Aug 18, 2024; Denver, Colorado, USA; Denver Broncos quarterback Zach Wilson (4) passes the ball in the second half against the Green Bay Packers at Empower Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
- The undefeated Denver Broncos host the winless Arizona Cardinals in their final preseason game
- Denver is favored but only by a field goal
- See the Arizona Cardinals vs Denver Broncos odds, picks, and predictions for August 25
The Denver Broncos (2-0, 1-0 home) look to complete a perfect preseason on Sunday afternoon when they welcome the Arizona Cardinals (0-2, 0-1 away) to Empower Field at Mile High at 2:30 pm MT/4:30 pm ET.
Denver, which is the highest-scoring team of the preseason so far, is favored in its final tune-up game, but the Cardinals vs Broncos odds show the spread at just a field goal, with the game total at a low 33.5.
Arizona Cardinals vs Denver Broncos Odds
| Teams | Spread | Moneyline | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arizona Cardinals | +3 (-108) | +140 | O 33.5 (-112) |
| Denver Broncos | -3 (-112) | -166 | U 33.5 (-108) |
On the moneyline, Denver is priced at -166 to improve to 3-0, while the Cardinals are +140 in Sunday’s NFL odds to pick up their first win of the preseason.
Odds as of Aug. 25 at DraftKings. Claim this week’s best NFL betting promos.
Arizona lost a heartbreaker in Week 1, falling 16-14 at home to New Orleans on a last-second field goal. They were outclassed by the Colts in Indianapolis in Week 2, falling 21-13 while getting out-gained 356 to 232, despite forcing the only two turnovers of the game.
The Indy run game racked up 166 yards at 4.5 yards per carry.
The Broncos won a 34-30 shootout with that same Colts team in Week 1 and then crushed the Packers 27-2 in Week 2, holding Green Bay to just 168 total yards of offense.
Neither Starting QB Will Play in Week 3
Like most of the preseason finales, Sunday’s Cardinals vs Broncos game won’t feature either Week 1 starter. For the Cardinals, oft-injured Kyler Murray has missed every preseason game for the last two years, and that trend is going to continue in Week 3.
That means the snaps will go to backup Desmond Ridder and third-stringer Clayton Tune. Ridder, a former Atlanta Falcon, is 10/19 for 114 yards, no touchdowns, and no interceptions through his first two preseason games with the Cardinals. Tune, who has taken the majority of the snaps, is 23/34 for 242 yards, one TD, and no picks.
Don’t let Clayton Tune get hot! pic.twitter.com/jlwuLf5s7O
— PHNX Cardinals (@PHNX_Cardinals) August 11, 2024
For the Broncos, 24-year-old rookie QB Box Nix won the starting job. Head coach Sean Payton has already stated Nix will sit out Week 3 of the preseason. That leaves veterans Jarrett Stidham and Zach Wilson to share the load against the Cardinals.
Stidham is 11/18 for 102 yards and two interceptions through the first two weeks while Wilson, the former Jets starter, is 12/19 for 146 yards, one touchdown, and no picks and appears to have the lead in the battle for the backup spot.
Cardinals vs Broncos Prediction
The absence of Nix will have the Denver offense looking very different from the unit that dominated the last two weeks. Nix took almost as many snaps as Wilson and Stidham combined, and fully earned the starting position with his play.
But I don’t have a lot of confidence that Ridder and Tune are going to be able to move the ball against a Denver defense that pitched a shutout in its only other home game. (Green Bay’s only points last week came on a safety when Zach Wilson was sacked in the end zone.)
The Cardinals receiving corps, especially the preseason version, is ultra-thin, with undrafted rookies doing most of the “damage” for the team so far.
All in all, I am expecting another low-scoring game from the Cardinals – whose games are averaging just 32.0 PPG – and an uninspired offensive performance from Denver without their new offensive catalyst.
ARI vs DEN pick: Under 33.5 (-108)
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The Arizona Cardinals will face off against the Denver Broncos in Preseason Week 3, and fans are eagerly anticipating this matchup. Both teams have shown promise in their previous preseason games, but now they will be looking to fine-tune their strategies and solidify their rosters before the start of the regular season.
As for the odds, the Cardinals are currently listed as slight favorites over the Broncos. This may be due to the fact that the Cardinals have a more experienced quarterback in Kyler Murray, who has shown flashes of brilliance in his young career. However, the Broncos have a strong defense led by players like Von Miller and Bradley Chubb, which could pose a challenge for the Cardinals’ offense.
In terms of picks and predictions, it’s always difficult to predict the outcome of preseason games as teams often use these games to evaluate their players and try out new plays. However, based on the current roster and performances in previous games, it seems like the Cardinals may have a slight edge over the Broncos in this matchup.
One key factor to watch in this game will be how the Cardinals’ defense performs against the Broncos’ offense. The Broncos have a new quarterback in Teddy Bridgewater, who will be looking to establish chemistry with his receivers and make a case for the starting job. If the Cardinals’ defense can put pressure on Bridgewater and force turnovers, they could come out on top in this game.
Overall, this preseason matchup between the Arizona Cardinals and Denver Broncos is sure to be an exciting one for fans of both teams. While the odds may favor the Cardinals, anything can happen in preseason football, so it will be interesting to see how this game plays out. Be sure to tune in and see which team comes out on top in this Week 3 showdown.