Defensive Standout Moments from the Denver Broncos' Latest Game

In their latest matchup against the Arizona Cardinals, the Denver Broncos’ defense didn’t just stop plays—they dictated the game’s tempo, turned turnovers into points, and delivered clutch moments that secured a 24-17 victory. For a Broncos team that’s leaned on its defense to overcome offensive inconsistencies all season, this game was a masterclass in resilience and tactical execution. From a fourth-quarter interception that halted a Cardinals comeback to a goal-line stand that preserved a lead, every standout moment reflected the unit’s depth, discipline, and willingness to step up when it mattered most. Defensive Standout Moments from the Denver Broncos' Latest Game breaks down these pivotal plays, the players who made them, and why they’re a sign of the Broncos’ defensive resurgence under coordinator Vance Joseph.

Defensive Standout Moments from the Denver Broncos' Latest Game begins with cornerback Patrick Surtain II’s first-quarter interception— a play that set the tone for the Broncos’ defensive dominance and shifted early momentum in their favor. On the Cardinals’ second drive, quarterback Kyler Murray attempted a deep pass to wide receiver Marquise Brown, targeting the right sideline where Brown was matched up against Surtain. Surtain, a two-time Pro Bowler known for his lockdown coverage, read Murray’s eyes perfectly, broke on the ball, and leaped to intercept it at the Broncos’ 35-yard line—his third interception of the season. What made the play even more impressive was Surtain’s awareness: after securing the interception, he avoided two Cardinals tacklers and returned the ball 12 yards, setting the Broncos’ offense up in prime field position. Three plays later, the Broncos scored a touchdown to take a 7-0 lead. “Patrick’s interception wasn’t just a turnover—it was a statement,” Broncos head coach Sean Payton said after the game. “He told the Cardinals, ‘You’re not going to beat us deep today.’ That’s the kind of play that changes the entire energy of the game.” Surtain finished the game with 4 tackles, 2 pass deflections, and the interception, cementing his status as one of the NFL’s top shutdown corners.

A second defining standout moment came in the second quarter, when the Broncos’ defensive line delivered a three-sack sequence that derailed a Cardinals drive and prevented them from tying the game. With the score 14-7 and the Cardinals driving to the Broncos’ 20-yard line, the Broncos’ pass rush—led by defensive end Zach Allen and defensive tackle D.J. Jones—took over. On first down, Allen beat Cardinals left tackle Paris Johnson Jr. with a quick swim move, sacking Murray for a 6-yard loss. On second down, Jones and defensive end Randy Gregory executed a stunt, with Jones drawing double-team blocking to free up Gregory for a 4-yard sack. On third down, Allen returned, this time using a spin move to get past Johnson and sack Murray again, pushing the Cardinals back to the 36-yard line and forcing a punt. The three-sack sequence marked the first time the Broncos had recorded three sacks on a single drive since 2022, and it showcased the unit’s depth—all three sacks came from different players, highlighting that the Broncos’ pass rush isn’t reliant on one star. “Our defensive line has been building chemistry all season, and tonight it showed,” Allen said. “We feed off each other—when one guy gets a sack, the rest of us want to step up and make a play too. That sequence was about teamwork.” The Cardinals finished the game with just 180 passing yards and were sacked 5 times total, a testament to the Broncos’ consistent pressure.

Defensive Standout Moments from the Denver Broncos' Latest Game also includes the Broncos’ third-quarter goal-line stand— a defensive masterclass that preserved their lead and dealt a crushing blow to the Cardinals’ morale for the Denver Broncos. With the Broncos leading 21-14 and the Cardinals facing first-and-goal from the 2-yard line, the Broncos’ defense dug in. On first down, Cardinals running back James Conner attempted to run up the middle, but Broncos linebacker Alex Singleton met him at the line of scrimmage, dropping him for no gain. On second down, Murray tried to sneak the ball up the middle, but defensive tackle Mike Purcell and linebacker Josey Jewell combined to stop him inches short of the end zone. On third down, the Cardinals called a pass play, but Surtain blanketed Brown in the end zone, forcing Murray to throw the ball away. On fourth down, the Cardinals attempted a trick play—Conner took a handoff and tried to throw a pass to tight end Trey McBride—but Broncos safety Justin Simmons read the play, intercepted Conner’s pass, and returned it 15 yards to the Broncos’ 10-yard line. The goal-line stand not only kept the Cardinals from tying the game but also shifted momentum back to the Broncos, who went on to kick a field goal on their next drive to extend their lead to 24-14. “That’s the kind of stop that defines a defense,” Simmons said. “We knew they were going to throw everything at us, but we stuck to our assignments and trusted each other. For the Denver Broncos, that’s what our defense is all about—stepping up when the game is on the line.”

Another standout moment came in the fourth quarter, when linebacker Alex Singleton’s forced fumble and recovery halted a Cardinals comeback attempt and sealed the win for the Denver Broncos. With 4:30 left in the game and the Cardinals trailing 24-17, they drove to the Broncos’ 30-yard line, threatening to tie the game with a touchdown. On first down, Murray handed off to Conner, who tried to run around the right end. Singleton, who finished the game with a team-high 12 tackles, chased Conner down from behind, wrapped his arms around Conner’s waist, and stripped the ball loose. The fumble bounced into the hands of Broncos defensive end Jonathan Harris, who recovered it at the Broncos’ 32-yard line. The Broncos then ran out the clock, securing the victory. Singleton’s forced fumble was his second of the season, and it highlighted his versatility—he’s not just a tackling machine, but also a playmaker who can create turnovers. “Alex is the heart of our linebacker corps,” Payton said. “He’s always around the ball, and he has a knack for making big plays when we need them most. That forced fumble was the difference between a close game and a win. For the Denver Broncos, having a player like Alex is invaluable.” Singleton’s performance also earned him AFC Defensive Player of the Week honors, the first of his career.

Finally, Defensive Standout Moments from the Denver Broncos' Latest Game wraps up with the Broncos’ fourth-quarter pass defense— a series of crucial stops that prevented the Cardinals from mounting a final comeback and solidified the team’s reputation as a defensive powerhouse for the Denver Broncos. In the game’s final two minutes, the Cardinals had one last chance to tie the game, starting a drive from their own 25-yard line. On first down, Murray attempted a deep pass to Brown, but Surtain broke up the play with a well-timed hit. On second down, Murray tried to connect with McBride over the middle, but Simmons stepped in front of the pass, nearly intercepting it and forcing an incompletion. On third down, the Broncos’ defensive line applied pressure, with Allen sacking Murray for a 8-yard loss, pushing the Cardinals back to their 17-yard line. On fourth down, Murray threw a desperation pass to wide receiver Rondale Moore, but Broncos cornerback Damarri Mathis broke up the play, securing the win. The final drive was a microcosm of the Broncos’ defensive effort all game: they mixed coverage with pressure, stayed disciplined, and didn’t give the Cardinals an inch. “Our defense has been our backbone all season,” Payton said. “Tonight, they showed why—they made every play they needed to make to win. For the Denver Broncos, this game is a reminder of what we can be when we play together. This defense isn’t just good—it’s special.” Defensive Standout Moments from the Denver Broncos' Latest Game ultimately shows that while offense may win fans, defense wins games—and the Broncos’ defense is built to win when it matters most.