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Arizona Cardinals vs. Denver Broncos: 5 Bold Predictions For Week 5 Game

5 Bold Predictions for Cardinals vs. Broncos Week 5 Game

Cardinals vs. Broncos
Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

After Week 4 of the 2014 NFL season, the Arizona Cardinals are 3-0 and the Denver Broncos are 2-1. Both teams are working to win what could be tough divisions (NFC West and AFC West, respectively) and each are coming off a bye before their Week 5 matchup. Here are five bold predictions for when the Cardinals and Broncos play on Sunday.

5. WR Larry Fitzgerald Will Have Over 100 Yards Receiving and a TD

Cardinals vs. Broncos
Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

5. WR Larry Fitzgerald Will Have Over 100 Yards Receiving and a TD

Cardinals vs. Broncos
Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Fitzgerald is in his 11th season in the NFL, and through three games this season he has only 10 receptions on 21 targets for 107 yards. That’s not vintage Fitzgerald. In Week 1 he wasn’t even targeted through the first three quarters and finished with only one catch. He’s averaging just over three receptions per game this season. That’ll change in Week 5. Fitzgerald is still one of the best WRs in the NFL, and he’ll prove it in Denver.

4. Denver Will Give Up Over 300 Yards Passing

Cardinals vs. Broncos
Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

4. Denver Will Give Up Over 300 Yards Passing

Cardinals vs. Broncos
Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Denver has only allowed 300 yards through the air once this season (Andrew Luck in Week 1), but the Broncos are ranked 31st against the pass, giving up 285.3 yards per game. Whether Carson Palmer starts and can play the entire game (suffered shoulder nerve damage Week 1) or Drew Stanton plays in his place again, there’s a good chance the Broncos' defense gets torched by one or both QBs of the Cardinals.

3. RB Andre Ellington Will Have Over 100 Yards Rushing

Cardinals vs. Broncos
Don McPeak-USA TODAY Sports

3. RB Andre Ellington Will Have Over 100 Yards Rushing

Cardinals vs. Broncos
Don McPeak-USA TODAY Sports

In his second season in the NFL, Ellington is averaging 4.5 yards per carry, gaining 206 yards on 46 carries. Denver is 12th against the run, giving up 105.3 yards per game on the ground. Ellington has been playing through a torn muscle in his foot, and he is averaging 68.6 yards per game this season. Reportedly he cannot further injure his foot by playing, so look for him to have a big day and get more than the 17 carries he’s been averaging.

2. Denver Will Go To OT For Second Straight Game

Cardinals vs. Broncos
Steven Bisig-USA TODAY Sports

2. Denver Will Go To OT For Second Straight Game

Cardinals vs. Broncos
Steven Bisig-USA TODAY Sports

This season the Broncos’ first three games have been decided by an average of 6.6 points, including a 26-20 OT loss at Seattle in Week 3. The Cardinals’ have won their first three games of the season by an average of seven points. Look for both teams to try to air it out and try to go after points. It will be a tight game that could easily have the Broncos in OT again.

1. Cardinals Will Stay Undefeated As Broncos Lose 2nd Straight

Cardinals vs. Broncos
Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

1. Cardinals Will Stay Undefeated As Broncos Lose 2nd Straight

Cardinals vs. Broncos
Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Denver lost three games last season (at Indianapolis, at New England in OT and to San Diego), but none of their losses were back-to-back. This season the Broncos won’t get past Week 5 before they lose two in a row. The Cardinals are a complete football team, and their defense is impressive, especially considering the injuries and suspensions they have had to deal with. Peyton Manning and company will have a tough task ahead of them on Sunday.

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