*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
I never heard ANYONE call for Nolans job!
Yes, I want us to lose, but at least play our rookies and some back ups to see if they are worth keeping or playing!!
Well wait, maybe they know that we will win with Tebow and they are trying to get us a better draft pick!!! That has to be the only solution!!! If there is something else that they’re thinking, then please leave the building!!!!
Sign Chucky!!
Champ Baily is currently the best player on our team. I’m sure his play will warrent a new contract but I think we will have to wait for a new mgmt team to make the deal. Maybe in a couple months or so?
High pick, lose em all.
This was on AFC East blog earlier and I was looking up something on the Patriots and came over it!! I think they meant to put it in the AFC West blog spot or maybe had it on AFC East because of Nolan!!
Mike Nolan makes sense for Denver job
December, 12, 2010
Dec 12
10:34
AM ET
By Tim Graham
Might the Miami Dolphins be looking for their third defensive coordinator in three seasons?
Something to keep an eye on is Mike Nolan’s possible candidacy to be the next Denver Broncos head coach.
Nolan left the Broncos after last season because he didn’t get along with head coach Josh McDaniels. Nolan looks even better these days — and probably is even more admired by Broncos’ upper management — for parting with McDaniels, who committed a series of gaffes and got fired less than two years into the gig.
AFC West blogger Bill Williamson sketched out a case for Nolan to return to Denver.
Broncos owner Pat Bowlen has valued the coaches who worked under Dan Reeves in Denver, which Nolan did as a linebackers coach. Denver’s next two coaches after Reeves were Reeves coordinators Wade Phillips and Mike Shanahan. McDaniels was Denver’s first head coach without ties to Reeves.
Williamson wrote:
While [Nolan] and Josh McDaniels parted ways after one season because they decided they couldn’t work well together, Nolan got along with other key factions of the team. Most importantly, the Broncos’ defense was successful under Nolan. It has crashed badly ever since Nolan left to become Miami’s defensive coordinator.
Nolan likely would command immediate respect in the Broncos’ locker room because the players know him and played well under him. Nolan also has been a head coach, running the San Francisco 49ers for three years. He went 18-37 there, but head coaches often make a greater impact in their second chance.
The Dolphins’ defense has performed well under Nolan — although their 6-6 record doesn’t reflect it. The Dolphins have a top-10 defense in many important categories: fourth in total defense, ninth in run defense, fifth in pass defense, ninth in sacks per pass play, fourth in first downs and 10th in third-down efficiency.
The Dolphins, who fired Paul Pasqualoni last year and hired Nolan, would have a tough time finding an adequate replacement.
lol@ wanting a high pick. Next coach might not beleive in Kyle, Tebow, or Quinn. Then pick Jake Locker with that high pick. Then ya’ll will be crying again.
Graham is the best blocking TE in football,Quinn and Grownkoski need to get canned,we need a good pass catching TE.
Get the big NT Powe from Ole Miss, Rudolph from Notre Dam, and Peterson with our #3 overall pick in the draft and I’ll be satisfied
Well said OC. First things first!
No going backwards getting rid of your first round picks anymore. Draft D!!!
I’d like Nolan as a head coach
AMEN,strandoftds.
Geesh, our Defense needs some serious work (I know you guys realize this). Didn’t get to see the game on the east coast, but Orton had 3 picks? I’m gonna throw up.
Nolan is a great DC,but he proved in Sanfran that he isn’t a HC (18-37).
Bring in Chucky!!!!!!!!
I believe Tebow does not know McCoys’ system. Plain and simple.
Elway,Chucky,and Tebow!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!2011.
McCoy and McD have the same system.
OC,Chucky can bring in a new system just for Tebow,I see it now,spread Offense designed just for Tebow,with zoneblocking!
Who’s chucky?
Orton didn’t know it today either.LOL.
Chucky = Jon Gruden
Gruden!
Back atcha bro.
i honestly really want Gruden. Bill Cowher would be awesome too. jus dnt kno if he likes tebow. Gruden has faith in tebow. And i think itd be a good sitiation. with tht said i would definately be ok with Nolan as head coach. he made Mcdaniels look like a stud last year. Which makes me wonder if Mcdaniels should even be credited with the 8 wins he got last year.
McD should have been canned at the end of last year instead of letting him run Nolan off!
Studs tried practicing in no pads… maybe ice cream will make it all better.
Should be an exciting draft next year with a new HC,GM,and Elway running the show,can’t wait!
http://content.usatoday.com/communities/thehuddle/post/2010/12/broncos-moving-closer-to-hiring-john-elway-as-executive/1
Hello?
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/12/12/john-elway-broncos-executive_n_795556.html
I mean McD made them practice in pads and yelled at people when they didn’t do there jobs. Maybe no pads and ice cream is a better strategy.
We will find a good HC we knew Studesville wasn’t qualified,he’s just filling in until seasons end.Too bad he might lose his RB coaching job,I hope not,he is a good RB coach.
Yea, McCoy and McD have the same system and Tebow has known the whole system!!!
Even if Tebow didn’t know the system, he could have STILL came into the game tonight and performed better than Orton!!!
I mean COME ON!!! John Skelton just made Orton look like a rookie and Skelton was a 5th round draft pick!!
Nolan is still tops on my list. Unless Cowher is interested. Which most likely isn’t!
God this team sucks. I don’t think anyone who comes in is going to be able to turn around this mess in the short term.
will all u babys stop wining! i trust bowlen…. next year he will bring in an able head coach who is willing to work with tebow (gruden) and our first 3 picks in the draft will be d-line…. that will help our Dbacks out alot…. we got alot of young talent cox bruton mcbath syquan thompson…. and we resign baily for 3 mor years to help each of them grow and develop
tebow gruden elway and fairley 2011
Let me get this straight…… We let a Kicker get 28 fantasy points on us?!?! WOW!! Orton is a JOKE! No type of emotion and looked totally defeated every time they showed him up close. Man I got sooooo excited when I saw Tebow warming up and then was let down when they didn’t let him in.
Props to Decker bc he seemed like one of few who really wanted to play today.
Ha!! I`m laughing because we`re going to have a top 5 pick or better!!
Caramello…
Yes, Decker, Champ, Hunter, and Thompson!!! Very few players
I agree!!
And once again many of Ortons passes skipped into the WR hands. Many short throws that did not make it.
BRONCOS 13
CARDINALS 43
Official results of the score prediction contest:
And this was no fun since absolutely no one predicted us to lose, but as always some were closer to the reality of things and some were way off, so here we go:
1st place:
sndvl 26-24, 32 points off
Two way tie for 2nd place:
milehighmagic88 27-21, 36 points off
footballMANIAC 23-17, 36 points off
4th place:
caramello 34-24, 40 points off
5th place:
since1972 24-13, 41 points off
And this week entry on the Wall of Shame, who had us beating the Cardinals by 30 points!!!:
samurai 713 40-10!
All I’m gonna say about this one is better luck next week, but regardless the above winners earned their points and I’m jealous, I placed sixth, therefore I earned no points at all, BIG BUMMER!
Anyhow next week it’s the Raiders at their home, get ready, make your picks, only three weeks to go to try to claim the score predictor title for the year!
samurai
Anyway, you guys pay close attention to what I posted this morning, it should freak everyone out:
Baylinorcrush
December 12, 2010 at 7:54 am
Anyhow, all picks are in, no picks on game day.
This is only the second time this year that none of the bloggers picked us to lose!
Wanna guess who it was we played the first time that happened?
The Raiders, and we lost 59-14!!!!
Could it be a bad omen?
That’s too weird for comfort… but I do think we will win.
GO BRONCOS!!!!!
How is that for some totally unbelievable coincidence!?!?!?!?!
we obvoulsy need to hit on our top picks this year…….
broncosfreak30….. Yeah the other guys you named did their thing as well. Esp Champs play vs Fitzgerald. Man it was so hard to watch the offense play tonight or lack of!!
4th place….. Yeahhhhh I’ll take that and it’s a good thing I didn’t start the Broncos D/ST like I had planned!
I don’t know why samurai appeared at the bottom of the score prediction results, I certainly didn’t mean to put him up twice on the Wall of Shame, LOL, my bad.
All I now is this whole season I have seen a team that was a play or two away from winning every game (except Oakland), and what I witnessed today was a team that could barley compete at the college level. it was like we were playing with no Head Coach……………………weird huh?
TWILGHT ZONE!
Hey, if I predict the Bronco`s to lose next week then maybe we`ll win.