Denver Broncos vs Arizona Cardinals Odds, Picks & Predictions for NFL Preseason Week 1
- The Denver Broncos are 5.5-point road favorites over the Arizona Cardinals in the NFL preseason debut for both teams on Friday, August 11
- Denver has won three straight preseason games over the Cardinals
- The Broncos are 7-1 straight up in their last eight NFL preseason visits to Arizona. Are they the best bet in the Broncos vs Cardinals picks?
As the Denver Broncos hit the road to open the NFL preseason against the Arizona Cardinals, there’s plenty of similar circumstances surrounding both teams. We cover those similarities plus give you the Broncos vs Cardinals odds for this preseason match up here.
Each club is coming off double-digit loss seasons and under the tutelage of a new head coach. As well, both the Cardinals and Broncos are dealing with worrisome concerns at the quarterback position.
Oddsmakers seem to be of the belief that at this early stage, the Broncos will be further ahead on the rebound curve. The NFL odds have Denver set as 5.5-point road favorites over the Cardinals. All-time, Denver is 7-3 straight up at Arizona in NFL preseason play.
Broncos vs Cardinals Odds
| Team | Moneyline | Spread | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Denver Broncos | -230 | -5.5 (-110) | Over 37.5 (-110) |
| Arizona Cardinals | +190 | +5.5 (-110) | Under 37.5 (-110) |
Denver is being given an implied win probability of 68.3%. The total is set at 37.5 points. The last three Broncos vs Cardinals NFL preseason games all went under that total.
Kickoff is set for 10 pm ET on Friday, August 11 at State Farm Stadium. The game is being broadcast live on the NFL Network.
Odds as of Aug 11th at DraftKings. Be sure top claim a DraftKings promo code to bet on Broncos vs Cardinals and other NFL preseason action.
Wilson Seeking Rebound Campaign
Denver acquired QB Russell Wilson from the Seattle Seahawks last year in the midst of much fanfare. Instead of being the final piece to the puzzle, Wilson’s performance was simply puzzling. He ranked 28th among NFL passers.
Was it because of the incompetence of then-head coach Nathaniel Hackett? New head coach Sean Payton thinks so and has stated as such publicly. Still, it will be Wilson who must go out on the field and prove he isn’t done as a high-end NFL playmaker.
Russell Wilson comeback szn 🔥 pic.twitter.com/Q0ojfns75c
— PFF Fantasy Football (@PFF_Fantasy) August 10, 2023
Payton is suggesting that Wilson and the other offensive starters will get between 15-18 snaps during this game. Top returning rusher Javonte Williams won’t be playing, though. Still, after finishing 32nd in the NFL in scoring offense last season, Wilson will want set a different tone from the outset.
Tempo is a big part of what the Broncos are seeking to be about, Offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi is emphasizing that the team perform at a higher pace when in possession of the ball. This will be Denver’s first chance to put that practice into a game situation.
Redbirds Undergoing Total Rebuild
Along with new head coach Jonathan Gannon, Arizona is also working with new coordinators on both sides of the ball. Defensive coordinator Nick Rallis is switching from a 3-4 to a 4-3 defense. Meanwhile, offensive coordinator Drew Petzing wants to run the ball more.
The latter choice may have more to do with the absence of QB Kyler Murray (knee surgery) for the first few months of the season. Journeyman veteran Colt McCoy is #2 on the depth chart. He figures to get the initial couple of series under centre. Then it will be a free-for-all, as veterans David Blough and Jeff Driskel and fifth-round draft pick Clayton Tune all vie to display that they are worthy of playing time.
VIDEO: New RB Marlon Mack was helped off the field after a lower leg injury in his 3rd practice with the team. Mack was signed last week and was expected to compete for the backup running back spot. @12SportsAZ pic.twitter.com/At389cRNgX
— Cameron Cox (@CamCox12) August 9, 2023
Already, injuries are setting the Cardinals back. Veteran running back Marlon Mack (Achilles) went on IR, requiring the club to sign former Broncos RB Stevie Smith. Second-round pick LB BJ Ojulari is just coming off the PUP, while CB Garrett Williams, a third-round pick, is out, recovering from a torn ACL. So you’ll have to look to those backups for any NFL props for running backs.
Broncos vs Cardinals Prediction
Can there be bad blood during a preseason game? The Cardinals strongly pursued Payton in the offseason, only to see him choose the Broncos.
Without Murray, the Cardinals threw for just 17 TD passes, leaving them 28th in the league. Top to bottom, Arizona is an all-around bad team, perhaps the worst in the NFL. Meanwhile, with a Super Bowl-winning head coach running the show, the Broncos should be trending upward.
In the last three preseason victories over the Cardinals, Denver has outscored Arizona 71-19.
Broncos vs Cardinals Picks: Denver Broncos -5.5 (-110)
DRAFTKINGS SPORTSBOOKGET $1,050 IN BONUSES!
CAESARS SPORTSBOOKFIRST BET ON CAESARS UP TO $1,250 + 1,000 TIER CREDITS AND 1,000 REWARD CREDITS®
FANDUEL SPORTSBOOKNO SWEAT FIRST BET UP TO $1,000!
BETMGM SPORTSBOOKFIRST BET OFFER: UP TO $1,000 PAID BACK
An industry veteran, Bob literally taught the course on the history of sports at Elder College. He has worked as a Sports Columnist for Postmedia, appeared as a guest on several radio stations, was the Vice President of the Society For International Hockey Research in Ontario, and written 25 books.
