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Cardinals (4-9) at Broncos (3-10)
When: 2:05 p.m. MT, Sunday
Where: Empower Field
Radio/TV: 850 AM, 94.1 FM/CBS
Broncos-Cardinals series: Broncos are 9-1-1 in 11 regular-season games dating back to 1973; the Broncos won 45-10 in the last meeting, on Oct. 18, 2018, in Arizona.
Key matchup
Colt McCoy vs Broncos D
After Kyler Murray suffered a noncontact ACL injury in the first quarter of Arizona’s loss to New England last week, veteran backup Colt McCoy will be called upon for his third start of the season.
McCoy was 1-1 in his first two starts, leading Arizona to a 27-17 win over the Rams in Week 10 and then losing 38-10 to the 49ers the following game. The 2010 third-round pick by the Browns is 11-24 across 35 career starts with Cleveland, Washington, the New York Giants and Arizona.
Broncos defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero, who crossed paths with McCoy when the quarterback was a backup in San Francisco in 2013, isn’t underestimating the 36-year-old.
“He’s a smart guy who plays decisive and gets the ball out fast,” Evero said. “Obviously they had some protection issues last week (yielding six sacks), so we’ll see where they adjust from that standpoint, but he’s a very good player. He’s been in this league a long time because of what he can do above the neck. And he’s a very good athlete.”
If the Broncos can lock down McCoy and the Cardinals offense, which features mediocre rushing and passing attacks, that will pave the way to Denver’s first home victory since Week 3 against the 49ers.
The Broncos secondary remains elite, ranking seventh in the league in net passing yards allowed per game, but Pat Surtain II and others will need to make sure receiver DeAndre Hopkins doesn’t take over.
Who has the edge?
Quarterback
Russell Wilson is out after suffering a concussion last week, meaning Brett Rypien will be making his second start of the year. Cardinals backup Colt McCoy (neck) was limited this week; Kyler Murray suffered a season-ending ACL injury last week. Edge: Even
Running back
The Broncos’ ground attack, led by Latavius Murray and Marlon Mack, has only broken the 100-yard mark in two of the last five games. Arizona’s rushing takes a huge hit without Kyler Murray, though they still have James Conner, who has 561 yards so far. Edge: Cardinals
Receiver/tight end
Courtland Sutton and KJ Hamler are still sidelined with hamstring injuries. Jerry Jeudy is coming off a career game with three TDs against KC last week. Arizona features All-Pro receiver DeAndre Hopkins, plus rookie tight end (and CSU product) Trey McBride. Edge: Cardinals
Offensive line
The Broncos played three different left guards last week, and starter Dalton Risner (shoulder/back) remains questionable this week. The Broncos gave up six sacks to KC and can’t consistently establish the run. Arizona has plenty of protection issues, too. Edge: Even
Defensive line
Dre’Mont Jones is dealing with a hip injury. Mike Purcell and DeShawn Williams have been better against the run over the past couple weeks. Future Hall of Famer J.J. Watt is still a force off the edge, and leads Arizona with 6.5 sacks; Leki Fotu stuffs the run. Edge: Even
Linebacker
Jacob Martin headed to injured reserve with a season-ending knee injury. It will be up to Baron Browning and Jonathon Cooper off the edges; Josey Jewell has been on a tear and had two picks last week. ILB Zaven Collins is having a strong season for Arizona. Edge: Even
Secondary
Pat Surtain II got his first pick of the year last week, and keeps playing at a high level as a shut-down corner. Justin Simmons and Kareem Jackson bring stability to the back end. Cardinals safety Budda Baker is a playmaker, leading them with 95 tackles. Edge: Broncos
Special teams
Brandon McManus is 23-of-30 on field goals. Punter Coliss Waitman has been inconsistent, especially with his hang times. Returner Montrell Washington showed flashes last week. Arizona has former Broncos kicker Matt Prater, who’s 12-of-14 on field goals. Edge: Even
Tale of the tape
| Category | Broncos | Cardinals |
| Total offense | 315.5 (27th) | 333.8 (20th) |
| Rush offense | 103.2 (25th) | 114.8 (17th) |
| Pass offense | 212.4 (22nd) | 219.1 (18th) |
| Points per game | 14.9 (32nd) | 21.3 (17th) |
| Total defense | 314.3 (7th) | 354 (21st) |
| Run defense | 117.7 (17th) | 110.2 (8th) |
| Pass defense | 196.6 (7th) | 243.8 (25th) |
| Points allowed | 18.3 (4th) | 26.8 (32nd) |
* Through Week 14
By the numbers
97: The number of penalties committed by the Broncos this year; they’ve been last in the league in that category since October.
28.1%: Denver’s third-down percentage, which ranks last in the NFL.
76.7%: Brandon McManus’ field goal percentage, which ranks the Broncos last in the NFL as a team, although the majority of McManus’ misses have come from 50-plus.
24: The number of career interception by Justin Simmons, who is tied with Pro Football Hall of Fame safety Steve Atwater for the fourth-most picks by a safety in team history.
2: The number of active safeties to accumulate 800-plus tackles, 20-plus interceptions and 100-plus passes defensed since 2010. Kareem Jackson is one, and New England’s Devin McCourty is the other.
Betting/fantasy
Line: Broncos -1.5
The Broncos are favored?! What?! Stop the presses. Well, they are at home against a lowly Arizona team that has been an utter disappointment. Still, I wouldn’t bet on this Broncos team. Based off the first 13 games of evidence, take the Cardinals to cover.
Prop bet: Over/under 36.5 total points
The Broncos are last in the league at 14.9 points per game. The Cardinals are 17th in the league at 21.3 points per game. Factor in the backup quarterbacks variable, and this adds up to a defensive game. Take the under. The winning team won’t need to crack 20 points.
Post predictions
Mark Kiszla, columnist: Broncos 16, Cardinals 13
Orange-and-blue diehards who show up to cheer the home team not only have a chance to win concert tickets for George Strait or Taylor Swift, but also will witness the Broncos’ best chance to win a game the remainder of this season. It’s a deal hard to resist, don’t you think? (That’s a rhetorical question.)
Kyle Newman, beat writer: Cardinals 17, Broncos 16
Another heartbreaker! I’m picking against this team until they prove me wrong. Just like the Carolina game, just when you think the Broncos have a gimmie putt in front of them… Denver gets the yips and finds another way to lip out. This time, old friend Matt Prater drills the game-winner as time expires.
Parker Gabriel, beat writer: Cardinals 16, Broncos 13
With a normal week at quarterback for Denver, the pick might have been to take the home team by a touchdown. It is entirely plausible that Nathaniel Hackett’s team carries something over from that relative scoring outburst against the Chiefs. At this point, though, that is a believe-it-when-you-see-it proposition.
Sean Keeler, columnist: Broncos 19, Cardinals 13
Want a stat that’ll melt your brain? Brock Purdy — Mr. Irrelevant — has as many passing touchdowns during three starts (six) as Russell Wilson has managed over his last six. If you dug Broncos-Texans, kids, you’ll love this one. America won’t.
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