Cardinals vs. Broncos preview: Stats, history, connections and more

The Arizona Cardinals take on the Denver Broncos in Colorado today. It is clearly a big game for both teams. Denver does not want to lose a second consecutive contest to an NFC West and the Cards seek to improve to 4-0 and remain undefeated on the season.

This article is your fact sheet. Let's look at the stats of both teams, their history and the connections between the two teams.

Stats:

Arizona is averaging 22 points a game and allowing 15 per game. Denver is averaging 25 and allowing just over 22 per game.

Arizona averages just under 336 yards of offense per game. Denver averages just over 339. Arizona allows just over 316, while Denver allows over 390.

Arizona averages over 105 yards per game on the ground. Denver averages about 75. Arizona gives up under 72 yards per game on the ground. The Broncos give up over 105.

Both teams are in the positive when it comes to turnover ratio. Arizona is +2 and Denver is +1.

Neither team is a ball control team. Neither controls the ball more than their opponents. Arizona averages 29:00 and Denver 27:05.

History:

The two teams see each other a lot in the preseason, but not much in the regular season. This will be the 10th time they have played one another. Denver leads the series all-time 7-1-1. Arizona has never won in Denver and the last time they played there, it was 2002.

Arizona's only regular season win over the Broncos was in 2010, when they beat Denver 43-13.

Connections:

There is only one player on either team that played for the other. That is Cardinals long snapper Mike Leach. Before joining the Cardinals in 2009, he was a Bronco from 2002-2008.

Three Cardinals coaches/scouts -- David Diaz-Infante, Quentin Harris and Ryan Slowik -- either played for or worked for the Broncos previously.

Broncos WR coach Tyke Tolbert was the WR coach for the Cards in 2002.

Other facts and milestones:

With one touchdown pass, Peyton Manning will reach 500 for his career, which would make him only the second player to ever reach that milestone.

If the Cardinals win, Drew Stanton would become the first Cardinals QB since the merger to win his first three starts. If Stanton throws for 300 yards, he would be the first Cardinals QB to do it against the Broncos.

Larry Fitzgerald can move into a tie for 12th all time if he catches a touchdown.

Arizona has yet to allow a point in the fourth quarter this season. They have outscored their opponents 30-0 in the final quarter so far.

Antonio Cromartie has intercepted Peyton Manning four times in his career. Only two other players have done it more.