game?

Detroit led 21–0 at halftime after a 21-point second quarter and outscored Denver 21–17 after the break to win 42–17. The Lions finished with a 448–287 edge in total offense and averaged 7.0 yards per play. Jared Goff led all players with 24 of 34 passing for 278 yards and 5 touchdowns. The Broncos committed 1 turnover, the Lions none.

Who scored the most fantasy points in Broncos vs Lions?

Jared Goff led the game with 31.1 PPR fantasy points, the QB1 of Week 15, on 24 of 34 passing for 278 yards and 5 touchdowns. Sam LaPorta was next with 28.6 (TE1). See Jared Goff's 2023 game log.

Who led Broncos vs Lions in passing, rushing and receiving?

Jared Goff (DET) led all passers with 24 of 34 for 278 yards and 5 touchdowns. Jahmyr Gibbs (DET) led in rushing with 11 carries for 100 yards and a touchdown. Amon-Ra St. Brown (DET) led in receiving with 7 catches for 112 yards and a touchdown.

How many fantasy points did Jared Goff score against the Broncos?

Jared Goff scored 31.1 fantasy points against the Broncos in Week 15 of the 2023 season, the same in PPR, half-PPR and standard scoring because he had no catches, on 24 of 34 passing for 278 yards and 5 touchdowns.

Who outperformed and underperformed expected fantasy points in Broncos vs Lions?

Sam LaPorta outperformed his expected fantasy points the most, scoring 28.6 PPR points on 10.0 xFP (+18.6). Javonte Williams fell furthest short, with 4.0 points on 10.7 xFP (−6.7). A gap either way reflects efficiency and touchdowns in one game; it is not a forecast. For matchups ahead, see fantasy points allowed by position.

Who had the highest expected fantasy points in Broncos vs Lions?

Russell Wilson had the most fantasy opportunity in the game, worth 17.8 expected PPR points (xFP) at league-average rates, and scored 17.5. Expected points measure the volume of a player's pass attempts, carries and targets, not how well he used them.

How did the Lions beat the Broncos?

The Lions beat the Broncos 42–17 because they averaged 7.0 yards per play to 4.6, won the turnover battle 1–0, and outgained them 448–287.

Which team won the turnover battle in Broncos vs Lions?

The Lions won the turnover battle 1–0: the Broncos gave the ball away 1 time and the Lions not at all. The Lions won the game.

What is the all-time Broncos vs Lions record?

The Broncos lead the all-time series 9–6 across 15 meetings since 1971.

When did the Broncos and Lions last play before this game?

Before Week 15 of 2023, they last met in the 2021 season on December 12, 2021, when the Broncos beat the Lions 38–10.

What is the Broncos vs Lions record since 2021?

The series is tied 1–1 across 2 meetings since the 2021 season, including this game.