Aug 29, 2013; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning (18) and Arizona Cardinals kicker Jay Feely (3) shake hands following the preseason game at Sports Authority Field. The Cardinals defeated the Broncos 32-24. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
The Arizona Cardinals are seven point underdogs this Sunday as they go face the Denver Broncos in Denver. That that Cards are underdogs is not a surprise. It really isn’t a surprise either that it is a seven point spread even given the Cards 3-0 start. This is in Denver against Peyton Manning. That in itself should immediately make you an underdog. What you may like to hear though is the Cards can overcome it.
I know most people will call me crazy for even giving the Cards a chance on Sunday, especially given the fact it appears Cards quarterback Carson Palmer is going to miss his third straight game in favor of Drew Stanton. For the record I have predicted a loss for the Cards but that doesn’t mean I don’t think they have a chance to win. A lot has to go right for the Cards and some things have to go wrong for the Broncos.
Thanks to the good people at Predictionmachine.com (@predictmachine) they have provided us with a statistic that I found quite interesting when it comes to Manning and the Broncos as favorites. Since 2012, when the Peyton Manning era began in Denver, the Broncos are 13-7 when they are favored by seven or more points. So they can be beaten. Doesn’t mean they will, just that they can.
It is something to think about. It may not mean much to some but at this point you have to look at all the possible positives going into Denver without your starting quarterback in a game that already appeared daunting with your starting quarterback.