Detroit @ Denver preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 27, 2015 ) Denver 24, Detroit 12

Denver quarterback Drew Lock's homecoming to Kansas City didn't go well last week, but the outlook seems better as the Broncos come home to face the defensively challenged Detroit Lions on Sunday. Lock, who grew up some 15 miles from Arrowhead Stadium, was welcomed by a throng of family and friends but the Chiefs' defense and a snowstorm spoiled the party in a 23-3 loss.

Lock has completed 61.1 percent of his passes with five touchdowns and three interceptions in going 2-1 to start his career, and continues to face a steep learning curve. “I won’t beat myself up too hard if I end up making a mistake like (an interception), because I’m going to keep the gunslinger mentality at all times,” Lock told the Denver Post. “But I think I need to adapt as a gunslinger with a little bit more situational awareness, and put together both (those approaches) to try to be the best quarterback I can for this organization.” Detroit is steamrolling toward a top five pick in the NFL draft after last week's 38-17 loss to Tampa Bay marked its seventh straight setback and 10th in 11 games. The Lions announced this week that general manager Bob Quinn and coach Matt Patricia would return in 2020 with team vice chair Sheila Ford Hamp telling reporters: "(Changing coaches) would have been the popular choice, the popular decision, and we knew that. But as I say, we’re doing what is right for the organization."

TV: 4:05 p.m. ET, CBS. LINE: Broncos -7. O/U: 38

ABOUT THE LIONS (3-10-1): Detroit is on its third quarterback with rookie David Blough starting the last three games and throwing for 745 yards with three touchdowns and five interceptions. Wes Hills rushed for two touchdowns in his first NFL game last week and could see more action with Bo Scarbrough (ribs) limited in practice after missing last week's contest. Kenny Golladay (1,052 yards), who leads the league with 10 TD receptions, will see plenty of Denver cornerback Chris Harris Jr. on Sunday.

ABOUT THE BRONCOS (5-9): Noah Fant (shoulder) was a limited participant in practice on Wednesday and Thursday but hopes to resume his record-setting season. The 20th overall pick in the 2019 draft holds club records for catches (37) and yards (548) by a rookie tight end with offensive coordinator Rich Sangarello telling reporters: "I expect him to be a great player in this league for a long time. He's got stuff he needs to work on and he's doing that, but we're fortunate to have him." Courtland Sutton has emerged as an elite wide receiver with 1,019 yards and six touchdowns, and could be too much for Detroit and the NFL's second-worst defense to handle.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Lock threw for 375 yards to lead Missouri to a 40-37 victory over Purdue last season despite Blough throwing for a school-record 572 yards.

2. Broncos S Kareem Jackson (suspension) and DE Adam Gotsis (ACL) were lost for the season this week.

3. Denver won 24-12 at Detroit in 2015 with Peyton Manning throwing a pair of touchdown passes.

PREDICTION: Broncos 24, Lions 13