Denver overwhelmed Arizona with a flash-fast first half, piling up 323 yards in the opening frame and striking long on multiple big plays. Evan Engram was a key catalyst for the Broncos, helping drive a 97-yard sequence in 2:02 that included a 58-yard catch-and-run and a 27-yard scoring pass to Tony Franklin, followed by a 70-yard, eight-play march that put the game out of reach. After Arizona tied it at 7, Denver answered with another rapid stretch, aided by a 35-yard run from Jaleel McLaughlin and a string of chunk gains that culminated in a late-second-quarter field goal. The Broncos’ aerial efficiency was evident, with Stidham and Ehlinger pairing for 402 yards on 30-for-39 passing.

Arizona showed fight and learning moments, including a defensive note from Jonathan Gannon on adjustments, rookie Will Johnson’s debut snaps, and a handful of positive plays on defense. Denzel Burke supplied a pass breakup, Owen Pappoe and Patrick Jenkins logged the lone sack, and P.J. Mustipher and Anthony Goodlow added some disruptive plays in the backfield. In specialty, Blake Gillikin boomed punts and Chad Ryland showcased leg strength in warmups, while Emari Demercado and Xavier Weaver provided a few bright returns. The night yielded clear growth for the Cardinals’ young corners and linebackers, even as Denver’s pace and explosiveness left their defense chasing.

Arizona’s depth proved costly in a lopsided Denver preseason matchup, as the Cardinals were outgained 561 yards to 135 and averaged 2.9 yards per play while the Broncos piled up 7.8. The night’s bright spot came before kickoff: Chad Ryland ripped a 72-yard attempt in mile-high air, hinting at long-range kicking capacity that could matter if regular-season conditions demand 60-plus-yard tries. On the field, Brissett flashed veteran poise guiding a scoring drive, while Clayton Tune struggled to gain traction, leaving Brissett as the more reassuring option behind Kyler Murray in the immediate terms. The rookie receivers (Palmer, Weaver) and the secondary showed rough edges, reinforcing the Cardinals’ need for growth at WR depth and defensive depth. Overall, the result underscored roster decisions looming toward Week 1, with depth pieces and special-teams candidates likely to shape the final cuts.

Arizona’s defense and special teams carried the show in a 20-17 win over Kansas City, flipping field position and forcing KC to grind for every yard. The Cardinals deployed 37 defenders in the run game, and the plan paid off as the Chiefs totaled just 249 yards (4.0 per play) and converted five of 13 on third down. Stifling the run in the first half helped keep pressure on the KC quarterback, while L.J. Collier produced the lone sack but the line and edge players created persistent pressure.

Turnovers and takeaways were the heart of Arizona’s night. Darren Hall and Kitan Crawford intercepted Bailey Zappe, with Hall’s pick coming as KC marched and helped swing momentum to the Cardinals. Will Johnson and Max Melton started and flashed; Denzel Burke contributed four solo tackles. On special teams, miscues surfaced (Dortch’s opening kickoff fumble, DeeJay Dallas’ muff, and a Matt Araiza punt muff), but Chad Ryland nailed 33- and 50-yarders to seal it. Ryland’s booming kick from 50 yards four seconds into the fourth provided the game-winner as the Cardinals showcased a roster-building, young defensive core and a reliable leg in Ryland.

The Arizona Cardinals have a fiercely contested position battle at inside linebacker, contrary to initial expectations centered on finding a successor for 'Mike' linebacker Kyzir White. With White not re-signed, Mack Wilson is poised to fill that role, while the competition intensifies for the 'Will' spot, previously held by Josh Woods. Candidates for this position include free agent Akeem Davis-Gaither, rookie Owen Pappoe, and fourth-round draft pick Cody Simon. Head Coach Jonathan Gannon expressed confidence in the competitive nature of the position, highlighting that all contenders are trending positively.

The Arizona Cardinals are gearing up for training camp starting July 22, and a key player to watch is linebacker Owen Pappoe, who was drafted in the fifth round of the 2023 NFL Draft from Auburn. Pappoe's transition into the NFL comes with high expectations, given his impressive college career where he showcased his speed and tackling skills. With the Cardinals needing to solidify their linebacker corps, he has a great opportunity to earn a significant role this season. His performance in training camp will be critical as the team evaluates depth and potential starters ahead of the regular season.

Pappoe's background reflects a strong athletic lineage, attributed to his family with connections to notable football programs. This pedigree could provide him with the mental fortitude and competitive edge needed in the NFL. As Arizona looks to improve on last season's performance, how Pappoe adapts to the professional level and contributes to the team's defensive strategy will be pivotal. The rookie's ability to read plays and his sideline-to-sideline range will be closely monitored as he vies for a starting spot.