One of the more interesting NFL matchups this week will be in Denver, as the Denver Broncos host the Arizona Cardinals. While both teams have struggled mightily this season, the quarterback situation for each team has created some intrigue in this battle of struggling teams. Here, we break down this inter-conference matchup and give our Cardinals vs Broncos prediction for Sunday afternoon.
Arizona Cardinals vs. Denver Broncos Game Info and Analysis
Matchup Info
Arizona Cardinals Performance Recap and Analysis
Going into Week 15 on the NFL schedule, the Arizona Cardinals are all but out of the playoff race. They are 4-9 on the season, and elimination from the postseason is likely to come within the next couple of weeks. That is especially true with Kyler Murray now set to miss the rest of the season with an ACL injury, with Colt McCoy set to take over as the team’s quarterback for this week.
Also concerning for the Cardinals has been the performance of their defense so far this year. According to this season’s NFL team stats, the Cardinals now have the worst scoring defense in the NFL. They have overtaken the Detroit Lions for that dubious distinction, which could make them vulnerable even against a struggling Denver Broncos offense.
Key Injuries
There is no more key injury in the NFL right now than the injury to Kyler Murray’s knee, suffered last week against the New England Patriots. Without Murray, the Cardinals lose their mobility at the quarterback position.
They also often lose the ability to stretch the field vertically with weapons like Hollywood Brown and DeAndre Hopkins, which is a big concern coming into this contest against a stout Denver defense.
Betting Trends to Know
Despite their struggles this season, the Arizona Cardinals have covered most of their NFL point spreads in road games. They are 3-2 straight up and against the spread on the road this year. They will look to remain above .500 in both areas with a road win against the Broncos here.
Denver Broncos Performance Recap and Analysis
This season has simply not gone according to plan for the Denver Broncos and Russell Wilson. Looking at the NFL team standings for this year, the Broncos are 3-9 and are one of the three teams in the league that has already been eliminated from playoff contention. This week, they are playing for pride against a Cardinals team also struggling.
The offense has been the problem all season long for the Broncos. This year’s Denver Broncos stats show that they have the worst scoring offense in the NFL, as they have averaged just 14.9 points per game. This week’s game is a weakness versus weakness affair against the worst-scoring defense in the league.
Key Injuries
The biggest injury to note for the Broncos is also at the quarterback position. Russell Wilson suffered a concussion during last week’s loss against the Kansas City Chiefs, and his status is questionable coming into this week’s action. If he cannot go, the Broncos will rely on Brett Rypien as their starting quarterback in Wilson’s place.
Betting Trends to Know
The top trend to keep an eye on for the Broncos pertains to the total, as they have been an under-machine all season long. Denver has gone under the total in 11 of their 13 games on the year, the highest percentage of orders of any team in the league going into Week 15. That trend could continue with the potential for a backup quarterback on both sides of this game.
Arizona Cardinals vs. Denver Broncos Odds
Coming into this Cardinals vs Broncos contest, the Denver Broncos are three-point favorites, while Arizona Cardinals odds have them as underdogs by a field goal. The total for this game is set incredibly low, as the over/under sits at 36 points, thanks to the questionable quarterback situations on both sides.
Arizona Cardinals vs. Denver Broncos Betting Picks
- Moneyline
The Arizona Cardinals are worth a shot on the moneyline coming into this contest, as bettors can get them around +125. While the NFL player stats for Colt McCoy are far from promising this year, he can certainly outperform Brett Rypien or Russell Wilson here.
- Over/Under
There is no way to play the total other than going with the under. The NFL injury report on both sides is a mess, and these teams are not particularly prolific offensively, even when healthy. The total is low, but it is worth taking the under for.
- Spread
Perhaps the top Cardinals vs Broncos prediction is to take the three points with the Arizona Cardinals. In a game with such a low total, getting three points with either side is a solid move. Bettors may have to hold their noses, but the Cardinals are the right side in this matchup.
Arizona Cardinals vs. Denver Broncos Score Prediction
Looking at the score, our Cardinals vs Broncos prediction is that neither team will do much to light up the scoreboard. We see this game going under the total, which means a couple of ugly numbers from each side.
NFL Pick: Cardinals 17, Broncos 9
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