Detroit Lions lose to Denver Broncos 27-17, improve draft position

The Detroit Lions lost for the 11th time in 12 games, surrendering 14 unanswered fourth-quarter points. Their draft stock does continue to improve, however.

For those fans of the Detroit Lions who have shifted their support to improved draft position, Sunday was a good day. Still, it continues to come at the cost of one of the franchise’s worst seasons in recent memory.

The Lions gave up five straight scoring drives to the Denver Broncos at one point, resulting in a 27-17 loss at Empower Field at Mile High Sunday. Dropping to 3-11-1, the Lions have lost 11 of their last 12 games, and have just one victory after the month of September.

The Lions finish the season with just a single road win, coming in Week 3 against the Philadelphia Eagles. It’s the fewest wins away from Ford Field for the Lions since 2009 when they didn’t win once outside of Michigan.

Jamal Agnew extended the Lions’ lead to 10-0 when he returned a Broncos punt 63 yards for a touchdown early in the second frame. It was Agnew’s first score since a 100-yard kickoff return in the win in Philadelphia.

Broncos tailback Royce Freeman cut the lead to three on the subsequent drive, plunging into the endzone from a yard out. The Broncos tied the game at 10 on their next drive. Lions receiver Kenny Golladay capped the Lions’ next drive with a lunging three-yard touchdown catch-and-run, giving the Lions a 17-13 lead.

However, Detroit’s lead was short-lived, as Denver drove down the field on their next drive and connected on a three-yard touchdown pitch to receiver DaeSean Hamilton to give Denver a 20-17 advantage. Broncos running back Phillip Lindsay sealed the victory on their next drive with a 27-yard touchdown run.

With wins earlier on Sunday by the New York Giants and Miami Dolphins, the Lions loss raised them to third overall in 2020’s current draft pecking order. Should the Lions lose next week and the Washington Redskins beat the Dallas Cowboys, the Lions will secure the second overall position in next year’s draft.

Lions quarterback David Blough finished 12/24 for 117 yards with one touchdown. Blough was also sacked four times.

In his first game since suffering a knee injury Week 7, tailback Kerryon Johnson led the Lions with 42 yards on ten carries. Golladay paced the Lions with six catches for 66 yards and a score.

Broncos rookie quarterback Drew Lock threw for 192 yards and one touchdown. He was not sacked.

Already beset by injuries, Detroit was still unable to escape unscathed, as rookie linebacker Jahlani Tavai left in the first half with a shoulder injury and did not return.

The Detroit Lions wrap up the 2019 season next Sunday, December 29th at 1:00 p.m. EST when they host the Green Bay Packers.