Sports · October 26, 2026

Broncos Beat Cardinals 30–16: Bo Nix's 62-Yard TD Run Sparks Denver

Two explosive touchdowns gave Denver separation in Arizona and delivered its third consecutive win.

By NewsTrendus Editorial Desk · October 26, 2026 · Independently written from credited sources · Representative editorial photograph

Representative photograph of players in an American football game; not the Denver Broncos versus Arizona Cardinals game

Representative editorial photograph, not the reported game or players. Photo: David Morris / Pexels (Pexels free-use license).

At a glance: Denver defeated Arizona 30–16 on October 25, improving to 5–2. Bo Nix broke loose for a 62-yard touchdown run, and RJ Harvey scored on a 52-yard catch-and-run.

GLENDALE, Ariz., Oct. 25, 2026 — The Denver Broncos used two long touchdowns and another strong defensive performance to beat the Arizona Cardinals 30–16 on Sunday at State Farm Stadium. The victory was Denver's third in a row and its first win by more than one possession this season.

Broncos vs. Cardinals score: Explosive plays made the difference

Denver had struggled to turn drives into touchdowns at times this season, but two exceptional gains transformed Sunday's game. Quarterback Bo Nix ran 62 yards for a touchdown in the second quarter, moving Denver ahead 13–6. The play began as a dropback before Nix spotted open space and accelerated through the middle of Arizona's defense.

In the third quarter, Nix found RJ Harvey on a short screen pass. Harvey followed his blockers and took the ball 52 yards for a touchdown, extending Denver's lead to 20–6. Those two plays generated 14 points without requiring long sequences of successful short gains.

Bo Nix, RJ Harvey and Denver's offensive numbers

Nix finished with 222 passing yards on 15 completions in 29 attempts. He also contributed substantial rushing production, including the career-long 62-yard score. Harvey's touchdown was the longest play of his NFL career, according to the Broncos' official recap.

J.K. Dobbins added a short touchdown run as Denver continued to protect its advantage. The Broncos reported 377 net yards of offense and five different players with gains of at least 20 yards. The variety of big plays matters because defenses cannot concentrate exclusively on one receiver or one type of run.

Why Arizona could not complete a comeback

Arizona remained within reach when Jacoby Brissett found tight end Trey McBride for a seven-yard touchdown in the third quarter, cutting Denver's lead to 20–13. The Broncos responded with another scoring drive and did not let the Cardinals get closer.

Brissett passed for 272 yards and a touchdown, while McBride caught 10 passes for 111 yards. But the Cardinals converted only five of 17 third downs. Denver's defense recorded 12 quarterback hits and three sacks, making it difficult for Arizona to turn possession into enough points.

Standings impact and what comes next

Denver improved to 5–2 and Arizona fell to 2–5. For the Broncos, the significance goes beyond a third straight win: they demonstrated that their offense can create separation rather than rely entirely on close finishes. The Cardinals will need more consistent execution in scoring situations after another frustrating home result.

The final Broncos–Cardinals score was 30–16. Denver's two touchdowns of more than 50 yards were the defining moments of the afternoon, supported by a defense that repeatedly forced Arizona into difficult third-down situations.

Sources and verification

NewsTrendus independently wrote this report using the primary team or league records and corroborating game coverage linked below. The photograph is licensed representative imagery and does not show the teams or game described here.

Editorial note: Game details reflect reports available on October 26, 2026. If official statistics are later corrected, please use the NewsTrendus contact page.