The Denver Broncos (-1.5) and Arizona Cardinals are set to face off on the dome at University of Phoenix Stadium. The Thursday game is scheduled to be televised nationally on FOX and the opening kickoff is slated for 8:20 p.m. ET.
Thursday NightBetting Preview: Arizona Cardinals vs. Denver Broncos
Arizona is a live dog in this one and is currently getting 1.5 points. The Broncos are also receiving -125 moneyline odds while the Cardinals are +105. Oddsmakers have determined the over/under (O/U) to be 40 points, and if one team can catch a lucky break early, it will likely create a worthwhile live betting scenario.
Sharp bettors are siding with the under, as the game’s total was set initially at 41.
The Broncos have lost 2.1 units so far and are 1-4-1 against the spread (ATS). They’ve been a good under bet and have posted an O/U record of 2-4.
The Cardinals are down 4.0 units this season. The team is 3-3 ATS and also has an O/U record of 2-4.
The Broncos are 2-4 straight up (SU) in 2018 while the Cardinals are 1-5 SU.
The Broncos hope to bounce back after a 23-20 defeat to the Rams last week where Case Keenum completed 25 passes for 322 yards, two scores and one interception. Royce Freeman (only 22 rushing yards on nine attempts) led the running attack in the loss while Emmanuel Sanders (seven receptions, 115 yards, one TD) and Lindsay (six catches, 48 yards) shared the receiving duties.
Back in Week 6, Minnesota knocked off this Arizona team by a score of 27-17. The Cards defense let the Vikings run for 195 yards on 32 rush attempts, including two rush TDs. Latavius Murray was a force to be reckoned with, recording 155 rushing yards and a score on 24 attempts for Minnesota. For Arizona, Josh Rosen completed 21-of-31 passes for 240 yards and one interception. David Johnson (55 yards on 18 rush attempts, one TD) mounted the ground game in the defeat while Christian Kirk (six receptions, 77 yards) and Larry Fitzgerald (five catches, 39 yards) led the pass-catching attack.
Denver has run the ball on 37.5 percent of its offensive possessions this year while Arizona has an overall rush percentage of 41.2 percent. The Broncos have rushed for 124.2 yards/game and have six touchdowns via handoffs this year. The Cards are logging 64.0 rushing yards per game and have five total rush TDs.
The Broncos offensive scheme has tallied 281.2 yards/contest in the air overall and has seven passing TDs so far. The Cards have recorded 171.0 pass yards per contest and have four total pass scores.
Denver has let opponents rush for an average of 161.3 yards and throw for 261.0 yards per game. The Arizona defense has allowed 263.8 yards per game to opposing passers and 151.2 yards per game on the ground. The Cards are allowing an adjusted net yards per pass attempt (ANY/A) of just 5.91 to opposing QBs, while the Broncos have given up a 6.74 ANY/A.
Offensively, Keenum has amassed 1,310 passing yards on the year. He’s connected on 112-of-182 attempts with five scores through the air and seven interceptions. Keenum has a 5.30 adjusted net yards per pass attempt, including 6.44 over the last two outings.
Emmanuel Sanders (429 receiving yards, two receiving touchdowns on the year), Demaryius Thomas (225 receiving yards, two receiving TDs) and Phillip Lindsay (285 rush yards, one rush TD, 93 receiving yards, one TD) have all played big roles recently.
Josh Rosen has managed to complete 40-of-65 passes for 456 yards, one TD and two INTs for Arizona. His ANY/A stands at 4.76 for the season and 5.69 over his last two games.
Christian Kirk, David Johnson and Larry Fitzgerald have combined for 382 yards from scrimmage and four touchdowns over the last two games.
Denver Broncos at Arizona Cardinals NFL Pick
SU Winner: Broncos, ATS Winner: Cardinals, O/U: Under
Betting Notes
- Arizona has lost four fumbles this season while Denver has yet to let any get away.
- The Arizona defense has created 18 sacks on the year while Denver has 16.
- As a team, Denver has rushed for 5.6 yards per attempt across its past three outings and 4.5 over its last two.
- Arizona has averaged 2.9 yards per carry over its last three games and 2.7 over its last two.
