Broncos Rediscover Their Offense In Their 30-16 Win Over Cards

The Denver Broncos found their long-lost offense in their 30-16 win over the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday, as quarterback Bo Nix played a redemption game that helped answered a lot of the questions about Denver’s ability to contend. 

The two teams swapped a pair of field goals early, with the Broncos getting the first two and the Cardinals countering with two of their own to tie the game at 6-6. Nix showed signs of life early, as he hit receiver Courtland Sutton over the middle for 20 yards on the first drive, and then struck again by throwing to receiver Jaylen Waddle for 14 more on the second. 

The Cardinals had some big plays as well, as running back Bam Knight was able get yardage against Denver early, and Arizona quarterback Jacoby Brissett had some solid completions to keep the ball moving. 

The play that defined the game and broke it open came from Nix, however, as he took off on a scramble and wound up facing nothing but green grass, and the result was a 62-yard touchdown run to make it to make it 13-6 at the half. 

The Broncos slowly took over the game in the third quarter, as they used another big play from Nix to extend their lead after stopping Arizona after a short drive. Nix hit running back RJ Harvey for a 52-yard catch and run, and that made it 20-6. 

Give the Cardinals credity for not quitting, however. Brissett was battered and beaten throughout the day by the Broncos pass rush, but he led Arizona on a 10-play, 68-yard drive that culminated in a seven-yard touchdown pass to tight end Trey McBride, who had a big day against the Broncos secondary with 10 catches for 111 yards and a TD. 

That made it a one-score game, but it didn’t stay that way for long. Nix hit Marvin Mims Jr. on a 47-yard strike, and running back J.K. Dobbins ran it in from a yard out to make it 27-13. 

Most of what happened after that was window dressing, with the two teams swapping field goals in the fourth quarter as Denver played “protect the lead” while Arizona couldn’t get the big play they needed to get back in the game. 

The signature series was a goal line stand late in the game by the Denver defense after an 84-yard touchdown drive to ice the game and lock in the final score of 30-16, and the win sets up a huge divisional matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs next Sunday.