Kickoff Sunday, Dec 18th 4:05pm Eastern

Cards (
17.75) at

Broncos (
19.25)

Over/Under 37.0

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Notes

Game Overview ::

By mike johnson >>
  • Arizona will be starting backup quarterback, Colt McCoy, while Denver could also be relying on their backup, Brett Rypien.
  • Both teams are out of the playoff hunt with nothing but pride left to play for.
  • Denver’s defense has been stout this season, especially against non-elite opponents.
  • Arizona is playing on a short week after losing on Monday night to the Patriots.

How Arizona Will Try To Win ::

The Cardinals will start Colt McCoy at quarterback after losing star QB Kyler Murray to a torn ACL on Monday night against the Patriots. McCoy has started two games already this season, beating the Rams and getting dominated by the 49ers. This week, he will get the task of facing a Broncos defense that has held their opponent under 20 points in 9 of 13 games. The Cardinals offense is also without Zach Ertz and Rondale Moore, who are both on IR. DeAndre Hopkins, Marquise Brown, and James Conner are left as the headliners for Arizona at the skill positions, and we can expect most of the offense to flow through these three. James Conner has been used as a bellcow recently and we can expect a similar approach this week as the Cardinals are on the road against one of the top three pass defenses in the league that is much more beatable on the ground. When the Cardinals do turn to the air, we can expect Hopkins and Brown to be heavily featured. In McCoy’s first two starts, Marquise Brown was out but Hopkins + Moore combined for 19 receptions in the first game, while Hopkins + Greg Dortch combined for 18 receptions in the second game. Brown is a full-time player and I would expect him and Hopkins to be targeted a large percentage of the time that Arizona does take to the air. Again, the Broncos defense is much more beatable on the ground, and their offense has struggled all season, regardless of the quarterback, making it likely that Arizona plays things close to the vest against a tough opponent on the road for as long as they can.

How denver Will Try To Win ::

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