Broncos vs. Cardinals Point Spread: NFL Pre-Season Week 1 Odds, Prediction
New head coach Sean Payton confirmed quarterback Russell Wilson and Denver’s starters will play against the Cardinals this Friday, a wise move after Wilson sat out all pre-season last season and followed to have the worst year of his career with his new team.
New Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon hasn’t yet revealed his plans with Arizona’s starters, but it should be noted franchise quarterback Kyler Murray is still recovering from a torn ACL. Murray’s still unlikely to start Week 1 of the regular season, but it’s something Arizona has yet to rule out. For now, veteran Colt McCoy is the Cardinals’ starting pivot.
The late night kickoff Friday at State Farm Stadium gets underway at 10 p.m. ET, and the starters news has Denver a five-point road favourite with the total at 37.5 on the NFL odds.
NFL Pre-Season Point Spread and Betting Analysis
Broncos vs. Cardinals Betting Odds
The Denver Broncos traded seven assets for Russell Wilson prior to last season and were rewarded with the league’s worst scoring offence at 16.9 points per outing. With quarterback guru Sean Payton now leading the charge, things can only go up… right?
Denver’s 5-12 record last season was slightly better than the 4-13 Cardinals who struggled on both sides of the ball. Arizona was second-worst in points allowed (26.4 per game) while only averaging exactly 20 a game albeit without Murray for their final six games.
Denver’s both 5-0 ATS and straight up in their last five clashes with Arizona, but dropped five straight road games to end last season. Ironically, Arizona’s on a five-game slump at home.
Denver Broncos
The Broncos decided to try and upgrade Wilson’s protection this off-season by signing free agent offensive linemen Ben Powers (left guard) and Mike McGlinchey (right tackle). After that it’s most of the same on offence with Jerry Jeudy and Courtland Sutton leading the way at receiver. Tim Patrick is unavailable for a second straight season after a torn Achilles last week. Javonte Williams is also recovering at running back, and now ahead of off-season addition Samaje Perine on Denver’s RBs position chart.
Denver’s defence welcomed in pass-rusher Frank Clark, who’s addition should help a group that still managed still be above average last season despite the Broncos’ offensive woes. Cornerback Pat Surtain II is the name to watch after coming off a first team All-Pro year in his second NFL season.
Arizona Cardinals
At +18200 the Arizona Cardinals have the longest odds to win the Super Bowl this season, and one of the lowest win totals at 4.5. Needless to say it’s an uphill battle for Gannon’s squad, and more likely a rebuilding season.
Arizona added right tackle Paris Johnson Jr. with the sixth pick of the 2023 NFL draft, arguably their biggest off-season move. Linebacker Kyzir White came over in free agency but the Cardinals lost more than they gained with defensive tackle Zach Allen and cornerback Byron Murphy signing elsewhere.
On offence, McCoy has a healthy James Conner at running back along with receivers Marquise Brown and Rondale Moore. Tight end Zach Ertz remains on the physically unable to perform list as he recovers from an ACL suffered in Week 10 last season.
DEN
ARI