Arizona Cardinals claim last-second victory over Denver Broncos

An 18-yard touchdown pass from Arizona's David Blough to Brian Cobbs with 2 seconds remaining set up a 2-point conversion to decide the game.

Although it initially looked like he was stopped at the line, Emari Demercado pushed through for the successful conversion and a 18-17 victory for the Cardinals on Friday night at State Farm Stadium.

Just 90 seconds earlier, it appeared as though the preseason victory would belong to the Denver Broncos.

Denver scored with a 4-yard run by Jaleel McLaughlin with 1 minute 30 seconds left on the clock to take a 17-10 lead over the Arizona Cardinals.

The Denver touchdown was set up by a 22-yard defensive pass interference call against Arizona's Antonio Hamilton. The 12-play drive covered 65 yards. McLaughlin accounted for 31 of those yards.

Clayton Tune quarterbacked the Cardinals most of the game. He finished 13-for-23 for 135 yards with a touchdown and an interception. Blough was 8-for-14 for 86 yards and a TD, while Colt McCoy, who only played the first series, was 4-for-4 for 17 yards.

The Cardinals finished with 101 rushing yards with 51 of those coming on 10 carries from Ty'Son Williams.

Daniel Arias (3-49), Andre Baccellia (3-45) and Blake Whiteheart (5-42) were the Cardinals leading receivers.

Cardinals tie it up

A 7-yard pass from Clayton Tune to Kaden Davis and an extra point by Matt Prater allowed the Arizona Cardinals to tie the game at 10-all.

The Cardinals trailed 10-0 at the half.

The 10-play, 58-yard drive took more than 5 minutes off the clock. Highlights of the drive included a 16-yard pass to Davion Davis and a 17-yard pass to Daniel Arias.

Tune is 13-for-23 passing for 135 yards with in touchdown and one interception.

End of three quarters

The Cardinals face a third-and-3 from the Denver 35 as the fourth quarter opens.

Arizona trails Denver 10-3. The Cardinals began this possession at their own 34 after a 52-yard field goal attempt by the Broncos was blocked.

Arizona finds a spark

Antonio Hamilton ended a promising Denver possession and put the ball back in the hands of the Cardinals offense with his interception at the Arizona 28 early in the third quarter.

The Cardinals used 10 plays to go 48 yards to set up a Matt Prater 38-yard field goal.

Broncos 10, Cardinals 3, 7:23 third

Cardinals trail at the half

Denver kicked a 55-yard field goal with 11 seconds left in the first half to take a 10-0 lead over the Arizona Cardinals.

Arizona called a timeout just prior to the field goal, which allowed them to get the ball one final time in the half. They had nothing to show for it as the return to the Arizona 24 was followed by a single play — a knee.

The Broncos will receive the ball to start the second half.

Broncos 7, Cardinals 0

After a pair of missed field goals, the Denver Broncos left the ball in the hands of Russell Wilson when facing a fourth-and-4 from the Arizona 21.

Wilson found Jerry Jeudy across the field for the 21-yard touchdown. The point after attempt by Brett Maher was good for the 7-0 lead with 6:54 remaining in the first half.

Cardinals miss a field goal

Matt Prater attempted a 53-yard field goal for the Cardinals, but missed it wide left.

It was the first miss of the game for the Cardinals.

Clayton Tune was the quarterback for the Arizona series. He is 5-for-9 for 48 yards with an interception.

Broncos miss (another) field goal

Elliot Fry lined up a 50-yard field goal for the Broncos in the opening minutes of the second quarter, but couldn't put it through the uprights.

It was the second missed field goal for Denver in as many possessions.

The game remains scoreless and the Cardinals take over at their own 40-yard line.

Broncos miss field goal

A 47-yard field goal attempt by Broncos' kicker Brett Maher was wide. The game remains scoreless with 3 minutes left in the first quarter.

The Broncos started the possession in Cardinals territory after Clayton Tune's pass intended for Rondale Moore was intercepted by Essang Bassey and returned to the Arizona 41.

Cardinals receive opening kickoff

The Arizona Cardinals won the coin toss and received the ball to start the game.

Colt McCoy started at quarterback and picked up a first down with a scramble. He was 4-for-4 passing for 17 yards on the short drive that ended with a punt.

When given it's turn, the Cardinals defense stepped up. Against Denver quarterback Russel Wilson, the Cardinals forced a three-and-out. Wilson was 0-for-2.

Pregame

There will be plenty to look for in the preseason game with a new coaching staff in place. The game marks the start of the Jonathan Gannon Era.

The Broncos are a 5-point favorite.

Fans attending the game, could have gotten a bargain at the box office as they were selling for less than the cost of a hotdog and Coke.

What to know about the Arizona Cardinals

More: From the Dominican Republic, Cardinals' Daniel Arias off to good start in quest for NFL job

On the field: Cardinals top draft pick Paris Johnson Jr. is dangerous at right tackle

Injury update: Arizona Cardinals RB Marlon Mack has torn Achilles, is out for the entire 2023 season

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: NFL preseason: Cardinals claim last-second victory over Broncos