The Arizona Cardinals will host the Denver Broncos on Thursday Night Football to kick off week seven of the NFL season. Both the Cardinals and Broncos have struggled in the early going this season, but there is still time to turn their seasons around. The Broncos and Cardinals have not met since 2014, with Denver winning that game 41-20.
The Arizona Cardinals come into this game with a 1-5 record and are in last place in the NFC West. The Cardinals lone win of the season came against the San Francisco 49ers in week five. The Broncos got off to a 2-0 start this season, but have lost four straight games to fall to 2-4. The Broncos are a 1.5 point favorite over the Cardinals in this game.
Cardinals Struggling Offense
The lack of offensive production from the Arizona Cardinals is the biggest reason for the team’s 1-5 record. The Cardinals are averaging just 13.7 points per game this season, which is only better than the Buffalo Bills. The passing and rushing averages for the Cardinals rank in the bottom-two of the league heading into week seven. If Arizona is going to start winning games, they are going to need to put up some points.
Rookie quarterback Josh Rosen has struggled since taking over the starting job, but the team still believes that he is the face of the franchise moving forward. Rosen has thrown for just 143 yards per game this season, including just two touchdown passes. Running back David Johnson has scored five rushing touchdowns this season, but is averaging less than 50 yards per game. Both Rosen and Johnson will need to play better in this game.
Broncos Can’t Stop the Run
The Denver Broncos need to find a way to slow down the Cardinals running game on Thursday night. The Broncos have given up an average of 161.3 rushing yards per game this season, which is the worst mark in the entire NFL. Denver surrendered over 200 rushing yards to the Los Angeles Rams in week six, and will face another stud running back in David Johnson in this game.
Phillip Lindsay has emerged as a solid running back for the Broncos this season. Lindsay is averaging 5.7 yards per carry this season, but has found the end zone just one time this season. Denver will need a big game from Lindsay on Thursday night as quarterback Case Keenum has struggled in his first season with the Broncos. Keenum has thrown eight interceptions this season, while finding the end zone just seven times.
Denver Snaps Losing Skid
This Thursday Night Football matchup features a pair of struggling teams, but this could be a highly competitive game. Josh Allen has thrown flashes of greatness for the Cardinals, but has yet to put it all together in one game.
The Broncos need to find a way to stop the run, and give their offense good field position to work with. Look for Denver to figure it out on defense and beat the Cardinals in this game. Bet the Denver Broncos on the road on Thursday Night Football.
