In the final game of today’s NFL Preseason slate, the Denver Broncos will host the Arizona Cardinals. Denver produced a 30-9 victory over the 49ers in its opening preseason game, while the Cardinals edged out the Chiefs 20-17.
Looking at the odds on DraftKings Sportsbook, the Broncos enter as 3.5-point favorites and -175 on the moneyline. The Cardinals hold +145 odds of getting the outright win, with the game total set at 38.5 points.
Broncos vs. Cardinals prediction, pick
Cardinals Preview
Kyler Murray attempted just eight passes in the preseason opener, but he went 7-for-8 for 96 yards and looked efficient in his processing. He did, however, throw a concerning interception in the red zone.
This is not a concern for tonight’s outlook, as neither team plans on playing their starters more than a handful of snaps. Murray is expected to be held out of the matchup entirely. Arizona played several of its notable starters in the preseason opener, but it is changing its approach for tonight. The Cardinals only put up three points in the second half of the opening preseason game, with the second-string offensive line proving especially problematic. Jacoby Brissett and Clayton Tune filled in for the rest of the quarterback snaps. Running back Bam Knight also exploded for 51 yards on six carries and will be a player to watch tonight. Arizona also has some issues on the defensive end. It is already thin on depth with multiple starters sidelined with injuries. This will be further magnified as the Cardinals prioritize rest for the remaining starting caliber players.
Broncos Preview
Denver got off to a quick start to the preseason with Jarrett Stidham leading the charge. The former fourth-round pick completed 14 of his 15 pass attempts for 136 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Coach Sean Payton expressed that the Broncos also plan on resting their starters, but Denver has a strong track record in the preseason, which includes winning its last five August matchups. Bo Nix attempted 11 passes in the preseason opener but is expected to be held out entirely tonight. Sam Ehlinger also added a touchdown and went 6-for-11 passing. The running back battle is a more notable storyline in Denver with Tyler Badie, RJ Harvey and Jaleel McLaughlin each making their case for why they deserve snaps. Denver also held the 49ers to just 203 yards of offense and 1-for-12 on fourth downs in the preseason opener. It held San Francisco scoreless for the final three quarters of the game.
Best Bet
The concerns with the Cardinals’ defense are legitimate and will be problematic both in the regular season and during tonight’s preseason matchup. Jarrett Stidham looked decisive and confident in the previous game and could use another strong performance to cement his standing as the backup quarterback, with Sam Ehlinger attempting to push him. The Broncos lean on a quarterback-friendly system, and this should be magnified with Arizona’s defensive weaknesses in mind. Jacoby Brissett is a better preseason starter than some teams put on the field, but he will not be confused for a guy who is too good to be there. Expect the Cardinals to show some fight, but for their defensive issues to be too much to overcome. Look for Denver to put on a show in front of the home crowd and extend the lead beyond what Arizona is capable of matching. Feel confident in the Broncos covering the 3.5-point spread and for them to keep their preseason track record strong under Sean Payton’s reign.
