Arizona Cardinals Continue to Trail 21-13 at Halftime

Oct 5, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; Arizona Cardinals quarterback Drew Stanton (5) prepares to pass in the first quarter against the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

The Arizona Cardinals appeared they may be able to take the lead in the second quarter after Jerraud Powers was able to pick Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning off.  The Cards were unable to score off that turnover but did get points off Manning’s second interception.

The Broncos were able to drive down after the field and get a touchdown to make the game 14-6.  The Broncos got the ball back after the Cards punted to them.  Manning tried to throw a screen pass but was intercepted by defensive end Calais Campbell.  He returned the ball to Denver’s five yard line.  On the next play, running back Andre Ellington scored his first touchdown of the season to make the game 14-13.

The Cards failed to score on the next drive as receiver John Brown failed to catch an easy pass on third and four.  On Denver’s first play of the ensuing drive, it was 21-13 thanks to an Demaryius Thomas 86 yard touchdown catch.

The Cards gave Manning and Denver too many opportunities, ones I’ve been warning about for two weeks.  They couldn’t convert scoring drives into touchdowns, instead twice having to settle for field goals.  Against many teams you can get away with that.  Not the Broncos, especially in Denver.