Written By: The Persian
The new-look Arizona Cardinals take on the Denver Broncos as both teams close out their preseason on Sunday afternoon inside Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado. The game kicks off at 4:30 pm. Both teams believe they have the talent to compete this season.
Bookmaker has installed the Broncos as a slim - 3 1/2 point favorite, and the game total is 35 1/2 in this one.
The Cardinals have high expectations this season. They made some nice moves during the off-season and were able to snag stud wideout Marvin Harrison Jr. in this past April's NFL Draft. They believe he will be the difference maker the offense has been starving for and perhaps one of the best young receivers in the game. He can explode off the line of scrimmage and take the top off defenses.
Arizona feels ready to make some noise in a stacked NFC and has the offensive weapons to put up some points this season. They had a brutal 2023 season, finishing 4-13, and they know they have a chance to turn things around this season.
If the offense gets going, it will be because of the very talented but, at times, very frustrating and inconsistent quarterback Kyler Murray, who is entering his sixth season under center for the Cardinals.
He only played in eight games last season due to injury, and many believe he is poised to break out and put up monster numbers. If he can throw for over 4000 yards, add in another 25 plus touchdown tosses, use his legs as a weapon, and cut down the bad mistakes. This offense can rack up some points and yards. He will not suit up in this one. The Cardinals are 0-2 and have scored a few points because they are resting starters. Expect only a few points to be scored in this one, too.
The Broncos have quietly gone about their business this off-season, and they recently named young signal caller Bo Nix, the club's starting quarterback, when their season opens up on September 8th on the road against the Seattle Seahawks. Many around the Broncos believe Nix can be the next John Elway, and he has put up some decent numbers in two games of the preseason.
He led a nice drive in a 27-2 win over Green Bay when he ended 8-of-9 for 80 yards with a touchdown toss. He looks poised and plays the part as well. Head Coach Sean Payton appears to have found his guy in Nix. They will play this one close to the vest but look for their offense to move the ball against the Cardinal's backups.
Also, Denver will get the ground game going, and their defense has played well this preseason, which is something they were banking on.
The Cardinals' win total is 7 1/2, and their odds to make the playoffs are +320. They are in a tough division and are a monster +1300. Denver is in a very tough AFC West, and their odds to win the division are a whopping +2000. Their win total sits at 5 1/2, and the over might be in play here.
