NFL Free Pick: Broncos vs Cardinals

Thursday Night Football for Week 7 of the NFL regular season features the Denver Broncos visiting the Arizona Cardinals. The two teams have just a combined three wins entering the matchup.

The current line on top sportsbooks has Arizona favored by 1.5 points with the over/under total on 42.

Denver has lost four straight since opening the season with two consecutive wins at home, but Von Miller the Broncos Pro-Bowl linebacker told reporters earlier this week that he and his teammates will kick the Cardinals’ butt.

The Broncos must fix their run defense, which is last in the NFL allowing 161.2 yards per game after giving up over 200 yards rushing for the second straight week in Denver’s 23-20 loss to the Los Angeles Rams.

The pass rush did its job sacking Rams quarterback Jared Goff five times, including 3.0 by Bradley Chubb the Broncos rookie linebacker.

Offensively, quarterback Case Keenum threw touchdown passes to Demaryius Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders in the loss to the Rams, but has thrown just seven touchdowns passes to eight interceptions. The running game consisted of a combined 40 yards between rookie backs Royce Freeman and Phillip Lindsay.

Arizona is led by its rookie quarterback out of UCLA Josh Rosen, who took over for former starter Sam Bradford during Week 3. The Cardinals have started the season 1-5 but Rosen insists there is not a sense of desperation amongst the team.

However, Arizona’s head coach Steve Wilks does not agree, Wilks said he feels everyone’s job is on the line including his, if the Cardinals do not win.

Arizona is dead last in total yards in the NFL at 220.5 yards per game and in rushing at 64.0 per game. Rosen passed for his career high of 240 yards last week in Arizona’s 27-17 loss to the Minnesota Vikings. The QB’s favorite target in the loss was Christian Kirk who caught six passes for 77 yards.

Running back David Johnson is not gaining the rushing yards the Cardinals had hoped for during preseason. Johnson has gained 55 yards or more just once in the first six games, but has scored six touchdowns.

On defense, the Cardinals are No. 31 against the run giving up an average of 151.3 yards per game.

Prediction: Both teams are major disappointments this season after six weeks. The Broncos have played slightly better overall, but the Cardinals will be at home and Josh Rosen is playing better each week. Take Arizona at home to win and cover in a low scoring defensive struggle with a late field goal deciding the game 20-17. Check out the ratings for the top rated sportsbooks online.