Sunday Night Football Week 3: TV Schedule, Live Stream for Broncos vs. Lions

The Denver Broncos travel to Ford Field on Sunday night with two wins in as many weeks, the same number of losses the hosting Detroit Lions tout after a rough start as the roster transitions and deals with injury.

An 0-2 rut isn't anything to scoff at, but the Lions don't have a reason to slap the panic button yet ahead of their home debut. Quarterback Matthew Stafford will suit up despite some injury concerns, and the visitors have shown some obvious weaknesses.

For Peyton Manning and the Broncos, the game represents an opportunity for improvement under new coach Gary Kubiak, especially after two close calls.

Below, let's take a deep look at the cross-conference showdown.

Viewing Info

When: Sunday, September 27, 8:30 p.m. ET

Where: Ford Field in Detroit

Television: NBC

Live Stream: NFL Game Pass

Tickets: ScoreBig.com

Betting Lines (via Odds Shark)

• Over/Under: 44.5

• Spread: Denver (-3)

Team Injury Reports

No listed injuries for Denver.

Player	Position	Status
DeAndre Levy	LB	Doubtful
Matthew Stafford	QB	Probable
Ezekiel Ansah	DE	Probable
Brandon Pettigrew	TE	Out

Injury reports from ESPN.com.

Finding the Ground Game 

Through two games, Manning looks human. 

The legend has completed just 58.8 percent of his passes with three scores to two interceptions while being sacked seven times. The ground game hasn't looked much better, with no scores as a whole and no back registering better than a 3.6 per-carry average.

For Kubiak, this is a case of mistaken identity—one he aims to solve.

"Running out of the gun is a challenge at times," Kubiak said, per ESPN.com, "but if that's something you're doing best, you've got to find a way to run it that way. But being physical is a state of mind. It's an identity. It's a commitment."

Running the ball would open things up in the passing game and keep Manning's jersey cleaner, but a line featuring four new starters digesting a new scheme figures to pose some problems. 

The Lions offer a strong opportunity to get things going, though. The struggling unit allowed the San Diego Chargers to rush for 96 yards and two scores in Week 1, with 51 of those yards coming from rookie Melvin Gordon. The Minnesota Vikings gashed the unit in Week 2 to the tune of 199 yards and two scores.

Going into a game far from home, the Broncos haven't been shy about how they want to go about pulling off the win. It comes down to execution. 

Losses Past and Present

Through two games, the Lions haven't been able to adjust well in various areas.

For one, the team lost defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh in the offseason. The impact on the defense's ability to defend the run isn't hard to figure out. Ditto when it comes to defending the pass, as the unit has just three sacks.

Ann Heisenfelt/Associated Press

On offense, Stafford hasn't been able to get it done, with his four touchdowns to three interceptions in large part because of his struggling ground game, too. Joique Bell has battled back from an injury and received only 10 carries in two games. As a whole, the Lions have attempted just 32 rushes in two games and gained 3.3 yards on average.

Stafford himself hobbles into Sunday night with his name on the injury report, but he's still treating the game as a chance to improve, per an interview with Carlos Monarrez of the Detroit Free Press.

"Every time we line up on Sunday we plan on winning the game," Stafford said. "We prepare to win the game and we go out there and give it our best showing. Get into must wins or not must wins, I'm sure they all are—at the end of the day you have to win it."

Despite the lack of pressure, Detroit's defense has looked good against passers. The key Sunday will be to stiffen against the run and force Manning to make mistakes in a loud environment.

Prediction

Jack Dempsey/Associated Press

One thing lost in all the concern over Manning's play and the state of his running game?

The defense.

Von Miller and Co. look like an elite unit through two games, surrendering no touchdowns through the air but picking off four passes and recording six sacks. It's this mistake-inducing play that forced five Kansas City Chiefs turnovers in the team's most recent win.

Not only has Manning had extra time to prep for this encounter, with the team's last game coming two Thursdays ago, the defense gets to run wild against a hobbled quarterback and force mistakes—which will decide the game late.

Prediction: Broncos 20, Lions 17

Statistics courtesy of ESPN unless otherwise specified.