Broncos Backups Rout Cardinals 27-7 as Stidham Shines in Preseason

The Denver Broncos’ reserve unit overpowered the Arizona Cardinals 27–7 in a preseason matchup at Empower Field at Mile High on Saturday night, Aug. 16. With rookie quarterback Bo Nix and most of the Broncos’ first-team offense held out, backup Jarrett Stidham directed the attack and helped Denver jump to an early lead that it never relinquished. Denver’s backups rolled up 561 yards while limiting Arizona to 135, underscoring the gap between the clubs’ depth charts. The Cardinals likewise rested their starters, but their second-string offense mustered just 2.9 yards per play. Arizona quarterback Jacoby Brissett engineered the lone touchdown drive for the visitors, yet misfires and drops plagued the receiving corps. The game followed a week of joint practices between the teams that had provided the bulk of first-team reps, leaving Saturday’s result to hinge on roster hopefuls.