**
DENVER —** In what has become a weekly development, the Broncos edge rushers clawed their way into opposing backfields to create havoc in the first half.
Linebackers Shaquil Barrett, Shane Ray and Todd Davis got to Cardinals reserve quarterback Phillip Sims for three sacks in the first quarter. The solo sacks brought Barrett's preseason total to three, Ray's to 2.5 and Davis' sack was his first.
Ray's sack from the blind side also forced a fumble, which Barrett nearly picked up on the first hop with a clear path to the end zone. But the ball slipped out and DE Vance Walker came up with the recovery.
Davis then sacked Sims shortly afterward to end the first quarter.
At the end of the first stanza, the Cardinals had one first down, two net yards and negative 12 net yards passing.
The Broncos got an early start on the Cardinals in the first half, securing a 13-10 lead.
