Week 15 Game Recap: Denver Broncos 37, Arizona Cardinals 20

What you need to know

Denver Broncos

Perhaps the Denver Broncos have found the dominant team they were earlier in the year. After starting the year 7-2, the Broncos had lost four games in a row. For this contest, they put together all facets of the game and totally dominated. This win pushed Denver strongly back into the playoff picture. They can again control their playoff destiny by winning their remaining games. Each of their upcoming games will be essential for them and will demand a solid effort from all of their primary players.

After losing in his first two professional starts, rookie quarterback Jay Cutler is justifying the trust that head coach Mike Shanahan displayed when he changed starting quarterbacks in the middle of the season. Cutler has now passed for two touchdowns in each of his three professional quarterback starts. Cutler looked good passing for the two touchdowns and 261 yards. Mike Bell had a successful return to his hometown of Phoenix as he ran for 61 yards on 16 carries and scored two rushing touchdowns.

Cutler is enjoying the benefits of having an exceptional wide receiver trio. Javon Walker, Brandon Marshall, and Rod Smith were each targeted regularly for good yardage totals.

The Denver defense dominated the Cardinals’ rushing and passing attacks. They repeatedly denied Arizona from mounting a sustained attack. A little bit of trouble completing drives in the first half and a costly fumble that led to a Cardinals’ defensive touchdown were all that stopped a Broncos’ runaway from start to finish. Quincy Morgan came off a long stint on the inactive list and was impressive returning kickoffs for over 150 yards. He made a good statement and stands to see more playing time after this performance.

Arizona Cardinals

The Cardinals can now play for their pride and look forward to planning for next year. The rumors have begun that Coach Green’s head coaching position may be in jeopardy. The Cardinals are now 4-10 and far beyond dreams of participating in the playoffs. They do have hopes for the future with a strong cast of position players returning.

Rookie quarterback Matt Leinart had a very rough outing as he was harassed and hit often while being sacked three times. Twice he was intercepted by Champ Bailey. He also fumbled two times. He did not offer much of a threat versus the Broncos’ pass defense.

With the passing offense sputtering, Arizona could not find the room to get their rushing offense untracked either. Edgerrin James was held to 63 yards although he did manage to rush for the only Arizona offensive touchdown of the day. Arizona’s impressive pair of top wide receivers, Anquan Boldin and Larry Fitzgerald, were bottled up for most of the game and only picked up decent statistics late in the game after the contest was out of reach and firmly in the control of Denver.

In addition to numerous turnovers, Arizona hurt themselves repeatedly with untimely penalties and with dropped passes. On one key play in the third quarter, Neil Rackers made a 40 yard field goal, which was nullified by a holding penalty. Then on the second try he missed a 50 yard attempt. On the very next Arizona possession, Bryant Johnson dropped what should have been a 20 yard touchdown reception and Rackers then had to kick a field goal.

What you ought to know

QB Jay Cutler, Pass: 21 - 31 - 261 - 2 TD / 1 INT, Rush: 3 - 10 - 0

Rookie Jay Cutler had his first win as a starter as he demonstrates greater confidence and improvement each week. Through his three starts, he has connected for two touchdowns in each game. Cutler is showing excellent poise and accuracy as the starter and it appears that he could be the franchise in Denver for years to come. He finished with 261 yards through the air while completing 68% of his passes. He also showed he is not afraid to run with the ball.

RB Tatum Bell, Rush: 18 - 29 - 0, Rec: 2 - 12 - 0 (2 targets)

Bell did not see as much action in this contest as his counterpart, Mike Bell. Tatum Bell finished up with 29 yards on the ground and another 12 yards through the air, catching both balls thrown his way.

RB Mike Bell, Rush: 16 - 61 - 2

Rookie Mike Bell enjoyed an excellent day playing for the first time in front of his hometown fans in Phoenix as a professional. Bell only ran for 61 yards on his 16 carries but he scored two touchdowns. His only blemish was a fumble he had in the fourth quarter. Fortunately for him it was recovered by Denver. Coach Shanahan showed faith in the rookie and four plays later, Bell took it in for a score.

RB Kyle Johnson, Rec: 1 - 2 - 0 (2 targets)

Fullback Kyle Johnson was primarily used for blocking. He caught one of the two passes thrown his way for only two yards.

WR Brandon Marshall, Rush: 1 - 6 - 0, Rec: 5 - 58 - 0 (7 targets)

The feeling is that there could be a great, long term receiving combination in the making here. Rookie receiver Brandon Marshall is developing into a favorite target for his rookie quarterback. He tied Javon Walker for the most receptions by a Broncos player in this game with five catches, accumulating 58 yards.

WR Javon Walker, Rec: 5 - 84 - 1 (7 targets)

Walker helped get Cutler and the Broncos started off right. On the third play of the game, he got out in front of two defenders for a 54 yard touchdown pass. His speed and strength make him a dependable and potent threat for the Broncos passing attack.

WR Rod Smith, Rec: 4 - 40 - 1 (8 targets)

The consummate professional, Rod Smith, is still getting it done with style on the field. He was the most often targeted receiver by Cutler while pulling in four passes for 40 yards and one touchdown.

WR Nate Jackson, Rec: 1 - 7 - 0 (1 targets)

Jackson was targeted only one time, but he did pull in the pass for positive yardage. He provided another option that the Cardinals had to be aware of as he was one of eight targeted receivers for the Broncos.

TE Tony Scheffler, Rec: 3 - 58 - 0 (4 targets)

Scheffler is a rookie making an impact for the Broncos’ offense. He is coming on stronger and pulled in three of the four passes thrown his way for an impressive 58 yards, with much of the yardage coming after the catch.

TE Stephen Alexander (1 targets)

Alexander did not have a noticeable impact in this contest. He was targeted with one pass but did not have a reception.

PK Jason Elam 3 - 3 FG, 4 - 4 XP, 13 points

Elam had an excellent day, converting on all seven of his scoring kicks, three for field goals and four for extra points. He showed no ill effects from the muscle strain he recently suffered while trying to run for the first down on a fake field goal in an earlier contest.

DEN Rush Defense

The Broncos’ rush defense was mostly able to hold Arizona’s rush attack in check. Leinart escaped from them for 23 yards on three carries and they allowed one rushing touchdown, but they prevented big plays and any rushing consistency.

DEN Pass Defense

The Denver pass defense looked good like they had looked earlier in the year. They were always in control, preventing Leinart from any consistency until after the game was decided. Champ Bailey intercepted Leinart twice and the defensive line hurried Leinart all afternoon.

QB Matt Leinart, Pass: 20 - 35 - 214 - 0 TD / 2 INT, Rush: 3 - 23 - 0

Leinart stated during the week that he would challenge the heart of the Broncos’ defense and take it straight to Denver cornerback Champ Bailey. As most quarterbacks who do throw to Bailey’s side learn, that is not a good idea. Bailey picked him off twice. That turned a disappointing day for Leinart into a dismal outing he would probably rather forget. Leinart had a 57% completion rating and collected 214 yards but most of his best yardage came after the game was decided in garbage time. In the first contest between 2006 first round draft choices Leinart and Cutler, Leinart came up short.

RB Edgerrin James, Rush: 14 - 63 - 1, Rec: 2 - 9 - 0 (3 targets)

James was somewhat effective rushing gaining 63 yards on only 14 attempts while scoring the only offensive touchdown of the game. He also caught two of the three passes intended for him. Forced into a catch-up role, Arizona did not seem to have the opportunity to utilize him fully.

RB Obafemi Ayanbadejo, Rush: 1 - 11 - 0, Rec: 2 - 10 - 0 (2 targets)

Fullback Ayanbadejo had a good day blocking, catching both passes thrown to him, and running once for 11 yards.

RB J.J. Arrington, Rush: 1 - -2 - 0

Arrington’s only production was as a kickoff returner. However he was very effective in that role finishing with almost 150 yards on six returns.

WR Anquan Boldin, Rush: 1 - 5 - 0, Rec: 5 - 60 - 0 (11 targets)

Boldin was the most targeted receiver in the game. He corralled five of the eleven balls thrown to him, for a respectable 60 yards. However most of that were late in the game with the outcome pretty much decided. He was effectively blanketed early on in the contest.

WR Larry Fitzgerald, Rec: 5 - 77 - 0 (6 targets)

Fitzgerald was seldom open early in the contest but managed to recover somewhat with five receptions out of six passes aimed in his direction for an impressive 77 yards. But like the other Cardinals’ receivers, it was too little, too late.

WR Troy Walters, Rec: 2 - 14 - 0 (3 targets)

Walters caught as many passes as Bryant Johnson did but he seemed to be more sure handed in this contest. He was targeted three times.

WR Bryant Johnson, Rec: 2 - 33 - 0 (5 targets)

Johnson only held onto two of the three passes Leinart meant for him and one of his misses was a drop that should have been a touchdown. In a gross understatement, he did not have a good day.

TE Leonard Pope, Rec: 2 - 11 - 0 (2 targets)

Pope caught both passes thrown his way, but was held in check quickly after each catch and not allowed to pick up additional yardage.

PK Neil Rackers 2 - 3 FG, 2 - 2 XP, 8 points

Rackers missed a perfect day of kicking for points by one holding penalty. He kicked one field goal for 40 yards but saw the points taken away on an Arizona holding penalty. On the subsequent 50 yard attempt, he missed wide to the left. He made his other two field goal attempts and both extra point tries.

ARI Rush Defense

The Arizona rushing defense allowed just over 100 yards and two touchdowns on the ground. They did give Arizona early hope when they forced a fumble by Tatum Bell and defensive end Antonio Smith picked it up and rumbled four yards in for the score.

ARI Pass Defense

The Cardinals’ pass defense was victimized by rookie Jay Cutler making just the third professional start of his career. They managed one sack on Cutler and collected one interception, but this day belonged to Cutler and Arizona could not successfully defend him. They allowed Cutler to complete 21 of 31 passes for 261 yards including two passing scores.