Denver Broncos vs. Arizona Cardinals Game of the Week Preview

By Kevin Parvizi | Oct 5, 2014

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Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning (18) during the second half. Seattle defeated the Denver Broncos 26-20. Steven Bisig-USA TODAY Sports

The Arizona Cardinals have started the season with a 3-0 record despite a nerve issue to starting quarterback Carson Palmer, but there’s a strong chance their dream start to the year ends this afternoon at 4:05 p.m. ET against the well-rested Denver Broncos, who are coming off of a bye week. Although the Broncos have picked up a loss this year, it was an overtime defeat to the Seattle Seahawks, and they are clearly one of the two unquestionably elite teams in the league right now. This should be an entertaining game, though the Cardinals defense will have an awful lot of pressure on them.

J.P. Scott

Everyone wants to focus on the how the Denver offense will fare against the Arizona defense, but if you look on the other side of the ball, there is a huge mismatch. Arizona is dead last in the league on offense. That will be the difference in this one, as I feel like Denver and Manning can do more damage to the Arizona defense that than Cardinals can to Denver. I like the Broncos to win this one 27-17.

Keith Demolder

While the Cardinals do have talented playmakers on offense, they will never be the same as Denver. Andre Ellington is a very talented runner, however injury concerns and the Broncos defensive front seven will keep the sophomore at bay this week. I believe this game will be won on defense. If Patrick Peterson and the Cards secondary can rattle Manning early, this game is theirs. However, P.M. is one of the best in the game right now. Look for Demaryius Thomas to bounce back and be a part in a big win.

DEN- 24 AZ 21

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Todd Salem

Sell all your Arizona Cardinals stock; now begins their descent.

No one was more of a 3-0 phony than the Philadelphia Eagles, but Arizona came close. The Cardinals should have been 1-2 heading into their bye. It took a fourth-quarter flurry for them to edge the Chargers by one point, and they have absolutely nothing to take away from beating New York. The Giants would have lost to Arizona State that weekend playing the way they did.

If the Cards were to re-play San Diego and New York this weekend, they’d lose to both teams. The wins certainly still count, but this team is not as good as 3-0 would indicate, especially considering how awfully shaky the 49ers appear.

The rush defense is for real. It’s just a shame Denver doesn’t bother running the football anyway except to give Peyton’s shoulder a play off. The Denver Broncos, coming off a bye as well, will have no problem with Arizona’s “offense” and should dispatch of the NFC’s remaining undefeated. Carson Palmer’s return can’t come soon enough, to at least give fans someone to blame when this team starts going south.

Dan Salem

The only reason this game is up for debate is because the Broncos are coming off a tough loss to the Seahawks, read demoralizing, and a bye week. I like Arizona, but as a young child likes dinner, not dessert. Denver is dessert and with Wes Welker now completely back, with multiple weeks of practice under his belt, they cruise past the Cardinals.

Denver 35 , Arizona 14

Keith Myers

Arizona has the league’s #2 run defense, allowing just 2.9 yards per carry. Denver is among the worst in the league at running the football, averaging just 3.2 yards per run. The Cardinals will be able to make the Denver offense completely one-dimensional, just like Seattle was able to do two weeks ago.

Unfortunately, Arizona doesn’t have the pass rushers to completely shut down Denver’s passing game. Manning and that passing have too much talent for Arizona to keep bottled up all game. While I think this will be a low scoring game, Denver should be able to pull out a hard-fought win.

Denver 23 – 20 Arizona