The Denver Broncos just rolled over our Seattle Seahawks, a team many of us believed was the best in the NFC. But don’t let that convince you they are unbeatable, especially when they hit the road. This so-called “AFC power” might be 4-2-0 and second in the AFC West, but their away game track record has been absolutely crushing, making their upcoming matchup way more interesting than it looks on paper. After all, the Cardinals have a one-game win streak and are desperate to salvage what was looking like another dismal season.
This AFC Powerhouse Can’t Handle the Road
Last year, Denver was the top seed in the AFC with a 14-3-0 record, even hitting an 11-game win streak. They took down the Buffalo Bills 33-30 in overtime in the divisional round before a heartbreaker, losing 10-7 to the New England Patriots in the AFC Championship Game. Yeah, they are a very good team, sitting at 4-2-0 now. But here is the thing about this exceptional AFC powerhouse: they are seriously struggling away from home.
While the Broncos are a solid 3-0 in their own stadium, they are a dismal 1-2 on the road. Denver has struggled mightily when traveling to games, and it has not been pretty. They got absolutely beaten badly by the undefeated Kansas City Chiefs, 31-10, in Kansas City. Then, another undefeated team, the San Francisco 49ers, put a 24-14 hurt on them. Against San Fran, the Broncos actually had a 17-6 lead at one point, but then their offense got completely stymied. They punted five times! QB Bo Nix was stuck with only a short passing game, with barely any intermediate passing zones, and their run game was nonexistent, finishing with just 82 rushing yards. Go back to Week 1 against the Chiefs, and it was a similar story. The first half was close, but after halftime, the game quickly got out of hand. Heading into the final quarter, it was 24-10, and again, Denver could not run the ball whatsoever, finishing with a measly 61 rushing yards. So, while the Cardinals are 0-2 at home, the Broncos are a totally different animal when they are not playing in front of their own crowd.
Cardinals Offense Needs to Stay Hot
The Broncos do boast a seriously good defense. It was their catalyst last season, and it has absolutely carried over into this year. So, the Cardinals are going to have to get creative to punch through. Good thing they have some real weapons. Cardinals TE Trey McBride leads the entire league in receptions with 49! This dude has a knack for getting open, and so far, no linebacker has been able to cover him. It is a six-game sample size, but opposing defenses just have not had an answer. Now, the Broncos are ranked #5 in passing defense this year, which means this is a tough situation for Arizona’s passing game, no doubt. But if McBride can keep doing what he does, he might just be the x-factor. Plus, Cardinals WR Michael Wilson is sitting at #11 in the league in receiving, so there is another playmaker who can make a difference.
After this home game against the Broncos, the Cardinals have an absolute gauntlet of a schedule: the Dallas Cowboys, then our own Seattle Seahawks again, the Los Angeles Rams, and the undefeated Kansas City Chiefs. If they want to pull their season out of the fire, exploiting Denver’s road struggles and unleashing their playmakers early and often is not just a good idea, it is their only shot. This game is huge for them, and it will be fascinating to see if they can capitalize on Denver’s biggest weakness.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Revenge of the Birds.
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