The stats of the preseason aren't going to count. They don't always mean something. But sometimes they do, and for Jacoby Brissett, they are a tangible symbol of the upgrade the Cardinals made at backup quarterback.

The veteran looked sharp again against the Broncos, starting with Kyler Murray sitting out, and capping a just-short-of-a-quarter worth of work with a beautiful 16-yard over-the-top pass to wideout Simi Fehoko for a touchdown. It was Brissett's third TD pass of the preseason, even if he only has 35 snaps.

"I think the operation has been really good," Brissett said. "I've been in this system a little bit ... I know how the flow of the game goes. That gives me an added advantage."

Brissett gained a first down on a fourth-and-1 sneak. His passing totals in two games are 11-for-16 for 138 yards and those three scores, and would've been a perfect 8-for-8 Saturday if two passes hadn't been dropped by Xavier Weaver and Tejhaun Palmer on the initial drive.

"We have to do a better job catching the ball," coach Jonathan Gannon said.

Could I see a world where Gannon starts Clayton Tune against the Raiders in the preseason finale with the intent to hold out both Kyler Murray and Brissett? I could. We'll see. Brissett is about playing.

"I don't see it that way," Brissett said. "I was talking to (QB coach) Israel (Woolfork) on the sideline about it today. You put yourself in these situations in how you approach the game. Last week, it's as if something happens to Kyler, I go in in the middle of the game. This week, OK he's 'out' this game and you have to start. It's playing those games and attack different situations."

Regardless, Brissett has looked exactly like the guy the Cardinals hope to count on if something happens to Murray.

-- Culture check, and a good one. After the Cardinals had their joint work with the Broncos Thursday, quarterback Kyler Murray took the entire offensive roster out for dinner (and it wasn't fast food) and safety Budda Baker did the same for the entire defensive roster. (They were at different restaurants, which makes sense when your party is 45 or so guys.) Those aren't going to be post-meal checks for the faint-hearted.

But to do it now, when a bunch of these guys won't be on the team in a couple of weeks but who have put in the sweat equity together for a few months now, can only bring a team closer.

-- Dante Stills was one of the players who did not play Saturday. When you are holding players out of a preseason game not because of injury, that usually (not 100 percent, but almost always) means their roster spot is secure. For a guy who earlier in camp was talking about still competing for a roster spot, he knows what he's doing. He played well against the Chiefs last week, he's been impressive in practice, and in a D-line room with a lot of "names," he's worked hard to be one of the best of them.

-- Xavier Thomas is trying to fight his way on to the roster after the team drafted Jordan Burch in the third round, and he was playing into the fourth quarter Saturday. It was notable he didn't set the edge on a couple of runs that got outside, including a 36-yard gain. Overall, and it wasn't just Thomas, the Cardinals didn't get as much pressure on Broncos starter Jarrett Stidham as they would've liked.

-- The starting offensive line with the starters (and Kelvin Beachum) sitting were, from left tackle to right tackle, Josh Fryar, Nick Leverett, Hayden Conner, Jon Gaines II, and Jeremiah Byers. The starting defensive line was Kyon Barrs, Elijah Simmons and L.J. Collier. Gaines usually would've played center after Conner's injury, but he's playing with a thumb injury on his snapping hand and can't currently snap.

-- Blake Gillikin launched a 70-yard punt, as he continues his strong preseason. He also had a 60-yard boot.

-- It was in warmups and it was in the thin air of Denver, but kicker Chad Ryland booted a 72-yard field goal pregame.

That's enough for tonight. One more preseason game to go.