Bo Nix and the Denver Broncos are coming off a huge win over the defending Super Bowl champs.
Next on the docket is a scrappy Arizona Cardinals bunch that just pulled a huge road upset of the Los Angeles Rams. The good news for the Broncos (4-2) is that they got the mini-bye week before heading to the desert and could get a few players back from injury and the commissioner’s exempt list.
Denver looks to extend its winning streak to three games after coming out of a gauntlet to start the season. The
Broncos are currently -4.5-point road favorites over Arizona (2-4). The total sits at over/under 43.5 points, with a lean toward the over at -115.
Offensive Rankings
Denver: Thirty-first in total offense (252.2 yards per game), 26th in rushing offense (84.2 YPG), 28th in passing offense (168.0 YPG), 26th in scoring offense (19.0 points per game).
Arizona: Twenty-third in total offense (307.3 yards per game), 22nd in rushing offense (96.3 YPG), 20th in passing offense (211.0 YPG), 24th in scoring offense (21.0 points per game).
Defensive Rankings
Denver: Twenty-second in total defense (348.3 yards per game), 31st in rushing defense (139.8 YPG), 10th in passing defense (208.5 YPG), tied for 10th in scoring defense (20.8 points per game).
Arizona: Twenty-third in total defense (350.5 yards per game), 20th in rushing defense (120.8 YPG), 22nd in passing defense (229.7 YPG), tied for 31st in scoring defense (29.7 points per game).
Here are the MHR staff’s keys to Sunday’s game.
Win the line of scrimmage on offense
The Broncos offensive line has been the definition of “meh” to start the regular season. It’s nowhere near what it’s been the last few seasons, but it also isn’t horrid either. Denver needs to dominate the line of scrimmage on Sunday. Open lanes in the running game and do a better job of pass protection. It’s a cliche, but success on offense starts in the trenches. Getting that could lay the foundation for jump-starting the offense. — Ian St. Clair
Bench Bo Nix; Start Jarrett Stidham
Just kidding. Ya’ll crazy if you think benching Bo Nix is even remotely the answer. That said, Bo Nix does need to play better, and he isn’t seeing the field well to start the season. He’s had slow starts in every season he’s played, so, for now, I’m chalking this up to another slow start. However, seven games in, I’m hoping to see him take flight a bit now that the hardest part of the Broncos’ schedule is complete. At 4-2, they got through it with a winning record, and that is all we could hope for. — Tim Lynch
Pressure the QB
The key to this game is the same as it has been every week. Get to the QB. The defense has done a great job this season of causing mayhem in the backfield. Make it uncomfortable for Jacoby Brissett (like the back of a Volkswagen). When QBs are harassed and hurried, they make mistakes. — Adam Malnati
Disciplined, execution-based offensive football
This team needs to execute at a high level, and it will win this game easily. The defense is already there. If the offense can up its game, this Broncos team will be unstoppable. — Sadaraine
Limit the impact of Trey McBride
The Broncos defense has performed well this season, aside from a few games. For the most part, they’ve been able to limit the impact of the opposing team’s top player on their offense. This week, they face All-Pro tight end Trey McBride, who is coming off a sensational 2025 season. He is the focal point of Arizona’s aerial attack and gets over ten targets per game. Defensive coordinator Vance Joseph needs to come up with a good game plan that limits his impact on the game. If they can slow him down, Denver will have a great shot at earning their fifth victory of the season. — Christopher Hart
