Broncos keep playoff hopes alive, beat up Cards
Cutler outduels Leinart, throws 2 TDs in Denver's 37-20 victory
GLENDALE, Ariz. - Jay Cutler has his first NFL victory as a starter, and Matt Leinart has more than a few aches and pains thanks to the Denver defense.
Cutler threw two touchdown passes and the Broncos (8-6) beat the Arizona Cardinals 37-20 on Sunday to snap a four-game losing streak and keep their playoff hopes alive.
In a matchup of rookie quarterbacks expected to have big NFL futures, Cutler got the best of it, throwing a 54-yard touchdown pass to Javon Walker on the Broncos’ third play from scrimmage. He later added a 10-yard scoring pass to Rod Smith.
In his third start, Cutler completed 21 of 31 passes for 261 yards and was intercepted once. Leinart was 20-of-35 for 214 yards with no touchdowns and two interceptions for the Cardinals (4-10). He was sacked three times and hit as he threw on several other occasions.
Another rookie, Mike Bell, had a pair of 1-yard TD runs and Jason Elam kicked three field goals in Denver’s highest-scoring performance of the season.
