The Denver Broncos (4-2) are set to face a team from the NFC West that they have had great success against historically. The Broncos will travel to Arizona to face a 2-4 Cardinals team on Sunday. The Broncos have only lost one regular-season game to the Cardinals in their history.
However, the Broncos have not looked like a 4-2 team so far this season. They have been fortunate to this point, but many fans will point to the incredibly difficult first six games that were on the schedule. This game was marked as the start of things getting easier when the schedule came out, but there are few easy wins in the NFL.
On paper, this looks like a good matchup for the Broncos, but several things could lead to Denver leaving unhappy. There are multiple concerns
for Broncos fans in this one.
Broncos' Week 7 concerns vs. Cardinals
1. Bo Nix
Bo Nix will be listed as a concern for the team until he gets better, simple as that. He has played poorly this year and the last time we saw him, against Seattle, he was simply atrocious.
Nix is facing a defense that is ranked 22nd against the pass this season, so there should be some openings to get the ball down the field. Will he do that? To this point this season, he's seemed hesitant to even try. Nix has to start to show improvement, as he is one of the biggest reasons why the offense can't get moving and the team is having a hard time putting points on the scoreboard.
2. Jaylen Waddle pops up on injury report
Jaylen Waddle popped up on the injury report with a chest injury on Wednesday and was limited in practice in the team's last two days. If he has another limited session on Friday, Waddle will likely be listed as questionable for Sunday and if he plays, how effective will he be?
This is the last thing the Broncos need right now, as the offense already lacks firepower and Waddle is their biggest potential difference-maker.
3. Cardinals have competed
If you took a poll of NFL fans asking who the worst team in the NFL is, the Cardinals would be a popular answer. However, despite their 2-4 record, this team is not going to lay down for anybody.
They defeated the Los Angeles Rams last week and they played the currently undefeated San Francisco 49ers tight earlier this season. First-year head coach Mike LaFleur will have his team ready, so the Broncos better not even think of looking past this team, particularly with the way they have been playing.
4. Running game still ineffective
The best way for the Broncos to get Nix going might be to get the running game going. Unfortunately, that hasn't happened this season. The Broncos are averaging just 84.2 yards per game on the ground this season, which ranks 26th in the league. That was supposed to be a focal point going into the season and the current group is just not getting much accomplished.
Earlier this week, the Broncos designated rookie running back Jonah Coleman to return from injured reserve, opening up his 21-day window to be added back to the 53-man roster. It would be a huge boon to the rushing attack if he can be ready to go this Sunday.
Social: Follow Broncos Wire on Facebook and Twitter/X!
This article originally appeared on Broncos Wire: 4 causes for concern when Broncos play Cardinals in Week 7
