The Denver Broncos improved to 5-2 on Sunday with a 30-16 win over the Arizona Cardinals in Glendale, extending their winning streak to three games. The game also produced several firsts for the 2026 season: a long touchdown run by quarterback Bo Nix, an efficient day on the ground, and a victory by more than one score.

Offensive identity remains a work in progress for Denver. Play-calling duties moved from offensive coordinator Davis Webb back to head coach Sean Payton four games into the year, and Nix has been slower to find his form than many expected. Against Arizona, though, the Broncos showed pieces of what could work. They completed four passes of 20 yards or more, after Nix had managed only three such throws in the previous three games combined. They also avoided turnovers, and Nix's 62-yard touchdown run helped lift the team to 6.1 yards per carry.

Third down is still a concern. In the three games since Payton resumed play-calling, Denver has converted only 7 of 37 attempts, or 18.9%.

Two players stood out. Rookie running back Jonah Coleman, a fourth-round pick, returned after missing four games on injured reserve with an ankle injury. He gained 6 yards per carry on nine touches, caught both of his targets for 15 yards and played on third down. Of his 19 carries this season, five have gone for 10 yards or more, three of them against Arizona. J.K. Dobbins has five such runs on 87 carries, though he scored for a third straight game. "We've got to get him more touches, definitely," Payton said of Coleman.

Receiver Marvin Mims Jr. also made an impact despite limited snaps. He entered the game with five catches for 29 yards this season, then hauled in a deep pass from Nix and raced 47 yards. "The best offenses in the league are explosive offenses," Mims said. Nix also connected with Jaylen Waddle on a 27-yard seam throw from the pocket. A reverse call late in the game lost 11 yards and left Waddle hurt. Payton later called the play "dumb" and "awful."

The defense again played well without star cornerback Pat Surtain II, who has missed seven games since the start of the 2024 season. Denver is 7-0 in those games and has allowed 14 points per game on average. Safety Talanoa Hufanga was out for a second straight week, and practice squad safety Taylor Rapp filled in, crediting defensive coordinator Vance Joseph for his ability to teach the game clearly.

Arizona tight end Trey McBride caught 10 passes for 111 yards and a touchdown, but the Cardinals otherwise struggled. They scored one red zone touchdown in five trips, went 5 of 17 on third down and ran for 94 yards. Denver hit quarterback Jacoby Brissett 13 times, and the defense stopped Arizona on seven straight goal-to-go snaps to close the game. Linebacker Alex Singleton finished with 19 tackles, including a 4-yard sack on the final series.

Orange dominated the crowd of 64,781 at State Farm Stadium, with Denver fans making up a majority and perhaps as much as 75% of the stands. "I didn't know it was a road game," Singleton said. The crowd also cheered Larry Fitzgerald at halftime, when the Cardinals retired his jersey number and inducted him into their ring of fame.

Denver was flagged a season-high 11 times for 114 yards, and Payton made clear he was unhappy with how the officiating crew led by Craig Wrolstad handled the game. The Broncos now turn to a home matchup with Kansas City on Sunday, when Surtain could return.