Broncos Cardinals odds: Broncos are 8-point favorites vs. undefeated Cardinals at home

Las Vegas isn't overly impressed with the Arizona Cardinals' 3-0 start.

The Denver Broncos are favorites at home in Week 5, which comes as no surprise - the Peyton Manning-led Broncos have been favored in all but one game since October 2012.

What is a surprise, at least for me, is the gap that bettors seem to believe the Broncos own over the Cardinals. I was expecting around a 5-point spread for the Broncos this week at home. Instead, the Broncos opened as 7-point favorites.

The line has already shifted to mostly 8 points and as high as 9 points, depending on the sportsbook you query.

Which begs the question: am I overestimating the Cardinals, or is the general populous underestimating them?

I think it's the latter.

For those thinking these 3-0 Cardinals might not be "for real," think again.

These Cardinals aren't a fluky 3-0. They were 10-6 a year ago. The teams they've played in 2014 are no slouches: they've beaten the San Diego Chargers and San Francisco 49ers already this season. They're the only team to beat a Russell Wilson-led Seahawks team in Seattle, ever, a feat they accomplished in late 2013. Their defense has proven stifling this year, ranking 2nd against the run and not allowing a team to score a single point in the fourth quarter.

All evidence points to Arizona's "for real"-ness, but because they don't have a lot of superstars or household names on their roster, they're overlooked and underestimated.  I think they'll give the Broncos a fine test this Sunday, and if the Broncos were to beat them by a touchdown or more, I'd be happily thrilled for thoroughly beating a quality team.

What do you think?