Kickoff: Sunday, 4:05 p.m. ET
Line: Denver -7, Total: 48.5

Two of the league’s best teams meet in the mile-high altitude on Sunday when the Cardinals visit the Broncos.

Arizona and Denver are both coming off bye weeks, which bodes well for the Broncos, who have won-and-covered in four straight games when playing after bye weeks. The Cardinals hope to get top QB Carson Palmer back from a shoulder injury, but he remains questionable, so the team may once again ride journeyman QB Drew Stanton who led his team to two victories under center. These clubs have met just five times since 1992 and the Broncos have owned this series, going 4-1 (SU and ATS) in those games. They have won-and-covered in both home games and all five meetings have finished Over the total. The Cardinals have the luxury of facing a Denver team that is just 13-27 ATS in home games off a non-conference game since 1992. However, the Broncos are 7-0 ATS after gaining 75 or les rushing yards in their previous game over the past three years.

Can the Cardinals keep the score close versus the high-powered Broncos offense? For the answer, connect to NFL Best Bets for all the StatFox Experts picks throughout the 2014 regular season and playoffs. The experts have been hot over the past two weeks, combining for a 22-9 ATS mark (71%), while going 13-5 (72%) in NFL Totals. StatFox Scott is 7-1 ATS in Best Bets during this timeframe, and 63% ATS (10-6) on the season, while StatFox Dave is 7-2 ATS in Best Bets during these two weeks to improve to 58% ATS (11-8) on the season. StatFox Brian is 10-2 (83%) in NFL Totals this season, and a profitable 53% ATS (8-7) in NFL Best Bets.

Arizona QB Drew Stanton (411 pass yards, 2 TD, 0 INT) did an excellent job his team while Carson Palmer (304 pass yards, 2 TD, 0 INT) was out with a shoulder injury. Stanton led the Cardinals to two straight wins, including a home victory over the 49ers in Week 3. Whoever starts under center need to re-establish top WR Larry Fitzgerald (10 rec, 107 yards, 0 TD), who has been disappointing this season, but he is still a big target with tons of playmaking ability. It just does not seem realistic that this offense can continue to put up points without using its best pass catcher. With Fitzgerald struggling, rookie WR John Brown (9 rec, 109 yards, 3 TD) has been the best source of touchdowns in the passing game. Brown has game-breaking speed and is a threat to score every time he catches a screen pass. RB Andre Ellington (206 rush yards, 0 TD) has run the ball well all season, but has yet to find the end zone. He could have trouble against a Broncos defense that is allowing just 105.3 yards per game on the ground (12th in NFL). The Cardinals have been great defensively to start the year, as they are allowing just 71.7 rushing yards per game (4th in NFL) and 244.7 passing yards per game (18th in NFL). But they’ll need to be extra prepared for this meeting with the Broncos’ potent offense.

Denver is coming off of a much-needed bye week after it played a grueling overtime game against the Seahawks in Week 3. The Broncos now must quickly turn their attention to one of the league’s hottest teams. Denver’s defense has been good against the run this season, but has really struggled to defend the pass. The Broncos are allowing 285.3 passing yards per game (31st in NFL) and that could be an issue as they go up against Carson Palmer and an excellent vertical passing Cardinals’ team. There’s a slight chance this game turns into a shootout, and if it does, QB Peyton Manning (814 pass yards, 8 TD, 1 INT) will need to have his offense ready. Manning has thrown for 384 yards with four touchdowns and one interception in two career meetings with the Cardinals. His team will likely need a lot more production than that to win this game. RB Montee Ball (165 rush yards, 1 TD) will need to get himself going for the Broncos soon, or he could lose his job as the starting running back. Ball is averaging just 3.4 yards per carry and that is not nearly enough playing for a team whose passing game requires so much attention by opposing defenses. Another player who has been disappointing for the Broncos is WR Demaryius Thomas (13 rec, 141 yards, 1 TD). Thomas has had at least 1,400 yards and double-digit touchdowns in his first two seasons with Manning as his quarterback, and has not looked like the same receiver this season.