For the first time in the 2026 season, the Denver Broncos played a complete game in all three phases in their 30-16 win over the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday. Besides being tied at 6 in the second quarter, the Broncos led the entire game, keeping the Cardinals at bay out of the end zone.
The Broncos scored 30 points on offense, with quarterback Bo Nix having a historic day with a 50-yard passing and 50-yard rushing touchdown, while Denver had several explosive plays all over the field in both the pass and run game. The Broncos finished with 377 total yards on offense on 56 plays.
On the defensive side of the ball, the Broncos held strong, allowing only one touchdown, and holding the Cardinals to a success rate of just 1-of-5 inside the red zone.
The defense had a great showing against Arizona quarterback Jacoby Brissett, allowing just over 50 percent passing, hitting him 13 times, and sacking him three times. Pass-rusher Nik Bonitto also had a career day, creating 13 pressures alone.
Special teams also got into the act, as returner Marvin Mims broke a long return on a kickoff, and fullback Adam Prentice blocked a punt to set up Nix's touchdown pass. Kicker Wil Lutz also went a perfect 3-for-3 on field goals, and 3-for-3 on extra points.
The Broncos social media team acknowledged the complete game from the team in a post after the game, with a compilation of scenes from the victors' locker room.
Complete team win 🤝
— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) October 26, 2026
Inside the locker room after #DENvsAZ: pic.twitter.com/EadURe8Rfd
Broncos coach Sean Payton was pleased with the team effort in his postgame remarks.
"There were a lot of plays that stood out," Payton said on Sunday. "[Adam] Prentice had the blocked punt in the 3rd quarter, (which) I think led to the third touchdown. It was one of our more complete kicking games. We had a good kick return to start the game with [Marvin] Mims (reaching) midfield. A lot of things I'm sure we'll look at and like.”
In his homecoming to Arizona, All-Pro Zach Allen loved not having a down-to-the-wire one-score game.
"All three phases (of our team) were awesome, and the fact that we were able to get that lead, as a defense, it takes a lot of pressure off of us," Allen said in his postgame remarks. "Hopefully it continues. It’s the NFL, and (there are) a lot of tough teams. A tough one this week. It’s important to be able to win in those one-score games. At the end of the day, you’ll take those two-score, three-score wins.”
The Broncos will certainly take the result from Sunday, especially with the Kansas City Chiefs on deck in Week 8. The bigger hope is that this result may be replicated in the weeks to come.
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This article originally appeared on Broncos Wire: Broncos finally got a complete team win to improve to 5-2
