*INJURY UPDATE* Kyle McCarthy is out for the second half with a knee injury. Kevin Alexander, whose return from an ankle injury had been questionable, is now out.
Q3 15:00: LaRod Stephens-Howling returned the second half’s opening kickoff out to the Arizona 23-yard line. On the first play of the new half, John Skelton hit Larry Fitzgerald for a 12-yard gain. Tim Hightower gained 9 yards on his first-down carry. He picked up a yard and a first down with a second-down carry.
Q3 13:00: On the ensuing play, Fitzgerald caught a pass in space over the middle and picked up 25 yards before being taken down at the Broncos 29-yard line. Hightower picked up 5 yards on a first-down carry. On second down, Skelton scrambled out of trouble and picked up 9 yards and a first down. A 5-yard illegal contact penalty on Mario Haggan was tacked on to the end of the run. On first-and-goal from the Broncos 10-yard, Hightower picked up 2 yards. Then Skelton hit Fitzgerald for 3 yards to the 5-yard line. On third down, Renaldo Hill knocked away Skelton’s pass attempt. Jay Feely came on and kicked his fourth field goal of the day to extend Arizona’s lead. This one was from 23 yards away. It was a 10-play, 72-yard drive to start the half for the Cardinals.
CARDINALS 19, BRONCOS 3
Q3 9:40: Eric Decker returned Feely’s ensuing kickoff 51 yards to give the Broncos good starting field position for their first drive of the half. They’ll start at the Cardinals 40-yard line.
Q3 9:30: Orton slipped away from trouble on first down and fell forward for a 5-yard gain. Moreno picked up 11 yards on a run. Orton then tossed a pair of incompletions and J.D. Walton picked up a personal foul for a blow to the head. That makes it third-and-25 from the Arizona 40-yard line. On the play, Orton hit Gaffney for a 17-yard gain. Steven Hauschka came on for a 40-yard field goal attempt. He missed it wide right. Arizona takes over at their own 30-yard line.
Q3 7:11: On first down, Skelton missed Jim Dray over the middle. A host of Broncos slipped into the backfield on second down and dropped Beanie Wells for a 4-yard loss. On third down, Skelton hit Breaston for 16 yards and a first down.
Q3 5:41: Wells picked up 5 yards on first down and an encroachment penalty before the next play on Marcus Thomas gave Arizona a first down. Skelton tried to flip a pass to Hightower on first down but missed with it nearly being intercepted by David Bruton. With Jason Hunter bearing down on Skelton on the ensuing play, the rookie quarterback misfired again. On third down, Skelton’s pass for Breaston was broken up by Andre’ Goodman, bringing on Ben Graham to punt. His punt was fair caught by Eddie Royal at the Broncos 7-yard line.
Q3 4:23: On first down, Orton hit Moreno for a 6-yard gain. The running back picked up a yard on second down. His pass for Graham on third down fell incomplete, bringing on Britton Colquitt to punt. The punt traveled 60 yards, and Andre Roberts returned 15 yards to his own 41-yard line.
Q3 2:54: Hightower rushed for 9 yards on first down and Doucet ran for a first down on the next play. As the drive goes on, Tim Tebow is throwing on the sideline.
Q3 1:39: Arizona picked up a first down when Skelton fired a short pass to Stephens-Howling and Syd’Quan Thompson was flagged for unnecessary roughness for a late hit. After an incompletion, Arizona was flagged for a false start. After a pair of incompletions, Feely is back on the field to try a long field goal.
**INJURY UPDATE** Kyle Orton is probable to return with injured ribs.
Q3 1:03: The 49-yard field goal attempt sailed wide right. The Broncos will take over at their own 40-yard line. Orton is in the game under center.
Q3 0:59: Orton and Moreno can’t complete a handoff and the Broncos have their fifth turnover of the game and third lost fumble.
Q3 0:47: On a designed wide receiver pass, Champ Bailey knocked away Steve Breaston’s deep ball for Larry Fitzgerald. Hightower picked up 8 yards on second down to the Broncos 31-yard line. With 2 seconds left in the quarter, Arizona has to use its first timeout of the half, facing a third-and-2.
Q3 0:02: On the final play of the third quarter, Skelton can’t hit Doucet under pressure. It’s now fourth-and-2 from the Broncos 31-yard line.
Q4 15:00: Moments after the press box P.A. announcer said that Feely was the first kicker in Cardinals history to score a touchdown, the kicker starts the fourth quarter with his fifth field goal of the game. This one is from 49 yards out.
CARDINALS 22, BRONCOS 3
Q4 14:55: Decker returns the kickoff 28 yards to the Broncos 34-yard line. The Broncos began the drive with a false start before the drive’s first play. On its first play, Orton tossed a pass for Royal. It was ruled incomplete, but Denver will challenge. It looks like it would be enough for a first down if reversed.
Q4 14:40: The call on the field was confirmed. It’s second-and-15. Moreno ran for a 4-yard gain before an incompletion. The Broncos will have to punt again. Colquitt nails a 51-yarder and Andre Roberts returns it 6 yards. Arizona starts from its own 22-yard line.
Q4 13:47: Hightower on the carry. He’s hit by Robert Ayers and fumbles. D.J. Williams recovers it. The Broncos come back on the field, starting at the Arizona 25-yard line.
Q4 13:08: After a Moreno run and a short completion to Graham, Orton hits Royal for a 12-yard gain and a first down. The Broncos have first-and-10 at the Arizona 12-yard line.
Q4 11:31: After three incompletions, the field goal unit is on. Steven Hauschka, who is 1-for-2 on the day, connects on the 30-yard field goal. It’s the Broncos’ first points since their opening drive.
CARDINALS 22, BRONCOS 6
Q4 11:20: Stephens-Howling returns the kick 23 yards to his own 21-yard line. Mario Haggan tackles Stephens-Howling for a 3-yard loss. Stephens-Howling picks up 8-yards and then an offside penalty gives Arizona a first down.
****INJURY UPDATE**** Marcus Thomas has an ankle injury. His return is probable.
Q4 8:50: Three runs by Stephens-Howling picked up another first down. He’s in because Beanie Wells has a stomach ailment.
Q4 7:22: Hightower breaks off a 41-yard run off the right side. He picks up 7 yards on the ensuing first down run. Then, he picked up 8 more to score the rushing touchdown. Those are the first points today not scored by Jay Feely.
CARDINALS 29, BRONCOS 6
Q4 6:07: Decker takes the ensuing kickoff out to the Broncos 29-yard line. Eddie Royal scampered for 18 yards on first down and then made a 16-yard catch. Orton then hit Moreno for a 10 yard gain. After a pass to Lance Ball got nothing, Lloyd drew a pass interference penalty to pick up a first down.
Q4 4:14: Lance Ball pushed the pile to gain 4 yards on the ground. On second down, he hit Lloyd for 8 yards and a first down. Then, Gaffney drew a pass intereference penalty in the end zone. The Broncos have the ball at the Arizona 1-yard line.
Q4 3:35: Knowshon Moreno punches in the 1-yard touchdown run for the Broncos’ first trip to the end zone today. Hauschka adds the extra point. It was a 7-play, 71-yard drive.
CARDINALS 29, BRONCOS 13
Q4 3:31: The Broncos try an onside kick. The bouncing kick was recovered by Larry Fitzgerald. Arizona takes over at the Broncos 41-yard line. On first down, Hightower picked up 5 yards and the Broncos took their second timeout.
Q4 3:19: Hightower picked up a yard on second down and the Broncos used their last timeout.
Q4 3:18: Hightower broke through the line and carried 35 yards for a touchdown. Feely added the extra point.
CARDINALS 36, DENVER 13
Q4 3:09: Lance Ball returned the kickoff to the 35-yard line. On first down, Orton hit Moreno for a 6-yard gain. After an incompletion, Orton was hit and threw an interception to Daryl Washington. The linebacker ran back the other way before Lance Ball slammed out a fumble at the goal line. Teammate Darnell Dockett recovered it in the end zone for the touchdown.
CARDINALS 43, BRONCOS 13
Q4 2:25: Perrish Cox returned the kickoff to his own 33-yard line. Lance Ball took a pair of handoffs to bring it down to the two-minute warning.
Q4 2:00: Ball picked up 19 yards on a run before an incomplete pass. There’s a bit of a scuffle after the play, but no flags. Ball ran for 2 yards off the right side and then 5 more to the right. On fourth down, the running back is stacked up for no gain, ending the game.
Tags: Arizona Cardinals, Denver Broncos, Second Half Blog, Week 14
Why don’t we hire Gruden as the HC and Nolan as the DC and we’ll all be happy?
Greatness007, Wrong again. No one wanted Nolan gone except Mcd, because he stood up to Mcd & told him to let him run the defense the way he wanted. Mcd didn’t like that so Nolan gone. Mcd wanted nothing but yes sir coaches. Mcd wanted to run everything. If you read my blogs I have always said Orton is not the guy. Panicks under pressure.
Not sure if everyone saw this from the Jets/Miami game…pretty messed up
http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/blog/shutdown_corner/post/Video-Jets-employee-trips-Dolphins-player-durin?urn=nfl-294916
Good call Strandoftds lol. This game is like one of those dreams where your at school and for some reason you the only one without any clothes on.
On Twitter @postbroncos was asking for 3 good things to take out of this game for the team. As tough as it was, my 3 were (1) The season is almost over (2) We may move up into the top 5 picks in April, and (3) Thats why he is called Champ.
In hindsight I probably should have mentioned Moreno, possibly Decker in ST.
Anyone else got 3?? (Sorry couldn’t be @ssed looking through the 400+ comments
Peaks and valleys.
This team hasn’t had a head coach since Black Sunday. IMO
I had a feeling we were gonna come up short. I didn’t want to be the only schmuck picking us to lose though. Weird I still won… Talk about Twilight Zone.
broncomojo no disrespect but there was only 2 games where they were a play from winning maybe 3! Jets, Chiefs game last week, and maybe the Colts game. The only game where this team put it together on all 3 phases is the first chiefs game after a Elway pep talk.
This has been a season that has lacked effort and intensity! We had the same Defensive coach this game but we still couldn’t get pressure on the QB.
Yeah sndvl, you did real well this week, you actually earned it, congrats buddy.
I think we need to have John Elway take his shot at running our football team. And hire Nolan back, giving him a deal he can’t refuse, to take over the Defense. Give Tebow his shot as well next year, but keep Orton as his back up. Orton has done a great job for us this season. He could be a great safety net for Tebow. But let the kid shine! Tebow is a rare find. No hard feelings with what has happened, Mr. Bowlen believed in McD. Josh had great passion, and some history, but it was just too big of a position for him, I think. Too big of a step for him so young. McD will do well a bit later on in his career.
We are behind you, Mr. Bowlen!
Go Broncos!!
LMAO!!
@broncofan6453 yup, I think I read that elsewhere. McD is a tool and didn’t trust Nolan at all. Didn;t like the blitz scheme which contributed to the wonderful start of 6-0. Nola, as you put it, was by no means a YES man which irked McD. Speculating, but i would imagine the same scenario played out with Cutler, Marshall and Hillis
You have just entered…….. THE BRONCO ZONE……
You guys are missing out on the real important stuff, McD wears a hoodie and Nolan is one of the best dressed coaches in the NFL, it was a perfect clash with no chance to gel, LOL.
I can’t see how i missed that Bay LOL
Samoanbronco, you hit the nail on the head. I couldn`t have said it any better.
I bet Mike Nolan loves ZZ TOP. They wrote a song about him.
He’s ‘Got legs’? lol
Ha!!LOL!!
BTW, why are you guys still talking about McD, did you hear he was actually fired last week? I mean maybe you didn’t have a chance to say your worth about him this last year but I certainly have, was here basically 24/7 all year long telling whoever cared to listen how screwed up that young man is, but I guess if you didn’t find out how bad that HC really was now is as good time as any to let loose… Better late than never.
Sharp dressed man!
Anyway, I am not going to say much tonight about this debacle other than it was once again after the Raider game one of the worst humiliating defeat I can ever recall in my nearly 40 years of watching the team. I will be back tomorrow to talk about it in depth because right now whatever I would say would have to be highly x rated, way to bummed out about such embarassment to even discuss it, thanks for absolutely nothing Broncos other than Bailey and Decker. Good night, and please give your paycheck to whatever charity of your choice, you are not earning a penny of it!
Now that we have changed are HC and play caller and still gotten the same results, can we possibly make a change @ qb.
With less then 25% completions last week and less then 50% completions this week. I’m tired of hearing how great a year Orton is having, I’m glad he is collecting all these passing yards (kudos for him) but at the end of the game the only thing that matters is a W, and Orton has only gotten us 3.
Maybe it is time to see Tebow, maybe he will be the spark that gets the offense back on track, not saying he will be but maybe.
He can’t do any worse, are season is over already.
we need chucky and tebow. and with elway over seeing everything thats a good formula. CHUCKY + TEBOW= WINS.
Yeah, but we need to have Nolan back into the mix to focus on getting the D back on track.
No Gruden, no Nolan for me.
MY DREAM LINE UP:
Chief Executive Officer:
Pat Bowlen (I will be correct on this one)
Chief Operating Officer:
Joe Ellis (let’s face it, he is Bowlen’s right hand man and has now even become his voice… It is what it is)
Vice President of Football Operations:
John Elway (because we need to bring The Elway Factor back in The Franchise and keep him here as long as humanly possible)
General Manager and Personnel Director:
Tony Dungy (because he spells I-N-T-E-G-R-I-T-Y, and he KNOWS talent)
Head Coach:
Gregg Williams, DC of the New Orleans Saints (because we need to be competitive in the AFC and he beat a Peyton Manning led offense in the last Super Bowl and because he runs a 4-3 D which would be much better for us since we don’t have the type of LB’s required for a 3-4 at all)
Offensive Coordinator:
Rick Dennison, OC of the Houston Texans (because we need to go back to a zone blocking scheme for the running game which is our true IDENTITY)
Defensive Coordinator:
A “yes man” of Gregg Williams’ choosing (because we need a DC who will run the D exactly the way Williams would)
Quarterback:
Tim Tebow (because we need someone at the helm who can throw, who can run and who can scramble and make something out of nothing the way Elway used to)
new blog.