Arizona Cardinals (3-0) at Denver Broncos (2-1)

Sunday, 4:05 p.m. ET, at Sports Authority Field at Mile High, Denver – TV: FOX

*TV announcers: Joe Buck, Troy Aikman, Erin Andrews

*Keys to the game: QB Drew Stanton played with far more confidence in his second start and is again expected to take the call in place of Carson Palmer (shoulder), but this still isn’t a game the Cardinals want to place on Stanton’s arm. A shootout against Peyton Manning isn’t in Arizona’s best interest and the team believes it has its best offensive line in years. Look for RB Andre Ellington to get plenty of touches as the Cardinals attempt to control the ball and the tempo and string together lengthy drives. Stanton has yet to throw an interception in 62 pass attempts this season.

Denver’s offense is certainly still potent, but Manning is also still building chemistry with a few new components as the Broncos are just 23rd in the league with 339.3 yards per game. The primary issue has been a ground game averaging just 3.2 yards per carry. RB Montee Ball is at 3.4 yards per carry, with a long of 23. The Cardinals remain thinned by injuries on defense but if they can keep Denver one-dimension then Arizona stands a good chance to take the game into the fourth quarter.

OFFICIAL FRIDAY INJURY REPORT

ARIZONA CARDINALS

–Out: LB Glenn Carson (ankle), QB Carson Palmer (right shoulder)

–Questionable: G Paul Fanaika (knee)

–Probable: RB Andre Ellington (foot), TE Rob Housler (hip), LB Alex Okafor (thigh), CB Patrick Peterson (illness), DT Frostee Rucker (calf), P Dave Zastudil (left groin)

Practice Report

DENVER BRONCOS

–Questionable: S David Bruton (ankle), LB Lerentee McCray (knee)

–Probable: S Quinton Carter (knee), TE Virgil Green (concussion), K Brandon McManus (right groin), LB Danny Trevathan (knee), G Louis Vasquez (rib cage)

*Matchup to watch – Cardinals OTs Jared Veldheer and Bobbie Massie vs. Broncos pass rushers DeMarcus Ware and Von Miller: This is easily the biggest test to date for Arizona’s new starters. The Cardinals can’t provide double-teams against both, and Ware and Miller have spearheaded a vastly improved Broncos pass rush through three games.

*Player spotlight – Broncos WLB Danny Trevathan: Denver will have its projected starting 11 on defense for the first time this season with Trevathan returning from a left tibial impaction fracture below his knee.

*Fast facts: The Cardinals are 10-2 in their past 12 games and have a five-game winning streak against the AFC. … Manning needs one touchdown to reach 500 for his career and nine to tie Brett Favre for the most in NFL history. Said Cardinals coach Bruce Arians. “If he gets nine, I’m not getting on the plane. I’ll give him one.”

WHO WILL WIN AND WHY

The Cardinals make the short trek to Denver for the first time in 12 years. Arizona has three quality wins on the season, but its injury-thinned defense has yet to face an elite offense revving in mid-season form.

*Our pick: Broncos 27-23