Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix gets a prime opportunity to reverse a season-long slide when the 4-2 Broncos travel to face the Arizona Cardinals in Glendale on Sunday.
Nix has thrown for fewer than 125 passing yards in each of Denver’s last two wins, a sharp drop-off for a player who looked like a game-changer earlier this season. Nix himself has acknowledged he’s dealing with mental hurdles on the field, often checking the ball down instead of pushing it downfield.
The matchup favors a turnaround. Arizona’s secondary has allowed 16 touchdown passes through Week 6, the most in the league, and is giving up an average of 229.7 passing yards per game. The Cardinals also enter the game on a nine-game losing streak in Glendale and sit 0-2 against the spread at home this season.
Denver, meanwhile, comes in well rested off a 10-day break following a clutch overtime win over the defending champions last Thursday night.
Arizona’s Mixed Record
Arizona isn’t without momentum. The Cardinals improved to 2-0 at SoFi Stadium this season after upsetting the Rams last week, holding Matthew Stafford and Los Angeles to just 16 points even though Arizona’s own offense managed only six field goals.
But Arizona’s defense has been inconsistent all year. The unit surrendered 45 points to Detroit in Week 5, 36 points to Jameis Winston and the Giants in Week 4, and gave up more than 30 points apiece in earlier losses to San Francisco and Seattle.
Quarterback Jacoby Brissett will need to keep the ball away from a Denver defense that ranks eighth in the league in EPA per play, is tied for second with seven interceptions, and sits fourth overall with 18 sacks. Denver also gets reinforcements up front, with Jonathan Cooper returning to pair with Zach Allen and Nik Bonito on the defensive line, a tough matchup for Arizona’s offensive front.
If the Cardinals hope to stay competitive, they’ll need to lean on the run, where Denver’s front has struggled. With rookie running back Jeremiyah Love out, Arizona’s backfield will be led by Zonovan Knight.
The Pick
Look for Nix to spread passes around Sunday, taking shots downfield to Jaylen Waddle and Courtland Sutton while leaning on running back RJ Harvey out of the backfield. If Denver’s defense forces turnovers and sets him up with a short field, Nix should throw for two touchdowns and begin a midseason turnaround following his ankle injury.
The play: Bo Nix to throw 2+ passing touchdowns, listed at +108 on DraftKings.
