The backup quarterback role gained some clarity, a mostly unknown wide receiver broke into the spotlight and reserve defenders flexed their strength in a first-half shutout.

But the greatest cause for excitement on Thursday night at Broncos Stadium? Following six weeks of practice and five exhibition games the preseason is mercifully over after a 20-7 Broncos victory against the Cardinals. Now ahead for Denver is Saturday’s 2 p.m. deadline to make 53-man roster cuts and Sunday’s waiver claiming period and practice squad formation.

The Broncos entered their preseason finale publicly undecided on who will back up starting quarterback Joe Flacco in Week 1 — Kevin Hogan or Brett Rypien — while second-round rookie Drew Lock recovers from a right thumb sprain.

“I think (Hogan and Rypien) played OK,” coach Vic Fangio said. “It’s been a lot like how they’ve played most of the preseason; I see some good plays, plays you think you can win with and then some plays that are not so good. Not that anybody plays a perfect game, but we have to eliminate some (plays) that aren’t good for us and be more consistent.”

Hogan earned the start against Arizona and his opening drive sparkled with consecutive completions to wide receiver Fred Brown for 15 and 25 yards. Another dart to wide receiver Juwann Winfree put Denver in scoring range. But Hogan overthrew running back Khalfani Muhammad streaking open toward the end zone on a third-down play and the Broncos settled for a 50-yard Brandon McManus field goal to take the lead.

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It highlighted a negative preseason trend for the Broncos entering Thursday night: Seven field goals to four touchdowns.

Hogan, facing third-and-long from the Arizona 44-yard line, took another first-quarter shot at the end zone and overthrew wide receiver Kelvin McKnight. Hogan was later intercepted twice; on a tipped pass intended for wide receiver Brendan Langley and on an end-of-half Hail Mary attempt. Hogan finished the night 12-of-23 passing for 138 yards and did not play in the second half.

Denver’s initial defensive effort was far more impressive. The Cardinals’ opening offensive possession with quarterback Brett Hundley ended in a three-and-out after rookie linebacker Justin Hollins chased Hundley out of the pocket and dragged him down for a sack. Arizona attempted a fourth-down play one series later and rookie defensive end Malik Reed demolished Hundley on an inside rush. It was the first of two sacks for Reed, who finished the preseason with four in three games. He did not play in the second half.

The Broncos recorded their first takeaway in the second quarter when inside linebacker Josh Watson punched the football away from Arizona tight end Ricky Seals-Jones with safety Trey Marshall on the recovery. It set up Hogan’s best drive of the day: 13 plays, 78 yards and capped with a perfectly thrown corner fade touchdown to Brown — a third-year receiver from Ole Miss who hauled in five receptions for 55 yards and a score in the first half.

Hogan, a fourth-year pro, completed the preseason with lackluster overall production: 33-of-65 passing for 311 yards with one touchdown, three interceptions and a 50.8 rating. But Rypien, an undrafted rookie, did little to challenge for the backup role Thursday in the second half. The former Boise State star went 8-of-11 passing for 86 yards with an interception and no touchdowns.

Hogan was asked postgame whether he had done enough to secure the backup job.

“My resume the last month-and-a-half, I’m proud of it,” Hogan said. “I feel like I’m playing good football. Although the preseason games didn’t always go the way you’d hoped, I feel like throughout camp I played some really good football and have the confidence of my teammates and coaches. It’s out of my control, but I’m very happy with how I played.”

Added Rypien: “From my standpoint, I just wanted to progress from the last game. I felt like I did that. … I’ve still got a long way to go to be a guy in this league, but at the same time I know what I need to work on and I know that I’ll do that for sure.”

The Cardinals clawed back in the third quarter when quarterback Drew Anderson connected with wide receiver A.J. Richardson for a 28-yard touchdown. But Denver built on its lead when Muhammad burst away for a 49-yard rush to set up running back Devontae Jackson‘s short dive into the end zone. McManus later added a 33-yard field goal. Related Articles Broncos Briefs: Phillip Lindsay doubtful to play Sunday, but progressing from toe injury

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Denver wide receivers River Cracraft and McKnight split punt return duties on Thursday and each had one big gain: McKnight (17 yards) and Cracraft (15 yards).

“I’ve been trying to really break a return lately,” McKnight said. “Coach gave me an opportunity and I just tried to take advantage of it. … I knew it was a (position) battle, but at the end of the day, we weren’t beefing with each other. It was just all encouragement. We learned from each other.”

Broncos safety Shamarko Thomas suffered a hamstring injury while blocking on the opening kickoff return and did not return.

Pregame at Broncos Stadium allowed for a potentially awkward reunion. Vance Joseph — fired as Denver coach in December and hired as Arizona defensive coordinator in January — chatted with Broncos general manager John Elway and director of player personnel Matt Russell at midfield during warmups. However, body language didn’t suggest bad blood.

Cornerback Chris Harris gave Joseph a big hug. Several more players and staff members stopped by for a handshake. Elway even dapped up Joseph before teams departed the field. Joseph is now tasked with revamping Arizona’s defense and helping to guide first-year Cardinals’ coach Kliff Kingsbury after six seasons leading Texas Tech.

Denver begins regular season play next Monday night at Oakland.

“We need to be ready because it’s here in 11 days,” Fangio said. “I think we’ve had a good camp, I think the guys have formed a bond that is good and hopefully will carry us through the adverse times that we’ll have during a game and/or during the season. I think they’re ready but you never know.”