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.

Chad Ryland, entering his third NFL season and second with the Arizona Cardinals, was drafted in the fourth round by the New England Patriots in 2023. Unfortunately, his rookie year was marked by inconsistency, converting only 16 of 25 field goals. As the Cardinals prepare for the upcoming season, Ryland faces significant pressure to prove himself as a reliable kicker. He must capitalize on his opportunities during training camp to secure his position on the roster and potentially take over kicking duties for the Cardinals.

With the Cardinals reporting to training camp soon, Ryland's performance will be under close scrutiny. His previous struggles mean he will need a strong showing in practice and preseason games to regain confidence and trust from the coaching staff. A successful training camp could set the tone for a more productive regular season and provide the Cardinals with a solid scoring option.