The Arizona Cardinals had not won a game in State Farm Stadium since beating the New Orleans Saints on Thursday Night Football. In one game under new head coach Jonathan Gannon, they have themselves a home win.
Thanks to two touchdown drives in the fourth quarter, including an 18-yard touchdown pass from David Blough to Brian Cobbs and a two-point conversion run by undrafted rookie running back Emari Demercado, the Cardinals picked up an 18-17 last-second win in their preseason opener.
Here is how it went down:
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Starting offense
The Cardinals opened on offense, winning the coin toss.
Greg Dortch was the kick returner.
On offense, here were the starters:
- QB Colt McCoy
- RB Corey Clement
- WR Rondale Moore
- WR Zach Pascal
- WR Michael Wilson
- TE Geoff Swaim
- LT Kelvin Beachum
- LG Elijah Wilkinson
- C Hjalte Froholdt
- RG Will Hernandez
- RT Paris Johnson
First offensive series efficient
The Cardinals punted on their first offensive possession but converted twice on third down. Colt McCoy scrambled for s first down and rookie Michael Wilson caught a third-down pass.
Defense forces a three-and-out
The defense got off the field quickly on their first series. They forced a three-and-out, as L.J. Collier batted down a third-down pass.
Starting defense
Defensive line: Jonathan Ledbetter, Leki Fotu, L.J. Collier
Outside linebacker: Dennis Gardeck, Zaven Collins
Inside linebacker: Josh Woods, Krys Barnes
Cornerback: Marco Wilson, Christian Matthew
Safety: Jalen Thompson, Isaiah Simmons
Clayton Tune enters game
The rookie quarterback came in for McCoy after one series.
McCoy went 4-for-4 passing for 17 yards. He also rushed for five yards.
Tune picked off
Read it the whole way. 👐@EBassey21 | 📺: 9NEWS pic.twitter.com/FCUHDSsxd8
— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) August 12, 2023
On his fourth pass attempt, Tune threw the ball to Rondale Moore, who slipped as he turned around.
Essing Bassey picked off the pass and returned it 31 yards.
Cardinals force stop
After the Broncos pick up a first down, Dennis Gardeck gets a sack and the defense forces a 47-yard field goal that the Broncos miss.
Another missed FG
Elliott Fry missed a 47-yard kick after the defense picked off Tune.
On the Broncos’ second possession, he missed a 50-yard kick wide right.
The Cardinals’ defense still throwing a shutout.
Cardinals miss FG
After the Cardinals move into field goal range, the drive stalls and Matt Prater comes in for a 53-yard field goal. The kick misses badly wide left.
Nolan Cooney was the holder on the attempt.
Broncos 7, Cardinals 0
After the missed kick by Prater, the Broncos went 57 yards on six plays. Russell Wilson connected with Jerry Jeudy, who got separation away from safety Andres Chachere, for a 21-yard touchdown.
The Cardinals had backup defenders in the game.
Corey Clement leaves with injury
Meanwhile, Corey Clement heads into the locker room.#DENvsAZ
— Craig Grialou (@CraigAZSports) August 12, 2023
Running back Corey Clement started the game for the Cardinals at running back. He was seen walking to the locker room in the second quarter.
4th-down QB sneak
AN UNDER CENTER QB SNEAK!
— Jess Root (@senorjessroot) August 12, 2023
After Tune’s third-down scramble wasn’t enough for a first down, the Cardinals ran a QB sneak from under center to pick up the first.
Cardinals fans will note that it was not a play the Cardinals ever ran with Kyler Murray.
Maybe that changes this season.
Kei'Trel Clark, Cam Thomas make plays
As the Broncos were on offense late in the second quarter, two young players made plays.
Rookie cornerback Kei’Trel Clark dove for a pass breakup down the field.
Second-year pass rusher Cam Thomas had a third-down sack to end the drive.
55-yard FG to end half
Fry finally got a kick to go. He hit a 55-yarder with 11 seconds left in the half after the Cardinals went three-and-out, giving the Broncos a 10-0 lead.
Antonio Hamilton INT
read it like a book 📖@UnitedSt8Of_Ham x #BirdGang pic.twitter.com/lPY2bIHYLB
— Arizona Cardinals (@AZCardinals) August 12, 2023
Antonio Hamilton, battling for a spot in the defensive rotation, made a play in the second half.
Broncos 10, Cardinals 3
It's up and it's good 🙌 pic.twitter.com/goCeykuYtL
— Arizona Cardinals (@AZCardinals) August 12, 2023
The Cardinals got on the board, taking advantage of the turnover.
They went 10 plays for 58 yards and Matt Prater connected from 38 yards to pull the Cardinals within a touchdown.
Blocked FG!
The Broncos were penalized twice for holding after getting past midfield. Their drive stalled and again missed a field goal.
However, this time it was because defensive lineman Carlos Watkins got a hand on the attempt for a blocked field goal.
It was a 52-yard attempt by Brett Maher.
Cardinals 10, Broncos 10
TUNED IN FOR 6 pic.twitter.com/EQ8anQgRyZ
— Arizona Cardinals (@AZCardinals) August 12, 2023
The Cardinals tie the game in the fourth quarter after the blocked field goal as Clayton Tune found Kaden Davis for a seven-yard touchdown pass.
They went 58 yards on 10 plays with pass plays to Andre Baccellia for 11 yards, Daniel Arias for 17 yards and Davion Davis for 16 yards.
Broncos 17, Cardinals 10
Appearing to avoid overtime, the Broncos took a 17-10 lead with an 87-yard drive in a little more than three minutes with a four-yard touchdown run from Jaleel McLaughlin.
The Cardinals took over at the 25 with 1:30 left in the game.
TOUCHDOWN!
The Broncos left too much time on the clock for David Blough. He led the Cardinals on a 10-play, 75 yard drive in 1:28, completing an 18-yard touchdown pass to Brian Cobbs for a touchdown with two seconds remaining.
TWO-POINT CONVERSION FOR THE WIN
Going for the win, undrafted rookie running back Emari Demercado ran in the two-point conversion to give the Cardinals an 18-17 preseason win.
