Free NFL Picks Today: Denver Broncos vs Arizona Cardinals 12/18/22

Free NFL Picks Today: Denver Broncos vs Arizona Cardinals 12/18/22
Sun 18th December 2022

Both teams will be hoping to end losing runs when the Denver Broncos (3-10, 2-4 Home) host the Arizona Cardinals (4-9, 3-2 Away) at Empower Field at Mile High on Sunday. The Broncos are three-point favorites, and the total is 37.

Arizona is coming off a 27-13 loss to the New England Patriots at State Farm Stadium on Monday, their third straight defeat. Colt McCoy was 27 of 40 for 246 yards and an interception. James Conner ran 15 times for 85 yards and a touchdown. DeAndre Hopkins was targeted 11 times, catching seven passes for 79 yards.

Denver dropped a fifth straight game last Sunday, falling 34-28 to the Kansas City Chiefs at Empower Field at Mile High. Russell Wilson threw for 263 yards, three touchdowns, and an interception. He added 57 yards on the ground. Jerry Jeudy had three TDs. He was targeted nine times, hauling in eight receptions for 73 yards.

HEAD-TO-HEAD

The teams are meeting in the regular season for the first time since October 2018, a 45-10 win for the Broncos.

TALE OF THE TAPE

The Cardinals are averaging 21.3 points per game for the season, 17th in the NFL, and they are facing a Broncos defense that has surrendered 18.3 PPG (4th). Meanwhile, Denver has scored 14.9 points a game this season, worst in the league, and Arizona is allowing 26.8 PPG (32nd).

The Cardinals rank 16th in the league in passing yards per game (241.6) and 17th in rushing (114.8), while the Broncos are seventh in passing yards allowed per game (214.6) and 17th against the run (117.7).

Denver is 19th in the league in passing yards per game (234.3) and 25th in rushing (103.2), while the Cardinals are allowing 258.2 passing yards (23rd) and 110.2 rushing yards per game (8th).

Arizona is averaging 2.8 trips to the red zone a game this season, fourth lowest in the NFL, finding the end zone 60% of the time (11th). The Cardinals may struggle to improve on those numbers against the league’s best red zone defense, as the Broncos have allowed opponents to score on only 36% of red zone trips.

Denver ranks as one of the weakest red zone threats in the league, moving inside the 20-yard-line only 2.1 times per game (33rd) and scoring a touchdown on just 44% of those possessions (30th). Arizona has had difficulty defending their own red zone, allowing opponents to find the end zone 67% of the time (31st).

TOP PERFORMERS

Through 11 games, Kyler Murray has thrown for 14 touchdowns (7 INT) and 215.3 yards per game to lead Arizona in passing. In four away games this season, he has six TDs (5 INT) and an average of 258.0 yards passing.

James Conner leads the team in rushing with an average of 56.1 yards a game over 10 games. He has five touchdowns on the ground. DeAndre Hopkins is the Cardinals’ leading receiver with 93.3 yards a game and three TDs. He is averaging 8.0 receptions on 10.7 targets per game.

Russell Wilson has 11 passing touchdowns (6 INT) with 233.8 yards per game through 12 games to lead Denver. In five home games this season, he has thrown for four TDs (4 INT) and an average of 234.2 yards.

Latavius Murray has been the home team’s leading performer on the ground, averaging 48.6 yards a game through nine games. He has four touchdowns. Courtland Sutton has been the primary target in the Broncos’ aerial attack.

He has one touchdown and a 57.3 yard per game average through 12 appearances. Courtland Sutton is averaging 7.4 targets per game (4.3 receptions).

HOME AND AWAY

Denver is looking to avoid a fifth consecutive loss at home this season.

SportsTips’ NFL Pick:

Denver Broncos (-125)

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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.

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