New England Patriots (3-11) vs. Denver Broncos (7-7)
New England Patriots vs. Denver Broncos 12/24/23 – In a Week 16 NFL showdown, the struggling New England Patriots, holding a 3-11 record, face off against the Denver Broncos, who are at an even 7-7. This game, scheduled for Sunday at Empower Field at Mile High and televised on NFLN, poses a significant challenge for the Patriots while offering the Broncos an opportunity to bolster their standing. Fans and bettors alike are scouring sources for NFL top predictions as this matchup presents intriguing dynamics given the contrasting fortunes of both teams.
The Patriots’ season has been far from impressive on offense. Mac Jones, quarterbacking with a 64.9% completion rate and 2120 passing yards total has only managed 10 touchdowns against 12 interceptions; Rhamondre Stevenson led their rushing game with 619 yards and 4 touchdowns; however Demario Douglas hasn’t made much of an impact as seen with 443 receiving yards and no touchdowns for him to show for it.
Denver Broncos have seen more balance this season. Russell Wilson has been instrumental in their offense, completing 272 passes for 2832 yards and 24 touchdowns while being sacked 40 times but maintaining an efficiency rating of 97.5 in passing plays. Javonte Williams led their rushing efforts with 677 rushing yards and one touchdown; Courtland Sutton has proven himself an invaluable target for Wilson with 770 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns as wide receiver.
New England Patriots vs. Denver Broncos Game Info
| When: | Sunday, December 24, 2023 at 8:15 PM ET |
| Where: | Empower Field at Mile High |
| TV: | NFLN |
| Stream: | NFL Game Pass |
Mac Jones QB vs. Russell Wilson QB
The New England Patriots have struggled to get consistent quarterback play all season. Mac Jones has failed to make big plays downfield, averaging just 6.1 yards per pass attempt. He has also struggled with turnovers, tossing 12 interceptions already this season. However, Jones has also dealt with injuries and a lack of playmakers around him. He has shown he can be an efficient game manager in the past. For the Patriots to have a chance, Jones will need to avoid the big mistake and take advantage of short fields provided by his defense. If he can control the game and let the Patriots rushing attack salt away the clock late, they could feasibly pull the upset.
Meanwhile, Russell Wilson was brought in to bring the Broncos offense to the next level. However, he has battled injuries and dealt with a significant learning curve picking up a new system. That said, Wilson remains one of the most dynamic quarterbacks in football. He showed flashes of his MVP form last week, throwing for over 300 yards and 3 touchdowns. He should be able to attack a Patriots secondary that has surrendered over 4000 passing yards already on the season. If Wilson can replicate last week’s performance, the Broncos should notch another win. However, he will need to prove he can string together consistent efforts, something that has eluded Denver all season.
NFL Odds/Point Spread: Denver Broncos -275, Total Odds: 34
The betting odds favor the Denver Broncos, with a spread of -6.5 at -110 and a moneyline of -275. The total is set at 34, with the under at -110, indicating expectations of a low-scoring game, likely due to the Patriots’ offensive struggles and the Broncos’ solid defense.
New England Patriots Betting Trends
The Patriots have been a poor bet this season, covering the spread just 3 times while going 1-6 straight up over their last 7 contests. New England has also gone under in 9 of their last 13. However, history is on the Patriots’ side when playing in Denver, with the underdog covering 5 of the last 7 meetings there. If New England can limit mistakes, they could keep this one close enough to beat the number.
Denver Broncos Betting Trends
Denver has been solid at home this season, going 4-1 straight up in their last 5 contests at Empower Field at Mile High. They have also owned the Patriots there historically, going 15-5 straight up over the last 20 home matchups. The Broncos offense also seems to be catching fire late in the season, lighting up the scoreboard over their last 2 games. Bettors can expect Denver to handle business on their home turf.
New England Patriots vs. Denver Broncos 12/24/23 Betting Picks
Analyzing the performance and trends, the Broncos appear to have the upper hand in this matchup. Their balanced offense and strong home record make them favorites. However, the Patriots have often been unpredictable, and their ability to cover the spread in certain matchups should not be entirely discounted.
When considering betting picks, the Broncos seem to be the safer choice for a straight win, but the Patriots might offer value against the spread, considering the relatively high spread for a low-scoring game. For the total, leaning towards the under seems logical given both teams’ recent trends. Multi-handicapper tips and picks might provide additional insights, especially for those looking into prop bets or alternate spreads.
Free Pick and Prediction: Denver Broncos 24, New England Patriots 17