Good Day for Elway All the Way Around : Interconference: He joins Moon in 40,000 club and leads Broncos over Cardinals, 38-6.

John Elway flung himself into some select company on Sunday.

Elway became the seventh player in NFL history to pass for 40,000 career yards, throwing for three touchdowns as the Denver Broncos routed the Arizona Cardinals, 38-6.

Elway completed 16 of 21 passes for 256 yards, raising his career yardage total to 40,008. He joined Fran Tarkenton, Dan Marino, Dan Fouts, Joe Montana, Johnny Unitas and Warren Moon in the 40,000-yard club, and he became the fourth fastest to reach that figure, doing it in his 183rd game.

Earlier Sunday, Moon reached 40,000 yards.

“I’ve been lucky,” the 35-year-old Elway said. “God has given me a football body, and I’ve been able to stay healthy. But it’s also a reflection of the guys I’ve played with. There have been a lot of guys on the receiving end of those 40,000 yards and a lot of guys blocking up front.

“I’m proud to get 40,000, but I’m looking to get more. I feel I have a lot of football left.”

Rookie Terrell Davis ran for 135 yards in 22 carries as the Broncos (5-4) remained unbeaten (4-0-1) against the Cardinals.

Arizona (3-6) came into the game with the worst run defense in the NFL, but after Elway completed his first eight passes, it became apparent the Broncos could move the ball through the air as well.

Elway completed a one-yard scoring pass to Aaron Craver in the second quarter, a 47-yarder to Anthony Miller in the third period and a 23-yarder to Ed McCaffrey in the fourth.

Although the Broncos were ahead 38-6, Elway remained in the game in an attempt to reach 40,000 at home, since the Broncos play at Philadelphia next week. After an interception by Denver, he promptly completed a 19-yard pass to Craver with five minutes left to pass the milestone, and was mobbed by his teammates as he left the field.

“It was nice to get it at home--that makes it extra special,” Elway said.

Said Bronco Coach Mike Shanahan: “I see the things he has accomplished and I marvel at them and shake my head. He has been so durable and the focal point of this franchise for so long.”

Elway said the clinching play “wasn’t in the game plan. Mike drew it up on the sideline.”

“Everybody knew John needed 11 yards,” Craver said, “but he was playing like he didn’t know. I was going to get that 11 yards if I had to jump over somebody or run somebody over.”

Denver gained 406 yards compared to Arizona’s 279, and the defense held an opponent without a touchdown for the third time this year.

Dave Krieg was sacked four times and backup Mike Buck once.