Arizona Cardinals Lose 27-7 to Denver Broncos in Second Preseason Game

The Arizona Cardinals suffered a dominant 27-7 loss to the Denver Broncos in their second preseason game, with Denver's backup quarterback Jarrett Stidham throwing two touchdown passes and accumulating 240 yards, contributing to the Broncos' total 562 yards of offense. The Cardinals struggled defensively, particularly with explosive plays, as highlighted by head coach Jonathan Gannon who emphasized the need for improved fundamentals and technique. Arizona's offense showed some promise early on with quarterback Jacoby Brissett connecting for a touchdown, but overall the team was held scoreless for three quarters and struggled without their starters. Additionally, the Cardinals faced a setback when offensive lineman Hayden Conner was injured on the first drive and ruled out for the remainder of the game, raising concerns about depth and versatility along the offensive line. Analysts noted that the Cardinals appear top-heavy this season, relying heavily on their star players who did not participate in this game, exposing vulnerabilities in their backups. The team will look to rebound in their next preseason matchup against the Las Vegas Raiders.