Cardinals Clipped!!!

by beasball44 | 9 years ago | 0 Comments

Denver welcomed the Super Bowl runner-up Arizona Cardinals for a week 3 matchup at Mile High.  The Cardinals came in a perfect (2-0) while the Broncos dropped their week 2 contest to the defending Super Bowl Champion Pittsburgh Steelers.  Denver came into the matchup with a chance to upset one of the top teams in the league.  Broncos Head Coach Beas said, "We came in with a gameplan of how to attack on offense.  The plan was an absolute failure.  Luckily our defense made some great plays.  Our special teams came through in the clutch like always."

Coach couldn't have said it better.  Despite winning 37-20, the Broncos only amassed 150 total yards offense.  Seems very odd for an offense to score that many with such little offensive output.  This is how the defense took over though.

After an opening series of game INT by the Cardinals, the Broncos forced a punt to get control of the ball at their own 10.  Two plays later, Aaron Rodgers would be INT again by the Cardinals.  Cardinals took over in prime position to take control of the game.  On a 3rd and 3 from the 20, Reggie Nelson stepped in front of a flat pass to RB David Johnson and returned the INT for a TD.  Not to be outdone, on the next possesion rookie CB Gabe French (1st round pick) INT a route and returned it for a TD.  Broncos would continue to add defensive pressure as they would intercept Garrapolo 4 more times throughout the game.  Two of those would be returned inside the Cardinal 20.

Nolan would not go quietly however.  Honey Badger had his own pick 6 early in the 2nd half to cut into the lead.  Cardinals would eventually cut the Bronco lead to 7 with about 6 minutes to go in the game.  That would only last for a kickoff, as Connor Rucker would return the kickoff for a TD to stretch the lead back out to 14.