Bo Nix and the Denver Broncos are coming off a big win over the defending Super Bowl champs.
Next on the docket is a scrappy Arizona Cardinals team that just pulled off a huge road upset of the Los Angeles Rams. The good news for the Broncos (4-2) is that they get a mini-bye week before heading to the desert and can get some players back from injury and the commissioner’s exempt list.
Denver looks to extend its winning streak to three games after overcoming a challenge to start the season. The Broncos are currently -4.5-point road favorites over Arizona (2-4). The total is at over/under 43.5 points, with a lean towards the over at -115.
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).
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 at the line of scrimmage on offense
The Broncos’ offensive line was the definition of “meh” to start the regular season. It’s nowhere near what it was a few seasons ago, but it’s not terrible either. Denver needs to dominate the line of scrimmage on Sunday. Open up 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 can lay the foundation for starting the offense. — Ian St. Clair
Bench Bo Nix; Start Jarrett Stidham
just kidding You’d be crazy if you think benching Bo Nix is even remotely the answer. That said, Bo Nix needs to play better, and he hasn’t seen the field well to start the season. He’s had a slow start every season he’s played, so, for now, I chalk it up to another slow start. However, seven games in, I hope to see him fly a little more now that the toughest part of the Broncos’ schedule is complete. At 4-2, they got through it with a winning record, and that’s all we can hope for. — Tim Lynch
The key to this game is the same every week. Go to the QB. The defense has done a great job this season of causing havoc in the backfield. Make it uncomfortable for Jacoby Brissett (like the back of a Volkswagen). When QBs are harassed and rushed, they make mistakes. — Adam Malnati
Disciplined, execution-based offensive football
This team needs to execute at a high level, and it can easily win this game. The defense is there. If the offense can step up the game, this Broncos team will be unstoppable. — Sadaraine
Limit the Trey McBride effect
The Broncos defense has performed well this season, aside from a few games. For the most part, they were able to limit the impact of the opposing team’s top player on their offense. This week, they will face All-Pro tight end Trey McBride, who is coming off an impressive 2025 season. He is the focal point of Arizona’s aerial attack and gets more than 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 good chance to get their fifth victory of the season. — Christopher Hart