The Arizona Cardinals returned to winning ways Saturday with a comprehensive 24-14 victory over the Atlanta Falcons. John Brown caught two touchdown passes for the Cards who evened their preseason record to 2-2. He showed off his trademark speed in the second quarter, catching a 28-yard scoring pass from Carson Palmer and nabbing a 21-yarder from backup Drew Stanton.
Aside from Brown’s heroics, the one thing that stood out in Arizona’s win was its sterling defense. The Cards held Matt Ryan to just 4-of-11 passing on Saturday (36 yards). The Cards, for that matter, held the Falcons’ first team scoreless as Atlanta’s starters managed a measly 70 total yards. They will look for that same kind of defensive performance against a Denver team that’s averaging 25.7 points per game this preseason, third-best in the NFL.
The Cards will be licking their chops at the prospect of facing a Denver side that’s having a QB crisis for the preseason finale. Arizona’s quarterback rotation for Thursday is pretty much set with Blaine Gabbert and Drew Stanton taking the reins against the Broncos. Gabbert completed 6 of 9 passes for 84 yards in the win against Atlanta while Stanton went 4-of-6 for 53 yards and a touchdown.
The Denver Broncos preserved their unbeaten record this preseason with a thrilling 20-17 victory over the Green Bay Packers on Saturday. Jamaal Charles impressed in his debut for the Broncos, recording 42 total yards. He rushed for 27 yards on four carries and also caught two passes for 15 yards. That performance was enough for Charles to earn a spot in Denver’s 53-man roster.
It wasn’t just Charles who excelled for the Broncos in that ballgame. Trevor Siemian completed 13 of 22 passes for 127 yards and had one interception in his first game since coach Vance Joseph declared him the starting quarterback over Paxton Lynch. Von Miller also made a surprise cameo, sacking the great Aaron Rodgers for an 11-yard loss.
The Broncos will look to complete the preseason sweep when they lock horns with the Cardinals this coming Thursday. Lynch was supposed to start the finale but he injured his right shoulder in his only series against Green Bay. With Siemian also sidelined, Joseph is planning to play Kyle Sloter the entire fourth preseason game. He was unexpectedly thrust into action last Saturday against the Packers, completing 4-of-7 passes for 49 yards and a touchdown to Hunter Sharp.
Writer’s Prediction
The Cardinals (+2.5) edge past the Broncos, 20-17.
