Cardinals get thrashed by Broncos
Quick recap: The start was bad, and it got worse. The Cardinals were stomped 45-10 by the Broncos at State Farm Stadium on Thursday in their worst home loss since 2003.
With the nationally televised loss, the Cardinals drop to 1-6.
Josh Rosen threw for 194 yards, one touchdown and three interceptions, including two in the first quarter. Christian Kirk led all Cardinals receivers with 57 yards.
Case Keenum threw for 161 yards and a touchdown. Emmanuel Sanders threw for a 28-yard touchdown and was on the receiving end of a 64-yard score.
Coming into the game, the Broncos defense had been allowing a leaguehigh 161.3 rushing yards per game. The Cardinals were only able to gain 69 yards on the ground.
Turning point: It's hard to call an opening drive a turning point, but the Cardinals never seemed to be in it again. The Cardinals received the opening kick, and David Johnson ran for no gain on the first play of the drive. Then, the Cardinals burned a time out. After the chance to regroup, rookie quarterback Josh Rosen threw a picksix, his first of two in the half. Linebacker Todd Davis intercepted the tipped pass and ran it 20 yards back to get Denver on the scoreboard less than a minute into the game. The Cardinals offense would immediately get another chance, but they went three-andout, foreshadowing an offense that faltered all night.
Star of the game: The Broncos defense, led by pass rusher Von Miller, battered Rosen and the Cardinals all night. Three different players intercepted Rosen and he was sacked six times. Miller talked about how his team would dominate heading into the game, and he backed it up by forcing two fumbles.
Key injuries: Right guard Justin Pugh never entered the game, and the offensive line struggled throughout. Ricky Seals-Jones injured his forearm trying to recover a fumble by Rosen.
Up next: The Cardinals have nine days to get ready for their next game, a home tilt with the San Francisco 49ers. The Cardinals tallied their first, and only, win of the season against the 49ers, who take on the Rams this Sunday. Kickoff is at 1:25 p.m.