When the Arizona Cardinals face the Denver Broncos, fans always expect a tough and exciting game. Both teams have a long history, and their matchups often come down to a few key players making big plays at the right time. In this article, we will look closely at the player stats from their recent games, break down what these numbers mean, and explain what to watch for the next time these two teams meet.
Whether you are a casual fan checking the score or someone who loves digging into the numbers, this guide will help you understand the matchup better.
A Quick Look at the Rivalry
The Cardinals and the Broncos do not play each other often, since they are in different conferences. So far, these two teams have met 12 times. The Broncos have won 10 of those games, the Cardinals have won just 1, and there was 1 tie. This shows that Denver has had the upper hand in this matchup for many years.
Even though the head-to-head record leans heavily toward the Broncos, past games have still given fans some memorable individual performances. Players like Larry Fitzgerald, DeAndre Hopkins, and Phillip Lindsay have all had standout games in this rivalry.
Breaking Down a Recent Meeting
One of the most recent games between these two teams took place in the preseason, with the Broncos beating the Cardinals 27-7. While preseason games do not count toward the standings, they still give a good look at how players perform and how coaches plan to use their rosters.
Here is how some of the key players performed in that game:
Quarterback Play
Jacoby Brissett started for Arizona and had a short but efficient outing, completing 6 of his 8 passes for 57 yards and 1 touchdown. On the other side, Jarrett Stidham led Denver with a much bigger workload, going 16 of 23 for 240 yards and 2 touchdowns. Stidham’s performance was a big reason why the Broncos controlled the game from start to finish.
Running Backs
On the ground, Arizona’s Emari Demercado carried the ball 6 times for 15 yards. Denver’s Jaleel McLaughlin had fewer carries, just 3, but still managed 48 yards, showing good efficiency every time he touched the ball.
Wide Receivers
Simi Fehoko had a strong game for Denver, catching 2 passes for 21 yards and 1 touchdown. Pat Bryant led all receivers in yardage with 4 catches for 70 yards. These numbers show that Denver’s passing attack was working well through different targets, not just one main receiver.
Defense
Defensively, Denver also had the edge. Linebacker J. Turner recorded 1.5 sacks, while Arizona’s Preston Jenkins had half a sack of his own. In terms of tackles, Denver’s L. Bailey and Arizona’s J. Robinson were both active, with Robinson leading his team with 8 tackles, 5 of them solo.
Team Stats That Told the Story
Individual stats matter, but team numbers help explain why one side wins and the other loses. In this matchup, Denver dominated the total yardage battle, finishing with 562 yards compared to Arizona’s 135 yards. That is a huge gap and shows how much control Denver had over the game.
Turnovers also played a role. Arizona did not turn the ball over at all, but Denver still won comfortably thanks to their much stronger offense. Denver also held a clear edge in first downs, 27 to 8, and controlled the clock for over 35 minutes compared to Arizona’s under 25 minutes of possession.
Third down conversions are often seen as one of the most telling stats in football. In this game, Denver converted on 5 of 11 third-down tries, while Arizona only managed 2 out of 13. This kind of gap usually means one offense is staying on schedule while the other is struggling to move the chains.
Looking Back at Past Matchups
Beyond this most recent game, the history between these two teams has produced some interesting stat lines. In past meetings:
- Case Keenum threw for 161 yards and 1 touchdown for Denver, while Josh Rosen threw for 194 yards for Arizona in a game that also saw 3 interceptions from Rosen.
- Phillip Lindsay rushed for 90 yards and a touchdown on just 14 carries for Denver, while David Johnson had 39 yards on the same number of carries for Arizona.
- Emmanuel Sanders caught 6 passes for 102 yards and a touchdown, while Larry Fitzgerald added a touchdown catch of his own with 40 yards on 4 receptions.
These numbers show that even though Denver has won most of the games in this series, Arizona’s stars have still shown up with strong individual performances from time to time.
What These Stats Really Mean
Looking at player stats alone does not always tell the full story of a game. A quarterback with a high completion percentage might still lose if his team turns the ball over. A running back with a low number of carries can still have a big impact if he gains a lot of yards per attempt.
For this matchup specifically, a few things tend to matter the most:
- Quarterback efficiency: Completion percentage and yards per attempt often decide who controls the game.
- Turnovers: Every turnover changes the flow of the game and can shift momentum in seconds.
- Third-down conversions: Teams that convert more third downs keep their offense on the field longer and tire out the other team’s defense.
- Defensive pressure: Sacks and hurries often lead to mistakes, rushed throws, or turnovers.
When you watch the next Cardinals versus Broncos game, keeping an eye on these four areas will help you understand why the final score turned out the way it did.
What to Expect in the Next Matchup
The Cardinals and Broncos are set to meet again during the regular season, with the game scheduled to take place at State Farm Stadium in Arizona. Based on recent trends, Denver has leaned more on a balanced running game paired with efficient passing, while Arizona has used a more mixed offensive approach that spreads the ball around to different players.
Fans should watch how each team’s offensive line performs, since that often decides how much time the quarterback has to throw and how much room the running backs have to work with. Defensively, watch for pressure up front, since that has been a difference-maker in past meetings between these two teams.
Final Thoughts
The Arizona Cardinals versus Denver Broncos matchup may not happen often, but it has still produced plenty of memorable stats and performances over the years. From Jarrett Stidham’s efficient passing to Larry Fitzgerald’s clutch touchdown grabs in past games, this rivalry has given fans a lot to talk about.
Understanding player stats helps you see beyond the final score. It shows you who stepped up, who struggled, and what really decided the outcome of the game. The next time these two teams face off, keep these stats in mind, and you will have a much deeper understanding of what is really happening on the field.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many times have the Arizona Cardinals and Denver Broncos played each other?
The two teams have played 12 times in total. Denver has won 10 of those games, Arizona has won 1, and there has been 1 tie.
Who won the most recent Cardinals vs Broncos game?
In their most recent meeting, a preseason game, the Denver Broncos beat the Arizona Cardinals 27-7. Denver’s offense led by Jarrett Stidham controlled the game from start to finish.
What stats matter most when comparing player performance in this matchup?
Quarterback efficiency, turnovers, and third-down conversions usually have the biggest impact on the outcome. Defensive stats like sacks and tackles for loss also play a big role in shifting momentum during the game.
