The NFC West-leading Arizona Cardinals travel to Sports Authority Field this weekend to take on the defending AFC champion Denver Broncos. Fresh off a bye, Denver needs a win to keep up with division-leading San Diego.
Despite a bevy of injuries, the Cardinals have opened the year with a 3-0 record. Though listed as questionable, quarterback Carson Palmer is unlikely to play this week. Instead, Drew Stanton will make his third start for Arizona. The team does expect to have top rusher Andre Ellington, who continues to play through a foot injury.
Denver expects to have all of its normal starters in the lineup. Of their regular first stringers, only guard Louis Vasquez has been limited in practice this week. The bye week should have given Wes Welker, who returned Week 3 from suspension, the time he needed to get back in sync with the offense.
Through their first three games, the Cardinals have allowed only 45 total points, an impressive figure considering their opponents have been the Chargers, Giants and 49ers. Arizona's defense has done this despite a lack of sacks, registering only three over the course of the season. Instead, the catalyst has been turnovers. The Cardinals have picked off opponents three times and forced two fumbles.
While Denver's defense hasn't performed quite as well, it has still allowed a respectable 22.3 points per game, good for 13th overall in the league. Regardless, the Broncos' offense has soared behind the expected strong play of Peyton Manning. Pass catchers Julius Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders have been the primary beneficiaries, combining for 494 receiving yards.
How to watch
Where: Sports Authority Field at Mile High, Denver, Colo.
When: 4:05 p.m. ET
TV: FOX
Announcers: Joe Buck, Troy Aikman, Erin Andrews
Radio: Cardinals Radio Network, Broncos Radio Network
Online streaming: Verizon NFL Mobile
Odds
The Broncos are 8-point favorites at home, with the over/under coming in at 48 points, per OddsShark.
Further reading
For more on the Cardinals, check out Revenge of the Birds. For additional coverage of the Broncos, head on over to Mile High Report.