Arizona Cardinals at Denver Broncos Preseason NFL Picks & Predictions 8/31/2017

Thursday, August 31, 2017

Sports Authority Field

Get todays NFL Odds & Lines on this game

The Arizona Cardinals head to Sports Authority Field to play the Denver Broncos on Thursday, August 31, 2017. The opening line for this matchup has Denver as 3.5 point favorites. The total has been set at 38. The Cardinals were 6-10-0 against the spread last season and their over/under record was 10-6-0. The Broncos were 9-7-0 against the spread and their over/under mark was 7-9-0.

Valuable Arizona Cardinals Betting Trends

The Arizona Cardinals were 10-6-0 against the over/under last season

The Arizona Cardinals were 6-10-0 against the spread last year

Important Denver Broncos Betting Trends

The Denver Broncos were 7-9-0 against the over/under last season

The Denver Broncos were 9-7-0 against the spread last year

Key Arizona Cardinals Injuries

08/25/17 DT Robert Nkemdiche Calf "?" Sunday vs. Detroit

Key Denver Broncos Injuries

08/28/17 TE Jake Butt Knee out indefinitely
08/28/17 QB Paxton Lynch Shoulder "?" Monday vs. LA Chargers
08/28/17 LB Shaquil Barrett Hip "?" Monday vs. LA Chargers
08/27/17 WR Demaryius Thomas Groin probable Monday vs. LA Chargers
08/21/17 QB Trevor Siemian None expected to start Monday vs. LA Chargers
08/18/17 DE Derek Wolfe Ankle probable Monday vs. LA Chargers
08/12/17 DL Billy Winn Knee out for season
07/30/17 RB Devontae Booker Wrist PUP
07/29/17 LB Shane Ray Wrist expected to miss 6-8 weeks

Useful Offensive Statistics

The Arizona Cardinals were 6th in the National Football League in points scored with 418 last year. They ran 1,086 plays for 5,868 yards, which ranked them 9th in the NFL in total offense. The Cardinals averaged 5.4 yards per play, which was 19th in the league. As a team they accumulated a total of 368 1st downs last season, ranking them 3rd overall as an offensive unit. On the ground Arizona ran for 1,732 yards as a unit, which ranked 18th in the league. They ran 399 times, averaging 4.3 yards per rush as a unit. The Cardinals were penalized on offense 104 times for 889 yards last year, which had them 20th in the NFL in penalties. Carson Palmer passed for 4,233 yards last year. He completed 364 throws while attempting 597 passes for a completion percentage of 61.0%. His quarterback rating last season was 87.2 and his QBR was 58.9. He averaged 11.6 yards per completion and 7.1 yards per pass attempt.

Defensive Statistics

Arizona was 14th in the NFL in points surrendered on defense last year with 362. They gave up a total of 4,883 yards on D, which was 2nd in the league. The Cardinals were 2nd in yards per play allowed with 4.8. Their pass defense allowed 5.7 net yards per pass attempt, ranking them 3rd in the National Football League. Opponent offenses completed 344 throws on 547 attempts against the Arizona Cardinals defense last season, ranking them 10th and 9th in the league. The Arizona pass defense also surrendered a total of 3,365 yards in the air, which was 4th overall in total pass defense. Their rushing defense gave up 424 attempts for 1,518 yards last season, putting them in 9th place in the NFL against the run. The Cardinals had 123 penalties for 1010 yards on defense last year. That placed them 27th in the league. They allowed a score on 32.5% of possessions on defense, which was 9th in the NFL.

Special Teams Stats

Arizona was 9th in the NFL in punt returns with 38 last year. They totaled 230 punt return yards and averaged 6.1 yards per return, which was 30th in the league. Their longest punt return last season was 32 yards. They returned 25 kicks for 544 yards on special teams, placing them 24th in kick return yardage. The Cardinals averaged 21.8 yards per kick return and had a long of 51 yards last season. They were 13th in the National Football League in all-purpose yards with 6,931. The Arizona Cardinals tried 28 field goals last season and made 21, which was 27th in the league. Their kickers had a FG percentage of 75.0%. Arizona Cardinals kickers made 92% of their extra points, going 43 for 47 last season. Their punters accumulated 3,269 yards on 80 punts, averaging 38 yards per punt. That ranked them 32nd in the NFL in punting average.

Useful Offensive Statistics

The Denver Broncos ran for 1,484 yards as a team last year, which ranked 27th in the NFL. They ran 410 times, averaging 3.6 yards per carry as a rushing unit. The Broncos were penalized on offense 119 times for 985 yards last season, which had them 6th in the league in penalties. They were 22nd in the NFL in points scored with 333. They ran 1,020 plays last season for 5,169 yards, which ranked them 27th in the league in total offense. The Broncos averaged 5.1 yards per play, which was 27th in the National Football League. As a team they accumulated a total of 290 1st downs last year, placing them 28th overall as an offensive unit. Trevor Siemian averaged 7.0 yards per pass attempt and 11.8 yards per completion last season. He completed 289 passes on 486 attempts for a completion percentage of 59.5%. His QBR last year was 55.8 while is quarterback rating was 84.6. He threw for 3,401 yards.

Defensive Statistics

The Broncos rush defense allowed 482 attempts for 2,085 yards last year, putting them in 28th place in the league against the run. Denver committed 110 penalties for 990 yards on the defensive side of the ball last season. That ranked them 26th in the NFL. They gave up a score on 29.4% of possessions on defense, which was 4th in the league. They were 4th in the league in points allowed on defense with 297. They surrendered a total of 5,057 yards on D, which was 4th in the NFL. The Broncos were ranked 1st in yards per play allowed with 4.7. Their pass defense gave up 5 net yards per pass attempt, placing them 1st in the league as a unit. Opposing offenses completed 306 passes on 552 attempts against the Denver defense last season, placing them 2nd and 14th in the National Football League. The Denver Broncos pass defense also gave up a total of 2,972 yards through the air, which was 1st overall in total pass defense.

Special Teams Stats

The Denver Broncos attempted 34 field goals last season and made 29, which was 11th in the National Football League. Their kickers had a field goal percentage of 85.3%. Denver kickers made 97% of their extra points, going 32 for 33 last year. Their punters totaled 4,068 yards on 89 punts, averaging 37 yards per punt. That placed them 16th in the NFL in punting average. Denver was ranked 10th in the league in punt returns last season with 37. They accumulated 316 punt return yards and averaged 8.5 yards per return, which was 15th in the NFL. Their longest punt return last year was 25 yards. They returned 21 kicks for 481 yards on special teams, ranking 30th in kick return yardage. The Broncos averaged 22.9 yards per kick return and had a long of 46 yards last year. They were 30th in the league in all-purpose yards with 6,195.

Who will win tonight's Cardinals/Broncos NFL game against the spread?

Guy's Pick: Take the Broncos -3.5

Get $60 worth of FREE premium member picks. No Obligation. No Salesman. No Credit Card. Fast Sign up with Instant Access Click Here

Read more articles by Guy Bruhn