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Arizona Cardinals Lose Final Preseason Game To Broncos

Ryan Lindley had his ups and downs as the Arizona Cardinals could not hold on to a 10-0 lead. The Cardinals ended up losing 16-13 in the final seconds to the Denver Broncos.

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19 Total Updates since August 24, 2012
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Cardinals Lose To Broncos 16-13 In Final Seconds

The Cardinals began the second half of their final preseason game with Richard Bartel at quarterback. Bartel had not seen action in the last two preseason games and was sacked on his first play from scrimmage.

Former ASU quarterback Brock Osweiler started the second half for the Broncos, and was intercepted by Crezdon Butler in only his third pass attempt of the game.

During the Cardinals second possession, Bartel was sacked for the second time, after completing a 52-yard pass to Isaiah Williams down the middle of the field. Bartel was injured on the play and left the game 4-5 for 92 yards. Jay Feely finished the Cardinals drive with a 41-yard field goal to give the Cardinals a 10-0 lead.

The Broncos fourth round draft pick out of Arizona State, Omar Bolden, ran back the ensuing kickoff back for a 103 yard touchdown. The Broncos later tied the game at 10-10 on a 14-play, 94-yard drive led by Osweiler. On the Cardinals next possession, Ryan Lindley had his pass intercepted, and the Broncos capitalized by kicking a 43-yard field goal, giving them a 13-10 lead.

Lindley struggled early in the second half, but hit Isaiah Williams for a 56 yard completion, taking the ball down to the Broncos 13 yard line with 2:12 left in the game. The Cardinals could only come away with a 35-yard field goal to tie the score at 13-13 with 57 seconds left in the game.

Broncos third quarterback on the night, Adam Weber, came in and hit Greg Orton for a 45-yard completion. After downing the ball in the middle of the field, Matt Prater drilled a 44-yard field goal to give the Broncos the 16-13 victory as time ran off the clock. Just another disappointing ending, as the Cardinals defense could not stop the Broncos in the second half.

Ryan Lindley finished the game 14-26 for 176 yards with one touchdown and one interception. The Cardinals running game was ineffective in the second half, as they could only garner 17 total yards. Receivers Isaiah Williams, LaRon Byrd, and DeMarco Sampson all had three receptions on the night, but all three also made their share of mistakes. Justin Bethel led the defense with seven tackles. Blake Gideon finished with four tackles, and the Cardinals defense ended with five sacks and one interception.

Now it's time for the Cardinals to select their starting quarterback and begin the regular season.

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Arizona Cardinals Vs. Denver Broncos Game Preview: Brock On

It's the preseason finale for both the Arizona Cardinals and Denver Broncos, the most meaningless game of the entire preseason and regular season, and yet the Cardinals have managed to make this one intriguing.

But let's start with the Broncos. Locals will be happy to see an old friend back in town, well, a few old friends. Quarterback Brock Osweiler, wide receiver Gerell Robinson and cornerback Omar Bolden return to the Valley for the first time for a game since they were Arizona State Sun Devils in 2011.

The Cardinals, of course, still have yet to name a starting quarterback for the regular season. You might think that Kevin Kolb and John Skelton will get another shot to compete in the preseason finale, yet neither are expected to play. If that's the case, then this game is more for the roster spot battles at other positions.

So what we could be left with is a battle of two teams who competed for the service of one Peyton Manning, the Cardinals and Broncos. And Manning, a Bronco, will likely not play.

Now what is left? Cardinals fans can watch Ryan Lindley, the No. 3 quarterback, try to make plays behind an offensive line that has struggled mightily in the preseason. Maybe someone, perhaps a backup (Senio Kelemete?) on the O-line will emerge as more reliable.

Denver is 1-2, the Cardinals 1-3. It doesn't sound so great, especially with ASU opening its season right around the same time across the Valley in Tempe. But Osweiler, with a good showing, just might win himself a place right behind Manning on the Denver depth chart.

Bottom line: This game will decide whom the final roster cuts will be for both teams, and whom the coaching staffs feel is NFL-ready.

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Cardinals Roster 2012: Levi Brown's Injury Complicates Offensive Line

Losing LT Levi Brown for the season as impacted the entire offensive line for the Cardinals.

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2012 Cardinals Depth Chart: Ken Whisenhunt Picks Tackles For Denver Game

The Arizona Cardinals are still trying to figure who to start at quarterback, but at least head coach Ken Whisenhunt is getting his offensive line figured out. Whisenhunt indicated on Tuesday that D'Anthony Batiste and Bobby Massie will be the starting tackles for Arizona's final preseason game against the Denver Broncos, according to azcardinals.com.

Whisenhunt liked what he saw from the two tackles against the Tennessee Titans, and that influenced his decision.

"The line did a nice job once we got stabilized after the start in Tennessee – ran the ball very well, protected it well," Whisenhunt said. "We’ve got to see if we can carry it forward."

Batiste is in his seventh season. He has four career starts in 22 games. Massie is a rookie out of Ole Miss. He was drafted by the Cardinals in the 4th round.

For more on the Cardinals, head to Revenge Of The Birds. For updates throughout Arizona's preseason, stick with this StoryStream.

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Ken Whisenhunt Doesn't Know Yet How He Will Handle QBs, Talks Beanie Wells, Offensive Line

Ken Whisenhunt talks about his team the day after the loss to the Titans.

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