DENVER vs LA CHARGERS
When: 12/27/2020 4:05 PM
Where:

TV: 4:05 PM
LINE: -3.5
PREDICTION: LA CHARGERS , DENVER

Oddsmakers currently have the LA CHARGERS listed as -3.5 point favorites versus the DENVER, while the game’s total is sitting at 49.

The Denver Broncos and Los Angeles Chargers are only playing for pride and draft positioning Sunday afternoon at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, Calif., but that doesn’t mean the AFC West rivals don’t have anything to celebrate.

Both can boast of having a pair of Pro Bowl players. Linebacker Bradley Chubb and safety Justin Simmons were named to the squad from Denver, while defensive end Joey Bosa and wide receiver Keenan Allen represent the Chargers.

It’s a small consolation for teams that had hoped to be playing well into January. Instead they look to the future with their young quarterbacks showing the potential to become franchise mainstays.

For the Chargers (5-9), Justin Herbert stepped into the starting role in Week 2 after Tyrod Taylor was injured in the first week of the season. Herbert has been solid in his rookie season, throwing for 3,781 yards and 27 touchdowns and rushing for another four in 13 games.

Herbert has earned the respect of Broncos coach Vic Fangio.

“Very, very impressed with him — big arm, big body, fast, strong in the pocket, hard to get down, has really run their offense with a great command,” Fangio said Wednesday. “I think their offensive coaches have done a good job bringing him along. He’s been very, very impressive.”

Herbert is coming off one of his best games of the season. He passed for 314 yards and two touchdowns, and ran for another in an overtime win over the Las Vegas Raiders. It was L.A.’s second successive victory after dropping eight of the previous 10.

Herbert beat the Raiders with Allen, his top receiver, limited with a hamstring injury. Allen didn’t practice Wednesday and could be a game-time decision Sunday.

Herbert’s opposite number, Drew Lock, hasn’t put up the same numbers but Denver (5-9) thinks it has found its quarterback after four seasons of searching. Lock has thrown just 14 TD passes and 2,330 yards in 11 games, but one of his best outings came against the Chargers on Nov. 1.

The Broncos rallied to erase a 14-point fourth-quarter deficit, winning it on Lock’s touchdown pass to KJ Hamler as time expired. Two weeks ago, he had a stunning performance against Carolina, when he was 21-for-27, 280 yards and 4 TDs in a 32-27 triumph.

He struggled last week against Buffalo but hopes to bounce back to finish the season strong.

He’ll have to do it against a former teammate who also wants to finish out the year on a high note. Cornerback Chris Harris Jr., a key member of Denver’s defense that led the team to the Super Bowl 50 title, has battled injuries in his first year with the Chargers. In Week 3 he suffered a high ankle sprain, a low ankle sprain, a broken toe and a bruised foot, missing seven games.

He returned Nov. 29. By then L.A.’s playoff hopes were slim but the former All-Pro wanted to play.

“Most guys would have been done for the year,” Harris said this week. “I was motivated to try to do whatever I can to get back and help this team.”

The Broncos will get help with the return of kicker Brandon McManus, who was placed on the COVID-19 /reserve list for close contact with someone who tested positive for the coronavirus. His one-game replacement, Taylor Russolino, missed a field goal and two extra points.

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LAS VEGAS vs DENVER
When: 1/3/2021 4:25 PM
Where:

TV: 4:25 PM
LINE: -2
PREDICTION: DENVER , LAS VEGAS

Oddsmakers currently have the DENVER listed as -2 point favorites versus the LAS VEGAS, while the game’s total is sitting at 50.5.

Now that 2020 is ending without a postseason for the Las Vegas Raiders and Denver Broncos, the teams are looking toward 2021 already.

First, they have to wrap up this schedule and start making decisions for the next one, and that will happen when Las Vegas plays at Denver on Sunday afternoon.

For the Raiders (7-8), their first year in their new home was marked by missed opportunities that cost them a chance to get in the expanded playoff field. Las Vegas is the only team to beat the Kansas City Chiefs this season, but a flat performance against Atlanta and last-second losses to the Los Angeles Chargers and Miami Dolphins turned what could have been an 11-win season into a mediocre one.

Despite the tough losses, there is a silver lining. Tight end Darren Waller is on the verge of 100 receptions; his 98 catches (for 1,079 yards and eight touchdowns) are just seven shy of Tim Brown’s franchise record and earned him a Pro Bowl selection.

Running back Josh Jacobs is 24 yards from a second straight 1,000-yard rushing season and was also named to the Pro Bowl.

“Oh, they’re great,” Raiders coach Jon Gruden said of the duo. “(Waller’s) a man that’s on the verge of potentially breaking Tim Brown’s record, one I thought never would be broken. And Josh Jacobs, those are two great building blocks.”

Waller, Jacobs and the rest of the Las Vegas offense could have a big day against Denver’s banged-up defense. Linebacker Bradley Chubb, who was also named to the Pro Bowl, has an ankle injury that kept him out of last week’s loss at the Chargers.

Defensive end Shelby Harris (knee) and safety Trey Marshall (quadriceps) are also nursing injuries. Wide receiver KJ Hamler is in the concussion protocol.

The Raiders listed several players on their injury report — tackle Trent Brown (knee), defensive end Clelin Ferrell (shoulder), guard Denzelle Good (ankle), defensive tackle Maurice Hurst (calf) and cornerback Lamarcus Joyner (thigh).

Denver (5-10) failed to reach the postseason for the fifth straight year, matching the drought from 2006-10. The Broncos hoped to see quarterback Drew Lock make a big leap after he had an impressive ending to 2019, but the second-year QB out of Missouri has struggled.

Lock has thrown 15 interceptions and has at least one turnover in 11 straight games, but he hasn’t lost confidence in himself and embraces the pressure of being a franchise quarterback.

“You feel that from Day 1 when you’re playing quarterback for any team,” Lock said Wednesday. “It’s a given pressure that is put on you, but it’s one that I’m excited about. It’s one that I’m going to carry with me into the offseason, so I can have an offseason unlike any other.

“The only thing I need to prove is that we can win a game with me under center. That’s what every quarterback has to prove — take care of the ball, put us in a good position to win the game and finish it out with a win. That’s all I want to do, and that’s all I care to do. However that needs to happen and however it does happen, I’m going to do everything I can to get us that.”

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TENNESSEE vs DENVER
When: 9/14/2020 10:10 PM
Where:

TV: 10:10 PM
LINE: -2
PREDICTION: DENVER , TENNESSEE

Oddsmakers currently have the DENVER listed as -2 point favorites versus the TENNESSEE, while the game’s total is sitting at 42.

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CHICAGO vs DENVER
When: 4:25 PM ET, Sunday, September 15, 2019
Where: Empower Field at Mile High, Denver, Colorado

TV: 4:25 p.m. ET, FOX.
LINE: Bears -2.5.
O/U: 40.5
PREDICTION: Bears 27, Broncos

Oddsmakers currently have the DENVER listed as -2.5 point favorites versus the CHICAGO, while the game’s total is sitting at 40.5.

Two teams looking to bounce back from disappointing season openers square off Sunday as the Chicago Bears visit the Denver Broncos. Chicago came out on top on the stat sheet against Green Bay at home but dropped a 10-3 decision while Denver suffered a 24-16 loss in Oakland that was not as close as the scoreboard indicated.

The Bears, who got on the board first, topped the Packers in first downs (16-13) and total yards (254-213) while Mitchell Trubisky (228) threw for more yards than Aaron Rodgers (203). Chicago was unable to establish the run, however, as it totaled 46 yards on 15 carries – with its longest play going for eight yards. Denver was kept off the scoreboard by Oakland in the first half on Monday and was limited to three field goals after intermission before finding the end zone with just over two minutes remaining. Joe Flacco completed 21-of-31 passes for 268 yards in his debut for the Broncos, whose defense allowed the Raiders to go 10-for-14 on third-down attempts.

ABOUT THE BEARS (0-1): Chicago allowed Trubisky to be sacked five times by Green Bay and now faces a defense that features one of the NFL’s top pass rushers in Von Miller, but tackle Charles Leno Jr. is confident in his ability to protect his quarterback this week. “I’m not saying I got a handle (on it),” Leno told reporters. “I’ve still got to go out there and do my job and perform. But going against those guys (Khalil Mack and Leonard Floyd) in practice every day. I mean, how much more difficult is it going to get?” Tight end Trey Burton has practiced on a limited basis this week after missing the season opener with a groin injury and hopes to play in Week 2.

ABOUT THE BRONCOS (0-1): Courtland Sutton got off to a good start in his quest to avoid a sophomore jinx as he made seven catches for a game-high 120 yards. “I thought he made some catches in traffic and had strong hands,” Flacco told reporters of the 23-year-old. “I thought he did a good job getting some yardage after the catch also. It wasn’t like he was wide-open, but he’s a big, physical guy that I can feel comfortable throwing the ball to in some of those situations.” Cornerback Bryce Callahan, whose 2018 season ended in Week 14 due to a foot injury, missed this year’s opener with – according to coach Vic Fangio – the “same issue” but was a limited participant in Thursday’s practice.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Broncos LB Todd Davis practiced on Wednesday for the first time since suffering a calf injury on July 18 and hopes to make his season debut this week.

2. Chicago on Wednesday claimed TE J.P. Holtz off waivers from Washington and waived DT Abdullah Anderson, who was signed to the team’s practice squad the following day.

3. Denver placed Tim Patrick (hand) on injured reserve and signed fellow WR River Cracraft, who was waived earlier this month after appearing in eight games for the team last year.

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DENVER vs OAKLAND
When: 10:20 PM ET, Monday, September 9, 2019
Where: RingCentral Coliseum, Oakland, California

TV: 10:20 p.m. ET, ESPN.
LINE: Broncos -2.
O/U: 42.5
PREDICTION: Broncos 23, Raiders 20

Oddsmakers currently have the OAKLAND listed as -2 point favorites versus the DENVER, while the game’s total is sitting at 42.5.

The Oakland Raiders have finally stopped waffling when it comes to deciding what to do with disgruntled wide receiver Antonio Brown. The Raiders released Brown and his 686 receptions and 9,145 yards since 2013 – the most in NFL history for a six-year period – two days prior to Monday night’s season opener against the visiting Broncos, and Brown immediately signed with the defending Super Bowl champion New England Patriots.

It appears the Raiders were going to suspend Brown before he delivered an emotional apology to teammates Friday, when the club changed course and said he would play Monday. But Brown on Saturday posted “release me” on Instagram and Oakland complied after an tumultuous training camp that saw him suffer frostbite on his feet during a cryotherapy treatment, refuse to wear a new helmet even though the NFL mandated that all players must use a newer, approved model and have a heated exchange with first-year general manager Mike Mayock. The Raiders, who will move to Las Vegas after this season, and the Broncos are projected to battle for last place in the AFC West as the Joe Flacco era begins in Denver. “Listen, I feel like I’ve got a lot left in the tank and I feel like I can do a lot more than what I’ve really shown over the course of my 11-year career,” Flacco told reporters. “So, I’m excited that I’m going to have the opportunity here to do that.”

ABOUT THE BRONCOS (2018: 6-10, THIRD IN AFC WEST): Flacco, who lost his job in Baltimore last season to Lamar Jackson, needs 1,755 passing yards to reach 40,000 in his career. Running back Phillip Lindsay, who rushed for 1,037 yards as an undrafted rookie last season, is completely healed from a broken wrist that forced him to miss the final game of 2018. Denver’s defense boasts a pair of powerful pass rushers in Von Miller (14.5 sacks last season, 98 career) and Bradley Chubb (12 as a rookie in 2018), and top cornerback Chris Harris – the only player in the league with multiple interceptions over the last seven seasons.

ABOUT THE RAIDERS (2018: 4-12, LAST IN AFC WEST): Without Brown and his NFL-most 74 touchdowns since entering the league in 2010, Tyrell Williams will likely emerge as the marquee wideout as he makes his club debut after catching 153 passes and scoring 16 touchdowns over the last three seasons with the San Diego/Los Angeles Chargers. Oakland selected running back Josh Jacobs with the 24th overall pick and hope the former Alabama star can improve a ground game that was 25th in the league in each of the last two seasons while taking pressure off quarterback Derek Carr. Tahir Whitehead is one of seven linebackers in the league with five or more interceptions (five) and 30 or more tackles for loss (32) since 2014.

EXTRA POINTS

1. The Broncos have won 499 games – playoffs included – and seven straight season openers, which is the NFL’s longest active streak. Denver also owns the league’s highest Week 1 winning percentage at .672 (39-19-1).

2. The Raiders yielded an NFL-most 29.2 points per game last season.

3. Oakland leads the series 64-53-2. The home team has won the last six meetings.

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CLEVELAND BROWNS vs DENVER BRONCOS
When: 8:20 PM ET, Saturday, December 15, 2018
Where: Broncos Stadium at Mile High, Denver, Colorado

TV: 8:20 PM
LINE: -3.5
PREDICTION: DENVER , CLEVELAND

Oddsmakers currently have the DENVER listed as -3.5 point favorites versus the CLEVELAND, while the game’s total is sitting at 44.5.

The Denver Broncos’ disheartening setback in their last outing not only ended their promising three-game winning streak, it also positioned them one game behind four others in the mad dash for the sixth and final seed in the AFC playoffs. The Broncos bid to dust themselves off and post their 12th consecutive win over the Cleveland Browns on Saturday night when the clubs meet in Denver.

“Our record right now, we’re still in it, and every game now is a must-win. We haven’t talked about that, but we have to now: Every game that we play is a must-win,” coach Vance Joseph said of his Denver team that dropped a 20-14 decision at San Francisco on Sunday to reside behind Baltimore (7-6), Miami (7-6), Indianapolis (7-6) and Tennessee (7-6). Joseph also took aim at offseason acquisition Case Keenum following his third straight sub-200-yard performance, saying that the quarterback “has to make more plays.” Top overall pick Baker Mayfield, however, has found success since Cleveland fired former head coach Hue Jackson and named Freddie Kitchens as the offensive coordinator, throwing 11 touchdowns in his last five games while improving his quarterback rating to 114.4 in that stretch following Sunday’s 26-20 win over Carolina. Mayfield will look to exploit a vulnerable Broncos secondary that is without Pro Bowler Chris Harris Jr. (fractured left fibula) and could be missing fellow cornerbacks Tramaine Brock (ribs) and Isaac Yiadom (separated right shoulder).

TV: 8:20 p.m. ET, NFL Network. LINE: Broncos -3. O/U: 45.5

ABOUT THE BROWNS (5-7-1): While Mayfield’s bravado is readily available for the cameras, fellow rookie Nick Chubb has earned the nickname “Old School” for his quiet demeanor. Chubb’s play on the field speaks volumes, however, as the 22-year-old recorded a rushing touchdown in his fifth straight game versus the Panthers and eighth overall (six rushing, two receiving) in seven contests since taking over the starter’s role after Cleveland traded fellow running back Carlos Hyde to Jacksonville. Wideout Jarvis Landry found the end zone twice (one receiving, one rushing) last week and had two touchdown grabs among his seven receptions in his only career encounter at Denver in 2014 while playing with Miami. “You have to get him going early. You have to get that momentum,” Mayfield said of Landry. “Then he is a guy who he feeds off that momentum, that energy and that confidence.”

ABOUT THE BRONCOS (6-7): Linebacker Bradley Chubb told reporters that he won’t ease up on Nick Chubb, who is his second cousin. “I know he’s not going to hold back and he knows I’m not going to hold back,” said Bradley Chubb, who has posted a franchise rookie-record 12 sacks this season. “It’s just going to be a regular football game. You can’t put too much weight on it because then if you start thinking, ‘My cousin’s on the other side,’ you end up getting trucked or something.” Fellow rookie Phillip Lindsay rushed for his sixth touchdown in four games last Sunday, although he was limited to just 30 yards on 14 totes to drop his NFL-best yards per carry average on the season to an impressive 5.8. Lindsay will face Cleveland’s generous 28th-ranked rush defense needing just 33 yards to reach 1,000 on the season.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Cleveland DE Myles Garrett has collected 7.5 of his club-high 12.5 sacks in his past seven games.

2. Denver LB Von Miller has recorded 9.5 of his team-best 13.5 sacks in his last eight contests.

3. Browns CB Damarious Randall has two of his club-high four interceptions in the past three games.

PREDICTION: Browns 23, Broncos 16

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DENVER BRONCOS vs SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS
When: 4:05 PM ET, Sunday, December 9, 2018
Where: Levi’s Stadium, Santa Clara, California

TV: 4:05 PM
LINE: 4
PREDICTION: SAN FRANCISCO , DENVER

Oddsmakers currently have the SAN FRANCISCO listed as 4 point favorites versus the DENVER, while the game’s total is sitting at 45.5.

The Denver Broncos have reeled off three straight victories to remain in the AFC wild-card race and look to add another triumph when they visit the San Francisco 49es on Sunday. But the Broncos were dealt a couple of blows to overcome in the forms of a season-ending injury to receiver Emmanuel Sanders and a probable season-ender for cornerback Chris Harris Jr.

Harris fractured a bone in his lower right leg in last Sunday’s 24-10 victory over Cincinnati while Sanders tore his left Achilles during practice on Wednesday. “It’s tough,” Broncos quarterback Case Keenum told reporters. “You don’t really replace guys. Emmanuel is one of the best guys I’ve ever worked with. … It surpassed all my expectations, far and away.” San Francisco is far removed from the NFC playoff race and has allowed an average of 32.3 points during its three-game slide. The 49ers have lost five games by double digits, including last Sunday’s 43-16 setback against Seattle.

TV: 4:05 p.m. ET, CBS. LINE: Broncos -4. O/U: 45.5.

ABOUT THE BRONCOS (6-6): Keenum has passed for 2,953 yards with 14 touchdowns and 10 interceptions, but it won’t be a surprise if Denver opts for a run-heavy attack due to its inexperienced receiving group minus Sanders. Red-hot rookie running back Phillip Lindsay has topped 100 rushing yards in back-to-back games, and his season-best 157 against the Bengals has elevated him to fourth in the NFL with 937. The loss of three-time Pro Bowler Harris will hurt a defensive unit that is receiving standout seasons from pass rushers Von Miller (second in the NFL with 12.5 sacks) and Bradley Chubb (rookie-high 10 sacks).

ABOUT THE 49ERS (2-10): Quarterback Nick Mullens passed for a career-best 414 yards in the loss to the Seahawks and has a stellar target in tight end George Kittle (62 receptions, 893 yards), who is 73 yards away from surpassing the franchise record for a tight end (Vernon Davis with 965 in 2009). “Obviously, it hasn’t mattered what quarterback is in there,” Mullens told reporters of Kittle. “He’s been making plays since Day One. You can credit him to that chemistry because it doesn’t matter who is in there. He’s going to catch it and step up and make plays.” Defensive end DeForest Buckner leads the club with nine sacks, but the defensive unit has allowed more than 30 points on four occasions.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Lindsay is averaging an NFL-best 6.1 yards per carry.

2. Denver claimed WR Andre Holmes off waivers from Buffalo shortly after Sanders was injured.

3. San Francisco LS Kyle Nelson was suspended 10 games for violating the NFL’s policy on performance-enhancing substances.

PREDICTION: Broncos 26, 49ers 13

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HOUSTON TEXANS vs DENVER BRONCOS
When: 4:05 PM ET, Sunday, November 4, 2018
Where: Broncos Stadium at Mile High, Denver, Colorado

TV: 4:05 PM
LINE: -1
PREDICTION: DENVER , HOUSTON

Oddsmakers currently have the DENVER listed as -1 point favorites versus the HOUSTON, while the game’s total is sitting at 46.

The Houston Texans knew they were a better team than they showed in the early part of the season and have proven themselves right, turning things around and soared to the top of the AFC South. Houston will have a new weapon in its arsenal on Sunday as it seeks a sixth consecutive victory when it visits the Denver Broncos.

The Texans began the campaign with three tough losses – all by seven points or fewer – but have reeled off five straight wins, including a 42-23 rout of Miami on Oct. 25. Houston has had more than a week to prepare for Denver and will have someone very familiar with its opponent at its disposal in wide receiver Demaryius Thomas, who was acquired from the Broncos on Tuesday. Denver’s season has been almost completely opposite of Houston’s, as the club won its first two games before losing four in a row and five of six after falling 30-23 at Kansas City in Week 8. Rookie Phillip Lindsay was a bright spot in the setback as he recorded a career-high 112 yards from scrimmage (95 rushing) while running for a touchdown for a second straight week.

TV: 4:05 p.m. ET, CBS. LINE: Broncos -1. O/U: 46

ABOUT THE TEXANS (5-3): Deshaun Watson had a field day against the Dolphins last week, completing 16-of-20 attempts for 239 yards and five touchdowns without an interception. The 23-year-old has thrown 34 scoring passes in 15 career games and needs one to join Kurt Warner (39) and Dan Marino (35) as the only quarterbacks in NFL history with at least 35 in their first 16 contests. Thomas, a five-time Pro-Bowler, is Denver’s all-time leader in 100-yard receiving games (33) and ranks second in both receiving yards (9,055) and TDs (60), and made 36 catches for 402 yards and three scores this season.

ABOUT THE BRONCOS (3-5): Denver has another impressive rookie on the other side of the ball in linebacker Bradley Chubb, who was named the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Month for October after recording 5.5 sacks, 14 tackles and five tackles for loss. The 22-year-old is the first Broncos rookie to register multiple sacks in consecutive games since Elvis Dumervil in 2009 and first NFL rookie since Aldon Smith of San Francisco in 2011 to collect at least 5.5 sacks in a three-game span. Case Keenum, who appeared in 10 games for Houston from 2012-14, has thrown for 1,118 yards and five touchdowns in four starts at home this year.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Thomas was acquired by the Texans to replace WR Will Fuller V, who was placed on injured reserve and will undergo knee surgery that will sideline him for 6-9 months.

2. Denver LB Von Miller is tied for second in the league with eight sacks while Chubb has registered a rookie-high seven.

3. With a victory on Sunday, Houston will join the 1970 New York Giants as the only teams since that year to win six straight contests after losing their first three.

PREDICTION: Texans 31, Broncos 27

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DENVER BRONCOS vs KANSAS CITY CHIEFS
When: 1:00 PM ET, Sunday, October 28, 2018
Where: Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri

TV: 1:00 PM
LINE: -10
PREDICTION: KANSAS CITY , DENVER

Oddsmakers currently have the KANSAS CITY listed as -10 point favorites versus the DENVER, while the game’s total is sitting at 53.5.

The Kansas City Chiefs look to continue their divisional dominance – especially against the Denver Broncos – when they host their AFC West rivals on Sunday. The Chiefs have won six straight meetings and are 18-2 against divisional opponents since 2015.

Kansas City sits atop the AFC West again thanks to second-year quarterback Patrick Mahomes and one of the league’s most dynamic offenses. Mahomes’ legend grew when he rallied the Chiefs from a 10-point deficit in the final 13 minutes for a 27-23 win at Denver in Week 4. “It’s kind of like we just went in panic mode in the fourth quarter,” Broncos cornerback Chris Harris Jr. told reporters. “Everybody just (needs to) calm down when it gets like that, when we get situations like that. Just don’t go in panic mode as a defense. Everybody just calm down and play football and read your keys. That’s what really hurt us in that fourth quarter.” That was the second of four straight losses for the Broncos, who rebounded with a 45-10 romp at Arizona last week but still trail the Chiefs in the division by three games.

TV: 1 p.m. ET, CBS. LINE: Chiefs -10. O/U: 53.5

ABOUT THE BRONCOS (3-4): Denver’s run defense had been horrendous for three games before tightening up in last week’s win over the Cardinals. The Broncos limited Arizona to 223 total yards and forced five turnovers, but they’ll face a much greater challenge against Mahomes and the Chiefs. Rookie running back Phillip Lindsay has emerged as the workhorse in the backfield, but offseason signing Case Keenum has struggled to maintain possession, throwing nine interceptions against eight touchdowns.

ABOUT THE CHIEFS (6-1): The 27 points against the Broncos marked a season low for Kansas City, which owns the league’s highest-scoring offense. Mahomes has topped 300 yards passing in six straight games – the longest streak in the league – and leads the NFL with 22 touchdown passes, including seven to speedster Tyreek Hill. The defense gives up a league-worst 435.4 yards per game but is coming off a dominant effort in last week’s 45-10 rout of Cincinnati, as it held the Bengals to 239 total yards.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Kansas City LB Justin Houston, who has registered 11 sacks in his last six games against Denver, is listed as questionable with a hamstring injury that already has sidelined him for two contests.

2. Denver WR Emmanuel Sanders, who has recorded at least 100 yards and a touchdown in back-to-back games, is questionable with an ankle injury.

3. Chiefs TE Travis Kelce has notched at least 75 yards and a touchdown in three straight meetings with the Broncos.

PREDICTION: Chiefs 33, Broncos 24

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DENVER BRONCOS vs ARIZONA CARDINALS
When: 8:20 PM ET, Thursday, October 18, 2018
Where: State Farm Stadium, Glendale, Arizona

TV: 8:20 PM
LINE: 2.5
PREDICTION: ARIZONA , DENVER

Oddsmakers currently have the ARIZONA listed as 2.5 point favorites versus the DENVER, while the game’s total is sitting at 40.

The Arizona Cardinals and Denver Broncos went shopping in the offseason to fix their respective quarterback issues and came away with a pair of players who spent last season with the Minnesota Vikings. Neither move has panned out for the Cardinals and Broncos, a pair of teams who have a collective three wins entering Thursday’s matchup at Arizona.

Denver has dropped four in a row since opening the season with a pair of narrow victories at home, but Pro Bowl linebacker Von Miller all but guaranteed a win over the Cardinals. “I wouldn’t say it’s a must-win, we’re going to kick their (butt), though,” Miller told reporters Tuesday. “Make sure you put that up there. We’re going to kick their (butt).” Cardinals rookie quarterback Josh Rosen, who supplanted Sam Bradford as the starter in Week 3, said their was no “sense of desperation” to win after his team’s 1-5 start, but first-year coach Steve Wilks disagreed. “I would say all our jobs are in jeopardy, including mine, if we don’t win,” Wilks said.

TV: 8:20 p.m. ET, FOX, NFL Network. LINE: Cardinals -1.5. O/U: 41.5

ABOUT THE BRONCOS (2-4): Denver has to tighten up against the run, ranking last in the league with an average of 161.3 yards permitted on the ground after allowing a 200-yard rusher for the second straight week in a 23-20 loss to the unbeaten Los Angeles Rams. The Broncos’ pass rush did generate five sacks in the latest setback, including 3.0 by rookie linebacker Bradley Chubb. Case Keenum threw scoring passes to wide receivers Emmanuel Sanders and Demaryius Thomas on Sunday but still has more interceptions (8) than TDs (7) through the first six games. Rookie running backs Phillip Lindsay and Royce Freeman were held to a combined 40 yards on 13 carries last week.

ABOUT THE CARDINALS (1-5): Arizona ranks last in the league in total yards (220.5) and rushing (64.0) under offensive coordinator Mike McCoy, who was fired by the Broncos during the 2017 season following a six-game slide. Rosen did throw for a career-high 240 yards but failed to throw a touchdown pass in last week’s 27-17 loss at Minnesota. Rosen connected with fellow rookie Christian Kirk six times for 77 yards against the Vikings, but running back David Johnson has surpassed 55 yards rushing just once in six games despite scoring six touchdowns. The offensive woes are magnified by a defense that ranks 31st against the run by surrendering an average of 151.2 yards.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Denver has won eight of the past nine meetings against the Cardinals.

2. Johnson has had at least 100 yards from scrimmage in nine of his last 11 at home, scoring 13 TDs in that span.

3. Miller has 8.5 sacks and four forced fumbles in his last six games versus NFC opponents.

PREDICTION: Broncos 23, Cardinals 20

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