Broncos handle business in blowout of short-handed Saints
Broncos handle business in blowout of short-handed Saints
Before the Denver Broncos headed to New Orleans, head coach Sean Payton set a clear goal for his team: "We're in the business of collecting wins." The Broncos followed through, earning their fourth win of the season with a 33-10 victory over the injury-depleted New Orleans Saints.
Denver (4-3) relied on a familiar formula—strong defense, mistake-free play from rookie quarterback Bo Nix, and a solid running game that surpassed 200 rushing yards. Nix managed the game efficiently, avoiding turnovers, while contributing with his legs, rushing for 75 yards. Despite a slow start, the Broncos built momentum with field-goal drives and controlled the game. Their 4-3 record marks their best start since 2016.
However, slow starts remain a concern. Outside of a Week 3 outburst in Tampa, the Broncos' offense has often struggled early. Against the Saints, the Broncos began with a six-play drive that ended in a punt, followed by two field-goal drives. Nix completed 13 of 21 passes for 134 yards in the first half but missed some key opportunities due to inconsistent footwork.
On the defensive side, the Broncos demonstrated resilience, even in the absence of star cornerback Pat Surtain II, who is recovering from a concussion. Denver held New Orleans under 180 total yards until the fourth quarter and capped their performance with a defensive touchdown by linebacker Cody Barton.
For the Saints (2-5), it was another tough outing. Despite former quarterback Drew Brees being honored at halftime, the injury-ridden team struggled on both sides of the ball. Starting quarterback Spencer Rattler made several costly mistakes, including two fumbles, one of which was returned for a touchdown. With five straight losses and no immediate solutions in sight, the Saints' issues continue to mount. Their defense, once the team's strength, has crumbled, and they were outscored 60-10 over the past six quarters.
Next up, Denver will host the Carolina Panthers on October 27, while the Saints will face the Los Angeles Chargers as they attempt to break their losing streak.
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