7 things we learned from the Broncos 30-16 over the Cardinals

GLENDALE, ARIZONA - OCTOBER 25: RJ Harvey #12 of the Denver Broncos celebrates with Jaylen Waddle #17 after scoring a touchdown against the Arizona Cardinals during the third quarter at State Farm Stadium on October 25, 2026 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) | Getty Images That was the Bo Nix and the Denver Broncos we’re accustomed to seeing.The Broncos dominated in a 30-16 win over the Arizona Cardinals, improving their record to 5-2.It’s what you would call a get-right game for Denver’s offense, and it was the most complete game of the season.Here’s what we learned from Sunday’s win over the Cardinals.Bo Nix was fantasticThis was a get-right game for the Broncos offense, but it was that for Nix in a big way. I’m sure it was still disrespectful, though.In all seriousness, that was the best game Nix has played this season. He was simply fantastic against an Arizona defense that shut down Matthew Stafford last week. Nix finished the game 15-for-29 passing for 222 yards and a touchdown. The Broncos quarterback also had seven carries for 73 yards, including a 62-yard touchdown run in the second quarter. It was that run where Nix finally showed off the running capability. It also sparked him and the offense in the second half. There are still some areas for Nix to improve upon, and he was far from perfect, but this was the game that he needed.Denver’s offense was balanced and effectiveIt helps to have your quarterback play his best game of the season, but the whole offense was much better against the Cardinals on Sunday. It didn’t start that way, especially in the first quarter. But after Nix’s rushing touchdown, the offense finally clicked. The Broncos had four possessions in the second half, three resulted in points, and two ended in touchdowns. By the way, the 52-yard touchdown by RJ Harvey was the perfect play call by Sean Payton. And it was a great execution by Nix and Harvey, as well as the offensive line and the rest of the offense, to get that into the end zone.The offense must improve on third down (3-for-11), but Denver ran a balanced attack on Sunday. The Broncos had 56 total plays, resulting in 29 passes and 26 rushes.Jonah Coleman is your No. 1 running backIf there was any doubt Coleman needs to be the No. 1 running back for Denver, it’s gone. The rookie was outstanding on Sunday. He finally got the running game going for the Broncos. Coleman also picked up a blitzer in pass protection. The rookie running back had nine carries for 54 yards, averaging six yards per carry. Coleman also had two receptions for 15 yards.As Payton said to the media after the game, “Got to get him more touches. Definitely.” Nik Bonitto brought the pressureDon’t let the sack numbers fool you, Nik Bonitto was unreal on Sunday. While Bonitto didn’t record any sacks, just one quarterback hit, and one tackle, he finished with a career-high 13 QB pressures. That’s the most in the NFL since Nick Bosa in Week 6 2024, when he got 14. Speaking of the defense … Defense brought the prideIt may not have seemed like much, but I loved the Denver defense standing tall and keeping the Cardinals out of the end zone late in the game. For the rest of the game, the Broncos did what they do and pressured the quarterback. Denver finished with three sacks and 13 quarterback hits. Malcome Roach led the way for the Broncos with four QB hits, three tackles, one sack, one tackle for loss, and one pass defended. Alex Singleton did his thingEntering Sunday’s game, the Broncos linebacker led the NFL in tackling. His game on Sunday won’t hurt him. And he just does what he does. Singleton had 19 tackles (12 solo), two QB hits, one sack, and one tackle for loss. NFL officiating is just badThe refs hate for Riley Moss continues. How in the hell is this DPI??pic.twitter.com/rE18DnYURF— MileHighReport (@MileHighReport) October 25, 2026This could be an evergreen statement and included in every one of these, but Sunday was bad. And it’s not just bad penalties, they’re seeing things that aren’t even penalties now. This is not to excuse the Broncos and their 11 penalties, but come on. As Payton said to the media after the game:“I am never going to criticize the officials. At one point, I said, ‘You are doing your best to turn the TV audience off. You are on a roll.”