GLENDALE, ARIZONA - AUGUST 11: Head coach Sean Payton of the Denver Broncos walks on the field before the NFL game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium on August 11, 2023 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)Photo: Christian Petersen / Getty Images Sport / Getty Images
It seemed like the Broncos were in position to hang on and beat the Cardinals in their first preseason game but late collapse by the defense handed Arizona an 18-17 win in the first preseason game. Below is the recap of the game.
The Broncos began the 2023 season on defense where, after a few first downs, Alex Singleton made a terrific play and knifed through the Cardinals offensive line and got a tackle for loss against Corey Clement to stall the drive.
Russell Wilson took the field for his first snaps of the season but unfortunately wasn't able to gain much ground on the initial drive, going 3-and-out with two incompletions including a batted pass by LJ Collier.
Clayton Tune started the 2nd drive for the Cardinals after Colt McCoy went 4-4 for 17 yards on the first drive. Rondale Moore beat Essang Bassey on an inside move for 13 yards that helped convert a 3rd-and-5 but Bassey got the last laugh as he picked off Tune a couple plays later to get the ball back to the offense.
Russell Wilson and the first team offense moved down the field quickly but failed to convert a 47 yard Field Goal. In fact both teams took turns moving the ball for a few series and missing field goals including a 50- yard FG from Fry and a 53 yard FG from Prater.
The Broncos starting offense remained on the field and this time they finally were able to get on the board. After a 20-yard completion to Sutton, a few plays later the Broncos offense faced a 4th and 5. The Cardinals brought seven rushers and Russell Wilson hit Jeudy over the middle for a 21 yard touchdown to give the Broncos a 7-0 lead with 6:54 remaining in the 2nd quarter.
Russell Wilson's night was finished after going 7-13, 93 yards and 1 TD. On the next drive, Jarrett Stidham took over and on his 2nd throw was able to hit Lil'Jordan Humphrey for a 26 yard gain to midfield. Unfortunately, that would be the best play of Stidham's first drive as they Broncos were forced to punt following a 3 yard sack on 3rd down.
Stidham would get another chance before halftime after Montrell Washington had a 19-yard punt return, setting the Broncos up at the Arizona 45. A key reception by Tyler Badie set up a 50-yard FG attempt from Elliott Fry and THIS time he didn't miss. Broncos went into halftime with a 10-0 lead.
To open the 2nd half, Stidham and the Broncos offense effectively moved the ball to the Arizona 36 yard line before throwing an interception to Hamilton and ending a promising drive.
Clayton Tune remained in the game for the Cardinals offense and stacked together their best drive of the night and the first one to enter the Broncos Red Zone. Rookie Marquis Haynes drew a facemask penalty that backed the drive up and the Cardinals settled for a Matt Prater 38-yard FG, cutting the Broncos lead 10-3.
After a short kick, the Broncos offense was set up at their own 47 yard line for Jarrett Stidham and the backup offense. Unfortunately, a promising drive was stalled by two holding penalties by the offensive line and the Brett Maher 52-yard Field Goal attempt was blocked.
Clayton Tune and the Cardinals offense took advantage of the field position and strung together a 10-play drive, capped off by a 7-yard touchdown to Caden Davis, tying the game at 10.
Broncos made a QB change to Ben DeNucci with 12:25 remaining in the 4th quarter. After a completion to Michael Bandy that netted a first down, the Broncos were forced to punt with 9:24 remaining in the game.
David Blough took over the starting QB position for the Cardinals for the next series as, once again, Arizona moved into Denver territory but it was rookie Elijah Garcia who had TWO huge sacks to back the Cardinals up and force a punt.
Ben DeNucci got one more shot to score points and between Taylor Grimes, Michael Bandy and Jaleel McLaughlin, Denver moved briskly down the field on a highly efficient 10- play drive to see McLaughlin punch it in from 4 yards out, giving the Broncos a 17-10 lead with 1:30 remaining.
That was apparently too much time for David Blough and the Arizona offense as they moved down the field and, with 2 seconds remaining in the game, scored an 18-yard touchdown pass to Cobbs. Demercado successfully converted the 2-point conversion and the Cardinals beat the Broncos 18-17.
The Broncos will travel to San Francisco next Saturday night to face the 49ers in their 2nd preseason game. Coverage on KOA begins at 3pm MTN.
Hear Head Coach Sean Payton with Voice of the Broncos Dave Logan and Essang Bassey with Susie Wargin