Broncos vs. Cardinals Recap: McBride Catches 10 as Denver Wins 30-16
The Broncos beat the Cardinals 30-16 in Arizona on Sunday. It was 6-6 late in the second quarter before Bo Nix broke a 62-yard touchdown run, and Denver scored on its first drive of the third quarter to make it 20-6. Arizona moved the ball for 353 yards but went 1-of-5 in the red zone and settled for field goals far too often. Four DARIMARKET plays cashed on this game, three of them on the Arizona passing game.
What cashed
ALT: Trey McBride 7+ receptions (-148 at FanDuel): CASHED - Our read: McBride had cleared 7+ catches in 9 of his last 10 and 16 of his last 20, and -148 priced that well below his recent form. - What happened: 10 catches on 13 targets for 111 yards, plus a 7-yard touchdown from Jacoby Brissett late in the third quarter. - Worth watching: He drew 13 of Brissett's 48 throws. As long as the targets stay in double digits, his reception lines stay in play.
ALT: Jacoby Brissett 200+ passing yards (-224 at DraftKings): CASHED - Our read: Brissett had cleared 200 passing yards in 8 of his last 10 and 16 of his last 20. - What happened: He went 27-of-48 through the air for 272 yards and a touchdown with no interceptions. That beat the rung by 72 yards. - Worth watching: Arizona trailed the whole second half and kept throwing. When the Cardinals are underdogs, his yardage floor is worth a look.
ALT: Cardinals over 15.5 points (-210 at DraftKings): CASHED - Our read: Arizona had scored 16 or more in 8 of its last 10, and 5 of 6 this season. - What happened: This came down to a fourth-quarter field goal. Chad Ryland hit field goals from 30, 26 and 41 yards, and McBride's touchdown made it 13. Ryland's 41-yarder with 6:21 left put Arizona at exactly 16. - Worth watching: Team totals tied to field goals can sweat late. The Cardinals got inside the 20 five times, and the field goals from those trips carried the total.
RJ Harvey 43+ rushing + receiving yards (-113 at FanDuel): CASHED - Our read: Harvey had cleared 43 scrimmage yards in 7 of his last 10 and 13 of his last 20. - What happened: He did it with one play. Harvey had just 6 yards on 3 carries, but caught a 52-yard touchdown from Nix early in the third quarter and finished with 60 yards from scrimmage, 17 past the number. - Worth watching: Only 5 touches is a thin workload. This one came from a big play, so watch his snap share before going back to it.
How the game played out
Denver ran it 26 times for 159 yards, and Nix's long run was the swing play of the first half. Wil Lutz added field goals from 48, 43 and 31 yards. The Broncos were flagged 11 times for 114 yards and still won by 14. Neither team turned it over, and Arizona converted only 5 of 17 third downs.
Trends to watch
- McBride saw 13 targets. That share keeps his catches and yards props worth a look every week.
- Arizona threw 48 passes and ran it only 24 times. Brissett's passing yards line is worth checking in games where Arizona is the underdog.
- The Cardinals reached the red zone five times, scored one touchdown and turned it over on downs twice in the fourth quarter. Their team total leans on field goals until that finishing improves.
Stats are from the ESPN box score. Learn more about alt lines and totals, or see today's NFL board.
21+. Research and commentary, not a sportsbook. Past calls don't guarantee future results.