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.