Mile High Report
The Denver Broncos hosted the Arizona Cardinals for their second game of the preseason. The energy of the crowd was palpable with many fans in attendance for tonight’s festivities. From start to finish, the Broncos dominated and earned themselves a decisive 27-7 victory. Here are some of my instant reactions from tonight’s game.
Broncos’ second-team offense ignites with veteran quarterback Jarrett Stidham at the helm
With the most all of the starters sidelined for tonight’s game, the Broncos’ backups were able to get a lot of quality reps and playing time. However, one starter who saw playing time over the first several drives was tight end Evan Engram.
The franchise is hoping Engram can be the ‘Joker’ for Head Coach Sean Payton’s offense. While it’s just one play, his 58-yard catch-and-run early in the first quarter showed fans a glimpse of the veteran’s playmaking ability. Accruing yards after the catch was an area the team’s tight ends struggled with last season, but that should certainly change with the savvy veteran in the fold.
Speaking of veterans, quarterback Jarrett Stidham looked fantastic for a second straight week. He was 16-of-23 for 240 yards and two touchdowns. Over the course of six drives, his high level of play helped achieve four scoring drives. Most certainly, the Broncos offense dominated the first half with 323 total yards [240 passing, 83 rushing] and amassed 16 first downs. They were also very efficient on third down and completed 60-percent of those attempts. In comparison, the Cardinals had just 105 yards and 7 first downs through two quarters.
Outside a handful of penalties, the Broncos’ offense looked sharp and helped set the tone for the game. They started off fast and put points on the board—24 to be exact—which were key points of emphasis from Payton throughout the week. It may just be the preseason but watching the backup offense (especially Stidham) execute at a high level is very encouraging.
Wide receivers Troy Franklin and Pat Bryant shine against Cardinals’ defense
One of the great mysteries for the upcoming 2025 season is how things will shake out in the Broncos’ wide receiver room. Courtland Sutton is the elder statesman and presumptive top target for the team. After that, it’s anyone’s guess who comes after him in the wide receiver target share order.
Tonight, two receivers with different skillsets, made a case to be a large part of the team’s offensive plans this season. Rookie Pat Bryant excelled and notched 4 receptions for 70 yards on five targets. Second-year pro Troy Franklin also joined in on the fun and caught 4 passes for 67 yards and two touchdowns. They each made some great blocks too, in particular on Engram’s big reception at the beginning of the game.
With Devaughn Vele out nursing a knee injury, both Bryant and Franklin have made the most of their opportunities in training camp and the preseason. With each and every rep, both appear to be gaining more confidence. It’s going to...
