The Denver Broncos’ first preseason game under new head coach Sean Payton was a tough one, an 18-17 loss against the Arizona Cardinals on Friday evening.
Earlier in the week, Payton said that the Broncos’ offensive starters would go 15-18 plays. Instead, the offensive starters recorded 22 plays over four drives. Quarterback Russell Wilson eventually threw a 21-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Jerry Jeudy in the second quarter to make the game 7-0.
Denver’s starting defense did not allow any points in three drives, and fourth-year defensive back Essang Bassey intercepted Cardinals quarterback Clayton Tune on Arizona’s second drive of the night.
The Broncos kicking game was extremely rocky. Brett Maher missed a 47-yarder early in the game, as well as having a 52-yarder blocked in the third quarter. Maher did make the extra point after the Jeudy touchdown. Elliott Fry missed a 50-yarder in the second quarter, but made a 55-yarder to make the game 10-0 right before halftime.
The Cardinals fought back with 10 points in the second half, with a Matt Prater field goal after Broncos backup quarterback Jarrett Stidham threw an interception, and a 10-play drive resulting in a Tune touchdown in the fourth quarter.
Third-string quarterback Ben DiNucci gave Denver one more chance to win the game, with a valiant 10-play, 87-yard drive that ended with a Jaleel McLaughlin four-yard touchdown with 90 seconds left.
However, the Cardinals would not go down easy. Quarterback David Blough helped Arizona down the field, throwing an 18-yard touchdown to wide receiver Brian Cobbs. Arizona finished it off with a two-point conversion with two seconds left, taking a one-point lead.
Hopefully, this is not a harbinger of things to come, as the Broncos were 3-7 in one-score games in 2022.
Follow the Broncos Wire Podcast:
Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts
[vertical-gallery id=620142]