Arizona Cardinals vs Denver Broncos does not come around often. The two franchises have met just 12 times since 1973, and this week the schedule brings them together again. Kickoff is set for Sunday, October 25, 2026, at 4:05 p.m. ET (1:35 a.m. IST on Monday) at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, with CBS holding the national broadcast. Arizona is the home team in this Week 7 game, and it badly needs a win at home.
The Broncos arrive at 4-2 with one of the league’s best defenses and one of its weakest offenses, and they just outlasted the defending champion Seattle Seahawks 17-14 in overtime on Thursday night, October 15. The Cardinals sit at 2-4 after a stunning 18-16 upset of the Los Angeles Rams last Sunday, when kicker Chad Ryland drilled a 43-yard field goal as time expired. Denver is a modest road favorite, but anyone who has followed Arizona Cardinals vs Denver Broncos matches over the years knows the series has been lopsided. The Broncos lead 10-1-1 all-time and have won the last three meetings, and Arizona Cardinals vs Denver Broncos matches have rarely been close.
Arizona Cardinals: A New Coach, a Rough Stretch and a Statement in Los Angeles
Arizona entered 2026 coming off an injury-riddled three-win season and with a brand-new coaching staff. Few people expected much. Then rookie head coach Mike LaFleur, a former offensive coordinator under Sean McVay, opened his tenure with a 26-14 win at the Los Angeles Chargers. It made LaFleur the first Cardinals coach to win his debut since Don Coryell in 1973, and the Cardinals did it as the biggest underdog on the Week 1 board.
What followed was a hard lesson. Arizona lost four straight, falling 31-7 to Seattle at home, 36-30 at San Francisco, 36-24 at the New York Giants and 45-21 at home to Detroit. That last game was the franchise-record ninth consecutive home loss, and the defense gave up 148 points over those four games. By the time the Cardinals traveled to SoFi Stadium for Week 6, almost nobody gave them a chance against a Rams team that led the NFL in total offense.
They won anyway. Jacoby Brissett threw for 218 yards, the defense held Los Angeles to 286 yards, and Ryland went a perfect six for six on field goals, capped by the 43-yarder at the gun for an 18-16 win. Linebacker Cody Simon forced a key fumble late in the fourth quarter, and Zonovan Knight ran for 80 yards on 15 carries with rookie Jeremiyah Love sidelined by an ankle injury. It was the kind of grind-it-out result that can change how a locker room sees itself.
What Makes Arizona’s Offense Tick
- Jacoby Brissett steers the offense. He threw for 277 yards in the opener, 292 yards and three touchdowns against Detroit, and 218 yards against the Rams. He is steady rather than spectacular, and the Cardinals have stayed with him even as backup Carson Beck, a rookie, waits behind him.
- Trey McBride is the top target. The tight end caught seven of nine targets for 53 yards against the Rams and has been the go-to option since the team parted ways with Marvin Harrison Jr.
- A committee backfield. Love, the No. 3 overall pick out of Notre Dame, has 245 rushing yards and a touchdown in five games, but he is out again this week. Knight and Tyler Allgeier will share the work.
- A defense still learning. Arizona has allowed 23 touchdowns, more than any team in the league, and ranks 28th in yards per play allowed. Safety Budda Baker and linebacker Josh Sweat anchor a group that is trying to string together a full 60 minutes.
- A kicker on a roll. Ryland made all six of his field goals in Los Angeles and kept the Cardinals alive in a game where they never reached the end zone.
Arizona Cardinals Snapshot
| Detail | Arizona Cardinals |
| Division | NFC West |
| Head coach | Mike LaFleur (1st season) |
| Starting QB this week | Jacoby Brissett |
| 2025 record | Three wins (injury-riddled season) |
| Identity | Rebuilding roster, balanced offense, leaky defense |
| Recent form | 2-4 overall, beat the Rams 18-16 last week |
| 2026 season start | Beat Chargers 26-14 (Wk 1), lost to Seattle 31-7 (Wk 2), lost at San Francisco 36-30 (Wk 3), lost at Giants 36-24 (Wk 4), lost to Detroit 45-21 (Wk 5), beat Rams 18-16 (Wk 6) |
The Arizona Cardinals standings still look rough at 2-4, though the win over Los Angeles moved the team into third place in the NFC West. The point differential tells the real story: Arizona has scored 126 points and allowed 178, a minus-52 margin that is among the worst in the league.
Denver Broncos: Elite Defense, Anemic Offense
Denver is the strangest 4-2 team in the NFL, and the Denver Broncos games this season have been tight, low-scoring grinds. The Broncos won 14 regular-season games and the AFC West in 2025, then reached the AFC Championship Game, and they opened 2026 with one of the toughest six-week stretches in the league. They have survived it largely because of their defense.
The year started with a 31-10 loss at the Kansas City Chiefs on Monday Night Football. Denver then beat Jacksonville 20-13 and held off the Rams 30-26 on Sunday Night Football after overcoming a 16-point halftime deficit. A 24-14 loss at San Francisco followed, and then a 23-17 win over a winless Chargers team in which Bo Nix threw for only 123 yards. Last Thursday, the Broncos beat Seattle 17-14 in overtime on a 53-yard Wil Lutz field goal despite managing just 168 total yards and three first downs through much of the night. The defense sacked Sam Darnold five times, hit him 17 times and intercepted him twice.
That win extended a remarkable streak. Denver has now won 14 straight one-score games in the regular season, and head coach Sean Payton admitted afterward that 4-2 could easily be 2-4. The Broncos know the offense has to improve, but the formula so far has been simple: defend, avoid mistakes and win the close ones.
What Makes Denver’s Offense and Defense Tick
- Bo Nix is the biggest question mark. He has completed 60.3 percent of his passes for 1,049 yards, six touchdowns and three interceptions, averaging just 5.6 yards per attempt. He has thrown for fewer than 200 yards in four of six games, and he has been frank about the lack of explosive plays.
- The run game carries the load. J.K. Dobbins and R.J. Harvey both scored last week, and rookie Jonah Coleman is questionable with an ankle injury.
- Veteran pass catchers. Courtland Sutton, Evan Engram and Jaylen Waddle give Nix reliable targets, though the offense ranks 29th in success rate and 31st in yards per play.
- A defense that creates takeaways. Denver has forced 10 turnovers and allows just 5.0 yards per play. Edge rusher Nik Bonitto and cornerbacks Ja’Quan McMillian and Kris Abrams-Draine made the biggest plays against Seattle, and coordinator Vance Joseph has kept the unit near the top of the league even with injuries.
- Pat Surtain II is the wild card. The star cornerback missed the last two games and is questionable after limited practices all week.
Denver Broncos Snapshot
| Detail | Denver Broncos |
| Division | AFC West |
| Head coach | Sean Payton |
| Defensive coordinator | Vance Joseph |
| Starting QB this week | Bo Nix |
| 2025 record | 14-3 (AFC West champions) |
| Identity | Top-10 defense, struggling passing game |
| Recent form | 4-2 overall, won four of the last five |
| 2026 season start | Lost at Kansas City 31-10 (Wk 1), beat Jacksonville 20-13 (Wk 2), beat Rams 30-26 (Wk 3), lost at San Francisco 24-14 (Wk 4), beat Chargers 23-17 (Wk 5), beat Seattle 17-14 in OT (Wk 6) |
The Denver Broncos standings look strong on paper at 4-2, but the scoring margin is minus-11 (114 points for, 125 against). Denver has won all three home games this season and is 1-2 on the road, which is worth remembering as the team heads to Arizona.
NFL Schedule This Week
Sunday’s Broncos vs Cardinals game kicks off at 4:05 p.m. ET at State Farm Stadium and airs on CBS. It is a chance for Arizona to end a franchise-record home losing streak. The Arizona Cardinals schedule gets only harder after this one, while the Denver Broncos schedule opens up a little with a home date against Kansas City.
| Team | Next Matchup | Date | Location |
| Arizona Cardinals | at Dallas Cowboys (Wk 8) | Nov 1 | Away |
| Denver Broncos | vs. Kansas City Chiefs (Wk 8) | Nov 1 | Home |
After the Chiefs, the Denver Broncos games ahead include a trip to Carolina on November 8 and a bye in Week 10. The Cardinals follow the Cowboys with a road game at Seattle on November 8 and a home date with the Rams on November 15. Both clubs know a loss on Sunday would put real pressure on the rest of the schedule, and the Arizona Cardinals schedule leaves little room for another slip.
Head-to-Head History: The Full Timeline
The series began with a tie in St. Louis in 1973, back when the Cardinals still called Missouri home. Sunday’s game will be the 13th meeting between the franchises, and the Broncos hold a commanding 10-1-1 edge. Looking at all past Arizona Cardinals vs Denver Broncos matches, only one has gone Arizona’s way.
| Date | Winner | Location | Score | Notes |
| 12/18/2022 | Broncos | Denver | 24-15 | Brett Rypien leads a rally; Latavius Murray rushes for 130 yards |
| 10/18/2018 | Broncos | Glendale, AZ | 45-10 | Thursday night blowout with Case Keenum at quarterback |
| 10/05/2014 | Broncos | Denver | 41-20 | Denver bounces back after the 2010 loss |
| 12/12/2010 | Cardinals | Glendale, AZ | 43-13 | The only Arizona win, ending a seven-game Denver streak |
| 12/17/2006 | Broncos | Glendale, AZ | 37-20 | Seventh straight Denver win in the series |
| 1973 | Tie | St. Louis | Tie | First meeting between the teams |
The Broncos have won the last three meetings by a combined 110-45, and they have never lost to Arizona in Denver. The Cardinals’ only win in the series came more than 15 years ago.
A Few Things Worth Pointing Out
- Arizona’s lone victory came on December 12, 2010, a 43-13 win at home. Since then, Denver has taken all three meetings.
- Denver coordinator Vance Joseph has history on both sidelines. He coached the Broncos from 2017 to 2018, then served as the Cardinals’ defensive coordinator before returning to Denver to run the defense.
- Tight end Trey McBride, a Colorado native, played his first NFL game in his home state against these Broncos in 2022. He is now Arizona’s top weapon.
- The 2026 meeting is the first at State Farm Stadium since Denver’s 45-10 rout in 2018.
Arizona Cardinals vs Denver Broncos: A Short but One-Sided History
Part of what makes this game interesting is how rarely it happens. The Arizona Cardinals vs Denver Broncos series has seen only 12 games in more than five decades, and the results have rarely been close. The teams played to a tie in their first meeting in 1973, then Denver took control.
Three Eras of the Series
Era 1: The St. Louis years (1973). The teams tied in their first meeting, with the Cardinals still playing in Missouri.
Era 2: Denver’s streak (1977 to 2006). The Broncos won seven straight games in the series between 1977 and December 2006, the longest streak either team has had.
Era 3: The modern meetings (2010 to present). Arizona stunned Denver 43-13 in 2010 to end the streak, but the Broncos have won all three games since, including 41-20 in 2014, 45-10 in 2018 and 24-15 in 2022.
The Last Time These Two Teams Met: Broncos 24, Cardinals 15 (Dec. 18, 2022)
The last of the Arizona Cardinals vs Denver Broncos matches was a messy one. Both teams entered at 4-10, and both were playing backup quarterbacks. Kyler Murray was out for the year with a torn ACL, and Russell Wilson was held out for Denver, so Brett Rypien made his third career start. Arizona led 9-3 early thanks to a J.J. Watt-led pass rush that pressured Rypien all afternoon, but the Broncos turned things around in the second half.
Latavius Murray ran for 130 yards and a touchdown, Marlon Mack added a rushing score, and Rypien hit tight end Eric Tomlinson with a short touchdown pass to make it 24-9. Safety Justin Simmons picked off two passes, one from Colt McCoy in the first quarter and another from Trace McSorley in the fourth. McCoy left in the third quarter with a concussion, and McSorley threw two interceptions in relief before James Conner scored late to cut the lead to 24-15. The win ended Denver’s five-game losing streak.
Key Performers
- Passing: Rypien (DEN) completed 21 of 26 passes for 197 yards and a touchdown. McCoy (ARI) went 13 of 21 for just 78 yards.
- Rushing: Murray (DEN) ran for 130 yards on 24 carries and a touchdown. Conner (ARI) scored from a yard out.
- Defense: Simmons (DEN) intercepted two passes. DeShawn Williams was credited with 2.5 sacks.
Nearly four years later, only a few names remain. McBride is still with Arizona and Joseph is still coaching in Denver, but almost everyone else has changed.
Where Both Teams Stand Entering Sunday’s Game
On paper, the two clubs look like opposites. Denver wins with defense and Arizona can score a little, but neither side has been consistent. Both the Arizona Cardinals standings and the Denver Broncos standings could shift by Monday morning. Before the numbers below, here is a quick snapshot of the Arizona Cardinals vs Denver Broncos match player stats and team trends heading into kickoff.
| Stat | Arizona Cardinals | Denver Broncos |
| Record | 2-4 | 4-2 |
| Points Per Game | 21.0 | 19.0 |
| Points Allowed Per Game | 29.7 | 20.8 |
| Point differential | Minus-52 | Minus-11 |
| Offense (EPA/play) | 15th in NFL | 24th in NFL |
| Defense (EPA/play) | 29th in NFL | 9th in NFL |
| Against the spread | 3-3 | 4-2 |
| Over/under trend | Over 3-3 | Under 5-1 |
| Current betting line | Cardinals +4.5 | Broncos -4.5 |
Points per game calculated from scoring totals through six weeks.
The Arizona Cardinals vs Denver Broncos stats show a clear mismatch in one area. Arizona ranks 28th in yards per play allowed, while Denver is giving up just 5.0 yards per play and ranks ninth in both EPA per play and success rate. On the other side, the Broncos’ offense is 31st in yards per play and 29th in success rate, and only the banged-up Philadelphia Eagles average fewer yards per play. The Arizona Cardinals vs Denver Broncos stats also hint at a low-scoring afternoon. The under has hit in five of Denver’s six games, and the Broncos have scored 23 points or fewer in five of them.
The Arizona Cardinals vs Denver Broncos match player stats also show how lopsided the injuries are. Arizona is without Love, defensive tackle Walter Nolen III, safety Andrew Wingard and guard Jon Gaines II, while Denver is without safety Talanoa Hufanga and edge rusher Jonah Elliss. That detail matters more than any single number on the page.
Top Players to Watch in Broncos vs Cardinals
The Arizona Cardinals vs Denver Broncos stats for these players explain why this game could turn on a handful of plays.
Denver Broncos
- Bo Nix, QB: He has struggled to push the ball downfield, but this is a get-right matchup against a defense that ranks 29th in EPA per play. If he makes a few vertical throws, Denver could finally open up.
- J.K. Dobbins, RB: He has scored in back-to-back games and leads a run game that has carried the team through slow passing days.
- Nik Bonitto, EDGE: He punched the ball loose from Seattle’s Rashid Shaheed and keeps pressuring quarterbacks. Brissett will see him often.
- Ja’Quan McMillian, CB: His overtime interception set up the game-winning field goal against Seattle.
- Pat Surtain II, CB: If he plays, he gives Denver a shutdown option against Trey McBride and Arizona’s receivers.
Arizona Cardinals
- Jacoby Brissett, QB: He has a 292-yard, three-touchdown day on his resume this season and threw just one interception against the Rams.
- Trey McBride, TE: The focal point of the passing game and a Colorado native who has always played well against Denver.
- Zonovan Knight, RB: He ran for 80 yards against the Rams and will see a bigger role with Love out.
- Budda Baker, S: The veteran leader of the defense is questionable with a groin issue and illness, but he practiced Friday.
- Chad Ryland, K: Six field goals in one game last week. In a low-scoring contest, his leg could decide it.
Coaching Matchup: Payton vs. LaFleur
Neither coach is relaxed this week. Payton has a team that keeps winning close games without much offense, and he knows the margin for error is thin. LaFleur has a team that just proved it can compete, but he is still trying to fix a defense that has allowed more than 29 points a game.
| Factor | Denver (Payton) | Arizona (LaFleur) |
| Experience level | Veteran head coach | 1st season as head coach |
| 2025 result | 14-3, AFC West champions | Three wins |
| 2026 record | 4-2 | 2-4 |
| Quarterback situation | Bo Nix, struggling | Jacoby Brissett, steady |
| Defensive identity | Top-10 unit, takeaway machine | Allowing the most touchdowns in the NFL |
| Key storyline | Can the offense wake up? | Can the home losing streak end? |
Both men know their standing depends on more than one Sunday in October, but a win here would carry real weight in the standings.
Injury Report: Who Is In and Who Is Out
Friday’s final injury reports shaped much of the week.
Denver Broncos: Running back Tyler Badie (thumb), outside linebacker Jonah Elliss (ankle) and safety Talanoa Hufanga (ankle) are out. Cornerback Pat Surtain II (ankle) and running back Jonah Coleman (ankle) are questionable. Cornerback Riley Moss is back after missing time.
Arizona Cardinals: Running back Jeremiyah Love (ankle), defensive tackle Walter Nolen III (ankle), safety Andrew Wingard (knee) and guard Jon Gaines II (knee/ankle) are out. Safety Budda Baker (groin/illness), cornerback Max Melton (knee), defensive lineman Darius Robinson (back) and quarterback Carson Beck (back) are questionable. Running back James Conner and tackle Paris Johnson are on injured reserve.
Betting Angle: What the Odds Say
The Broncos opened as a 4.5-point road favorite, and DraftKings listed them at minus-4.5 with moneylines of Broncos -238 and Cardinals +195 and a total of 43.5. Denver is 4-2 against the spread and 1-2 against it on the road, while Arizona is 3-3 against the spread overall and 0-2 against it at home. Some books have posted wider spreads at times this week, so it is worth checking the live number.
The market sees a game where Denver’s defense is the main factor. Arizona has scored 21 or fewer points in three of six games, and Denver has allowed 17 or fewer in three of six. Anyone leaning on the Arizona Cardinals vs Denver Broncos match player stats should weigh Denver’s defense against Arizona’s thin lineup, and Arizona’s defensive struggles against a Denver offense that rarely takes advantage of them.
Prediction: Broncos 23, Cardinals 17
This is a hard game to call, and both teams have real flaws. Still, Denver has the edge. The Broncos’ defense has been elite in recent weeks, Arizona is missing its top running back and a starting defensive tackle, and the Cardinals have lost nine straight home games, a franchise record. Denver has also never lost to Arizona at home, and it has won each of the last three meetings.
That said, Denver’s offense is genuinely poor, and Arizona just proved last week that it can win a low-scoring game on the road. If Surtain sits, Brissett and McBride may find room to work. The most likely outcome is a grind: a defense-heavy afternoon in which the Broncos make one or two more plays and the total stays under 43.5. The Arizona Cardinals vs Denver Broncos stats point toward a low-scoring finish. My projection: Broncos 23, Cardinals 17. This is analysis, not betting advice, so check the final inactives list about 90 minutes before kickoff.
Where to Watch Arizona Cardinals vs Denver Broncos
If you are wondering where to watch Arizona Cardinals vs Denver Broncos, here is the full breakdown.
- Date: Sunday, October 25, 2026
- Kickoff: 4:05 p.m. ET / 3:05 p.m. CT / 2:05 p.m. MT / 1:05 p.m. PT (Arizona time) / 8:05 p.m. GMT / 1:35 a.m. IST (Monday)
- Location: State Farm Stadium, Glendale, Arizona
- TV (U.S.): CBS (regional broadcast)
- Streaming (U.S.): Paramount+, NFL+ on mobile, and live TV services such as Fubo, YouTube TV and DirecTV Stream
- Outside the U.S.: DAZN for NFL Game Pass subscribers, and Sky Sports in the United Kingdom
- Highlights: NFL.com and the league’s social channels post recaps within minutes of the final whistle
Fans who miss the live broadcast should find Broncos vs Cardinals highlights online almost right away, and the best Broncos vs Cardinals highlights will likely include Denver’s takeaways and any late Ryland field goals.
What’s Next for Both Teams
Denver’s focus after this game is simple: keep winning. The Denver Broncos schedule offers a home date with Kansas City next. The Broncos host the Chiefs on November 1, visit Carolina on November 8 and then head into their Week 10 bye. A win on Sunday would give them five wins in six games and a little more breathing room before another tough divisional matchup.
Arizona needs this one more, and the next Arizona Cardinals games are on the road. The Cardinals travel to Dallas on November 1, go to Seattle on November 8 and host the Rams on November 15. A win would give them back-to-back victories for the first time all season and finally end the home losing streak. A loss would drop them to 2-5 and raise real questions about how much the Los Angeles upset was worth.
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Quick FAQs
Denver, 10-1-1 across 12 meetings since 1973.
December 18, 2022, when the Broncos beat the Cardinals 24-15 in Denver.
December 12, 2010, a 43-13 win at home.
Kickoff is 4:05 p.m. ET (1:05 p.m. in Arizona) at State Farm Stadium.
The game airs on CBS and streams on Paramount+ and NFL+ in the United States, and DAZN carries it for NFL Game Pass subscribers in most international markets.
The full box score will be posted on NFL.com and ESPN right after the game.
No. Love has been ruled out with an ankle injury.
He is questionable after missing the last two games, so check the inactives list before kickoff.
The Broncos are favored by about 4.5 points at most sportsbooks, with the total around 43.5.
Whether Arizona can end its nine-game home losing streak against a Denver defense that has made close wins routine.
Source: NFL
