The Arizona Cardinals (1-0) and Denver Broncos (1-0) will face off in NFL Preseason Week 2. Kickoff is set for 9:30 p.m. ET from Empower Field at Mile High in Denver. The game will be broadcast live on the NFL Network.
The Broncos are favored by -3 with the game total set at 38.5 (-110o / -110u). The Broncos are -185 favorites to win outright, while the Cardinals are +150 to pull off the upset.
Let's get into my Broncos vs Cardinals predictions and NFL preseason picks.
Cardinals vs Broncos Odds
| Cardinals Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+3 -105 | 38.5 -110o / -110u | +150 |
| Broncos Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-3 -115 | 38.5 -110o / -110u | -185 |
- Cardinals vs Broncos spread: Broncos -3 (-115), Cardinals +3 (-105)
- Cardinals vs Broncos over/under: 38.5 (-110o / -110u)
- Cardinals vs Broncos moneyline: Cardinals +150, Broncos -185
- Cardinals vs Broncos best bet: Broncos -3 (-115)
My Cardinals vs. Broncos best bet is on Denver to cover the spread, with the best odds currently available at BetMGM. For all of your NFL bets, be sure to find the best lines by using our live NFL odds page.
Cardinals vs Broncos NFL Preseason Week 2 Preview
With the regular season on the horizon, the question is whether teams are going to continue to give their starters reps. Thankfully, we have some clarity on the situation ahead of this game with Broncos head coach Sean Payton confirming that neither Denver nor Arizona "are going to play the number ones."
For the Cardinals, that means no Kyler Murray under center and no Trey McBride at tight end after the 25-year-old had an impressive joint practice against the Broncos. Without Murray at quarterback, we're set to see Jacoby Brissett and Clayton Tune get increased time.
In last week's victory over the Chiefs, we saw Brissett perform far more effectively. In terms of passing attempts, they were similar. Tune had one more attempt (nine in total) than Brissett, while both completed five passes.
However, Tune got intercepted and only managed 47 yards, while Brissett — one of the best backups in the NFL — threw for 81 yards and two touchdowns.
Beyond the quarterback position, there's a battle to be James Conner's deputy, and this game gives running backs Trey Benson, Emari Demercado, and DeeJay Dallas a chance to fight for that spot.
On the other side, Bo Nix didn't perform at his best in the win over the 49ers last week, with both other QBs on the Broncos' roster managing to throw touchdown passes. Sensibly, the team didn't allow him to use his feet, meaning we saw a neutered version of the player he can be. However, it's clear they're a worse team without him there.
Jarrett Stidham shined in that victory, completing 14-of-15 passing attempts for 136 yards and two touchdowns, while Sam Ehlinger also got in on the act.
Both should split time on-field equally on Saturday, with Payton saying that "there will be a group in the first half and second half."
This presents a great opportunity for both men to get extended playing time with the expectation being that Nix will get some reps in the final preseason game next week.
Payton has always treated preseason games with respect and has a winning record through his career, albeit only just. Last year, the team went 3-0 in preseason, and given that Payton likes to play some starters in Week 3, we might see a repeat of that.
The Broncos performed well against the 49ers last week, beating them by 21 points and most impressively, continuing to look good as player turnover increased during the game.
Stidham and Ehlinger aren't elite backups, but there's enough to believe that in Payton's system, they can be effective, and they should have the upper hand against a Cardinals team without their best players.
Add in home-field advantage, for what that's worth during preseason, and the Broncos ATS is the pick.
My Pick: Broncos -3 (-115, BetMGM)
Spread
As mentioned, I'm backing the Broncos to cover the spread.
Moneyline
I have no play on the moneyline.
Over/Under
I'm not interested in the total for this game.
