Zach Wilson leads the Broncos’ backups to a 38-12 win over the Cardinals in preseason finale

Zach Wilson jumpstarted a landing drive with a 21-yard scramble and threw a 46-yard TD move to Brandon Johnson because the Denver Broncos wrapped up an ideal preseason with a 38-12 walloping of the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday.

Jarrett Stidham began for Denver (3-0) and directed a landing drive capped by rookie working again Audric Estime’s 3-yard rating on his solely possession earlier than becoming a member of newly-named starter Bo Nix on the sideline as Wilson obtained his most intensive motion of the summer season.

Wilson, the previous second total draft decide by the Jets in 2021, has 33 profession NFL begins and that have confirmed when he sparked an 11-play, 77-yard landing drive with a powerful scramble from his personal 13 on second-and-20. He completed that drive with a 1-yard landing toss to tight finish Nate Atkins that gave Denver a 14-0 lead.

Wilson’s 1-yard keeper capped an 88-yard drive that made it 24-6 within the third quarter and he discovered Johnson from 46 yards out with 6:22 remaining.

Wilson completed 16 of 25 for 251 yards, two TDs and no interceptions.

Broncos coach Sean Payton would like to maintain all three QBs on his 53-man roster Tuesday, however which may rely on Stidham taking a paycut from his $5 million wage.

Clayton Tune and Desmond Ridder cut up snaps of their last audition to function Kyler Murray’s backup in Arizona (0-3). Tune was 12 of 18 for 119 yards with no touchdowns, an interceptions and a pair of sacks by Jordan Jackson.

Ridder was 10 of 16 for 111 yards in aid of Tune when he went to the medical tent within the closing minutes following a tough hit. Tune went again in and on his first snap threw an interception that linebacker Levelle Bailey returned 96 yards for a landing.

Denver DB Kedron Smith recorded his third takeaway of the preseason when he recovered Tony Jones Jr.’s fumble on the Denver 3. Jones was knocked from the sport with a shoulder harm on the play.

Matt Prater’s 50-yarder as the primary half expired made it 14-3. He tacked on a 24-yarder and Haassan Corridor accounted for Arizona’s solely landing with a 3-yard run within the fourth quarter that made it 24-12. The two-point strive was unsuccessful.

Accidents

Denver DB Damarri Mathis, who began 17 video games during the last two seasons, injured his proper ankle on a sort out on the sport’s second play from scrimmage and was carted off. Broncos LB Durell Nchami left the sport with a pulled hamstring. Cardinals CBs Divaad Wilson (wrist), Elijah Jones (ankle) and Darren Corridor (hip) all obtained damage and Cardinals TE Sage Surratt (ankle) left within the third quarter. O-lineman Christian Jones was carted off within the waning minutes with an unspecified harm.

Up subsequent

Cardinals: Common-season opener Sept. 8 at Buffalo.

Seahawks: Common-season opener Sept. 8 at Seattle.

By ARNIE STAPLETON