GLENDALE, Ariz. — Sean Payton has already made a pivotal decision that paid off.
With his quarterback Russ Wilson and the Broncos’ first-string offense struggling after three series and 14 plays, Payton decided to send them back out for a fourth series.
Entering the preseason opener here Friday night, Payton said his starters would play 15 to 18 snaps. The first-string defense – minus star cornerback Pat Surtain II, veteran edge rusher Frank Clark and injured safety Justin Simmons – held the Arizona Cardinals through two series and 15 plays and got the rest of the night off.
But Payton wanted his offense to finish with a more positive vibe.
They got it as the Broncos led Arizona, 10-0, at halftime here in the preseason opener Friday night at State Farm Stadium. Arizona's second- and third-stringers were better than the Broncos' for much of the second half as the Cardinals won 18-17.
“Regardless of whether it's a preseason game, regular-season game, just can't stand losing,'' Payton said. "Especially in that fashion."
Still, Broncos fans could sense they now have a coach who has a feel for the game.
"We looked at the numbers and we went one more with the offense,'' Payton said. "I think the defense's totals, it was a little easier. Shoot I wanted to score, leave a good taste in our mouth.''
Wilson, on his 20th play, threw a 21-yard touchdown pass to Jerry Jeudy and Elliott Fry nailed a 55-yard field goal with 11 seconds remaining in the half.
"We knew we were going to get 15, 18 plays, somewhere in there,'' Wilson said. "I thought it was really good, how we responded. ... I thought it was a really great route by Jerry. Good job by him getting open there on a split second. They brought all pressure and he did a good job of winning and getting a touchdown for us, that was big."
Veteran Arizona quarterback David Blough threw an 18-yard touchdown pass to Brian Cobbs with 2 seconds remaining and Emari Demercado carried Denver defensive tackle Matt Henningsen into the end zone for the game-winning 2-point conversion.
"I got to bring him down,'' Henningsen said. "I had him in the backfield, I beat the block, I had him in the backfield, I had him in my arms -- I don't know what happened. It seemed like he got a surge, I don't know if his linemen were pushing him or pulling him or what. Just didn't get him down."
Until Blough's late-game heroics, it appeared Broncos' No. 3 quarterback Ben DiNucci would prevail as he led an 87-yard go-ahead touchdown drive in the final minutes. DiNucci made two big plays by avoiding the pass rush -- the first a 10-yard completion to Michael Bandy to convert a third-and-3, and then drawing a 22-yard pass interference penalty to set up first and goal -- and undrafted rookie running back Jaleel McLaughlin finished the drive with a 4-yard touchdown run.
The Cards let McLaughlin score with 1:30 left so they would have enough time on the clock to tie. It was debatable strategy as they had two timeouts which meant a stop for field goal would have made it 13-10 with about 50 seconds remaining. Do the math: 50 seconds for 3 points or 1:30 for 7 points.
The latter is more difficult which is why Payton didn't have McLaughlin hold up from scoring.
"I’m familiar with the situations but they have two timeouts left,'' Payton said. "There is going to be too much time.”
But Blough came through, passing for 75 yards during a 10-play hurry-up drive and finishing off the drive with an 18-yard touchdown strike.
Two former Broncos also scored for Arizona in the second half -- Matt Prater on a 38-yard field goal and Kaden Davis on a 7-yard touchdown reception off a Clayton Tune pass.
Preseason games, though, are not about whether you win or lose but how your starters play.
The Wilson to Jeudy touchdown may have occurred against the Cards’ second-string defense, but as they say – it’s not who you play; it’s how you play.
Starting their fourth series with good field position at their own 43, the Broncos got a nice start with a Samaje Perine run up the middle for 11 yards. Wilson then climbed the pocket to avoid pressure and connected with Courtland Sutton for 19 yards and the Broncos were in business at the Arizona 27.
A couple plays later, a nice scramble and throw by Wilson was spoiled when an open Jeudy dropped a pass that would have set up first and goal at about the 6.
The drop brought up fourth and 4 at the Arizona 21. Decision time again, although a no-brainer to go for it.
With his two kickers, Brett Maher and Fry, each missing long-range field goals to that point, Payton called a fourth-down play. Arizona brought a blitz, Wilson quickly fired across the middle to a wide-open Jeudy, who caught it and eased into the end zone for a 21-yard touchdown play.
Maher’s extra point gave the Broncos a 7-0 lead midway through the second quarter.
Wilson finished 7 of 13 for 93 yards and a touchdown.
“He was sharp,'' Payton said. "He’s had a good week at practice and to keep working.”
Until that fourth series, Payton encountered some of the problems Denver experienced last season. Wilson had a ball tipped at the line, missed an open receiver on the first play and was harassed in the pocket.
Prior to the fourth series, Wilson drilled middle-pattern completions to Jeudy for 19 yards and Sutton for 14. But he was just 4 of 9 for 49 yards after three series.
The barren middle of the field at State Farm Stadium didn’t seem to be a factor, unless it hurt the footing during Maher’s 47-yard miss and Fry’s miss from 50.
It didn’t hurt Fry when he nailed a 55-yarder near the end of the half.
The Broncos’ starting offense wasted an impressive interception by nickelback Essang Bassey in the first quarter. Bassey was subbing for injured nickelback starter K'Waun Williams.
“I’ve been in that position before,'' Bassey said. "Coming in and filling in when guys go down. So it was just another opportunity for me. The standard stays the same when guys go down, so I just had to live up to that and I was able to make a play on it.”
On the next play after the Bassey pick, Wilson hit Jeudy for 19 and the Broncos had first down at the Arizona 22.
But the Broncos went backwards from there. Perine, starting in place of No. 1 tailback Javonte Williams, who got another week off from game competition in his comeback from ACL surgery, was stuffed for no gain. Wilson was sacked on the next play. And on third and 17 his underhand shovel pass to Perine clanked off the running back's sternum.
Maher then missed the field goal.
The Broncos finished 5-12 last year and Wilson struggled through his career-worst season by almost every metric. Payton’s decision to send Wilson and his offense out there for one more series left them with a much-needed confidence boost.
Bronco Bits
Jarrett Stidham finished the half for the Broncos at quarterback, then played the third quarter. He was 5 of 15 for 50 yards with an interception. …
DiNucci was 7 of 9 for 57 yards. ...
Defensive tackle D.J. Jones left after the first series with a concussion. ...
Inside linebacker Josey Jewell had three quick tackles in two series before he was treated for getting his eye poked on the first team's final defensive play. ...
Outside linebacker Nik Bonitto was evaluated for a hip issue. ...
Running back Tyler Badie had 24 yards rushing off six carries and added another 12 yards on two carries before he was evaluated for, and cleared from, a concussion.
Defensive tackle Elijah Garcia had two sacks in a three-play span in the fourth quarter. Cornerback Ja'Quan McMillian and inside linebacker Justin Strnad each had a sack. Matt Henningsen and Bonitto combined for another sack. ...
Besides his miss from 47 yards, Maher had a 52-yard field goal blocked.
Broncos at Cardinals preseason game 1
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