The Denver Broncos (4-2) return to the field after a 10-day layoff this Sunday to face the Arizona Cardinals (2-4) for just the 13th time in a regular season game. The Broncos lead that all-time series 10-1-1, with the only time the Cardinals beat the Broncos coming back in December 2010.
Following the brutal six-game gauntlet the Broncos faced to begin the season, this was the matchup fans circled as the point where things would start to get easier. However, the Cardinals just beat the Los Angeles Rams on the road last Sunday and should not be overlooked.
The Broncos were sluggish on the offensive side of the ball in their last game and despite defeating the Seattle Seahawks in that matchup, the poor play of Bo Nix in that game has dominated headlines. Fans will be looking for his play to be much better against Arizona, but the key factors in this game will be when the Broncos are on defense, as that is how they have been winning games to this point.
Broncos vs. Cardinals key Week 7 matchups
1. Broncos' defensive front vs. Arizona running backs
The Cardinals don't have a lot of playmakers on offense, and there is a good chance that first-round pick Jeremiyah Love, one of the top young running backs in the league, won't be available, having not practiced this week. That will leave Tyler Allgeier and Zonovan Knight to lead the Cardinals' rushing attack, and that combination gained 118 yards on 33 carries last week against the Rams.
The Broncos will need to set the tone and handle these guys like the No. 2 and No. 3 running backs that they are. Zach Allen and D.J. Jones need to lead that charge, shutting the running game down and forcing the Cardinals to become one-dimensional against one of the league's best secondaries, similar to what worked against Seattle.
2. Brandon Jones vs. Trey McBride
After missing last week's game with an ankle injury, Broncos safety Talanoa Hufanga has not practiced this week and will likely be out of the lineup again. Cardinals tight end Trey McBride is easily Arizona's top offensive weapon, and the Broncos' struggles with defending tight ends, particularly by the inside linebacker position, are well documented.
Dallas Cowboys wide receiver CeeDee Lamb and Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba are the only players in the league who have seen more than McBride's 65 targets in the passing game through the first six weeks of the season. Jacoby Brissett is going to give him plenty of chances, and the Broncos are going to have to show that they can keep him in check.
Brandon Jones needs to be prepared to help Alex Singleton and Justin Strnad against one of the best tight ends in the NFL.
3. Riley Moss or Jahdae Barron vs. Michael Wilson
After trading Marvin Harrison Jr. to the Houston Texans, the Cardinals are led by Michael Wilson on the depth chart at wide receiver. He should draw the Broncos' No. 1 cornerback in this game, but it remains to be seen who that will be, as Pat Surtain II might be unavailable again. There is a chance PS2 plays this week, but it seems more likely to happen next week.
Sorry for an earlier post on Patrick Surtain II, TNF has my brain screwed up. Feels like Denver played forever ago. To make it clear, Surtain's return is most likely slated for the Chiefs next week. This week seems be a tough. We'll see how the week goes though. But next week…
— James Palmer (@JamesPalmerTV) October 21, 2026
Moss returned to the lineup last week after suffering a rib injury that forced him to miss one game, but he only played sparingly. After practicing in full so far this week, he should see much more action on Sunday. That said, the Broncos could still put their second-year cornerback on the side where Wilson is. Either way, they will need to be ready to slow him down.
If the Broncos get the better of each of these three matchups, it could be one of those games where a win would follow even with another sloppy offensive outing.
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This article originally appeared on Broncos Wire: 3 matchups to watch when Broncos face Cardinals in Week 7