TEMPE, Ariz. -- Denver quarterback Peyton Manning presents a host of challenges for defenses and coaching staffs, but the greatest may be his ability to take their minds off their task.
"You can get paralysis through analysis," said Cardinals coach Bruce Arians, who was the Colts quarterbacks coach from 1998-2000 for Manning's first three NFL seasons in Indianapolis. "You just have to play the game; don't get caught up with his gyrations and all the things that are going on because he's good at it. He's really good at it, especially at home."
The Cardinals are confident in the game plan they built for this marquee matchup in the mile-high city. They believe they're equipped to deal with the improved speed of the Broncos defense, Manning's dink and dunk tendencies, Denver's altitude and the electric atmosphere of Sports Authority Field.
But they also know Manning can turn all those plans into toilet paper in a hurry with his ability to read defenses, make adjustments and do it all in a fraction of the time it takes most QBs.
"You don't have to overly disguise your defense but you try not to tip your hand," said linebacker Larry Foote, who faced Manning a number of times while with the Steelers. "You can't get caught up in what he's saying and his actions and all that Omaha stuff. Under five seconds is when you start getting to your assignment but before that you have to show him something different."
Just as important, the Cardinals have to pressure Manning regularly because disguising will only go so far.
"He knows what he wants vs. every coverage," Arians said. "You can try to disguise as much as you want but he's going to find them out sooner or later. Just like blitzes, you'll hit him with some new blitzes and he'll figure out how to protect them. That's his greatness: his cerebral-ness in the game."
When Arians worked with Manning, he was struck most by Manning's thirst for knowledge and his ability to digest it quickly. That's what earned Manning the nickname: The Piranha.
"If you had an hour-and-a-half meeting scheduled with him you'd better have two and a half hours worth of material because he's going to eat through it so fast and be able to give it back to you," Arians said. "The other poor quarterbacks, they're still writing the first two or three sentences down."
Arians remembers how devoted Manning was during game weeks.
"Thursday nights, he decided he was going to stay in there with (backup QB) Kelly Holcombe," Arians said. "I've never left the office before a player. It was like 9:30. I said, 'Here's my cell phone number, man. Call me if you guys have any questions. I'm going home.'"
CARDINALS (3-0) at BRONCOS (2-1)
When: 1:05 p.m. Sunday
Where: Sports Authority Field at Mile High, Dever
TV: FOX, Ch. 10 (Joe Buck, Troy Aikman, Erin Andrews)
Radio: KTAR 98.7 FM (Dave Pasch, Ron Wolfley, Paul Calvisi)
Spanish radio: KVVA 107.1 FM (Gabrielle Trujillo, Rolandu Cantu)
WHAT'S AT STAKE?
A 4-0 start and a chance to remove any shred of doubt that the Cardinals are for real. A win in Denver against the defending AFC champs would accomplish both.
OUTLOOK
Drew Stanton has done as much as you could ask of your backup QB, but we're not sure the Cardinals could win this one with Carson Palmer healthy. Denver is 11-1 at home since Peyton Manning arrived. We keep saying it, but sooner or later, all the personnel losses are going to catch up with the Cardinals. Arizona hasn't had a great pass rush this season. Against Manning, that's a recipe for disaster.
INJURY REPORT
Cardinals: QB Carson Palmer (shoulder) and LB Glenn Carson (ankle) are out. RG Paul Fanaika (knee) is questionable. RB Andre Ellington (foot), P Dave Zastudil (groin), DE Frostee Rucker (calf), CB Patrick Peterson (illness), TE Rob Housler (hip) and OLB Alex Okafor (thigh) are probable.
Broncos: S David Bruton (ankle) and LB Lerentee McCray (knee) are questionable. G Louis Vasquez (rib cage). S Quinton Carter (knee), TE Virgil Green (concussion), K Brandon McManus (right groin) and LB Danny Trevathan (knee) are probable.
PREDICTION
Denver 24, Arizona 20
Arians insists his time and assistant Tom Moore's time with Manning in Indianapolis will be no help this week because Manning makes his calls so late at the line. Defensive coordinator Todd Bowles also faced Manning a number of times at previous coaching stops. He had a simple explanation for why that prior experience won't help.
"Because it probably didn't work," he said, laughing
So the Cardinals will rely on their game plan, sound technique and a big-game atmosphere as motivation.
"I think that's a plus for us because we show up well when we play in big games -- when we have to face an opponent like this," safety Tony Jefferson said.
The Cardinals are one of two undefeated teams (Cincinnati) as the NFL enters its fifth week. The Broncos are the defending AFC champs, so Foote said there is no point in trying to downplay this game.
"I don't believe in all that stuff," he said. "Last week was different because it was San Francisco, a division rival. This week is different because we're playing one of the greatest quarterbacks ever at their place.
"We hear the rumblings, people talking about us being undefeated so we know what this week means. Some games are just different. Most coaches won't admit and won't want us to admit that, but last week was a different vibe around here and this week is the same."
QB Drew Stanton: He won his first road game three weeks ago in New York and he played well in a win over San Francisco at home the following week. Stanton said this week that the continuity of starting three straight games (for only the second time in his career) is helpful because he's building better chemistry with the receivers and better communication with the line, but playing in Denver should be his greatest test to date.
The right guard position: Starter Paul Fanaika (officially questionable) missed practice Thursday after going on a limited basis Wednesday. If he can't play, Jonathan Cooper will start at one of the guard spots opposite Ted Larsen. Cooper has been battling turf toe this season but appears to be largely healthy. At some point, the Cardinals' 2013 first-round pick has to get back in the starting lineup.
The altitude: Arians said it only becomes a factor when defenses can't get off the field on third down and get gassed. The Broncos offense will test the Cardinals' depth with quick plays that may prevent frequent substitutions. On a unit that is already taxed by injuries and other losses, that could become a factor. Pressure on Manning will be paramount.
-- Cardinals WR John Brown is the first Cardinals rookie since Steve Lach in 1942 to catch three TD passes in his first three games.
-- The Cardinals are 3-0 for just the third time in the last 41 years (2012, 1974).
-- Cardinals CB Antonio Cromartie is the only player in NFL history to intercept Denver QB Peyton Manning three times in a game (No. 11, 2007) in any of Manning's 243 starts.
-- Broncos CB Omar Bolden and QB Brock Osweiler played for Arizona State. Bolden was teammates with Cardinals G Paul Fanaika.
-- Bruce Arians is 5-0 against the AFC as Cardinals coach.
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