Broncos 33-10 Saints (Oct. 17, 2024) Game Recap

NEW ORLEANS – Sean Payton made it a point to get to the Superdome long before he normally would for a game – six hours before kickoff – so he could prepare for his emotional return to a place where he could be a He trained at his home venue for a decade and a half.

“I'm glad I got here early,” Payton said, reflecting on the exciting times in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina, when the Saints became a moralizing and inspiring force in the lives of rebuilding residents.

“It was a unique time,” Payton remembers. “None of us understood what it would mean and how big it would be. Coming back here is different and very special.”

And it got even better when his current team, the Denver Broncos, won comfortably.

Javonte Williams rushed for two touchdowns, Cody Barton returned a fumble 52 yards for a score, and the Broncos beat the struggling and reeling Saints 33-10 on Thursday night.

Bo Nix passed for 164 yards and ran for 75 yards for Denver (4-3), which dominated statistically. The Broncos outgained New Orleans by 389 yards to 271 while handing the Saints (2-5) their fifth straight loss.

“It was great. The saints mean a lot to him. He was there for a while and had incredible success,” Nix said, matching Payton's franchise-high 152 regular-season wins with the Saints from 2006 to 2021 and his Super Bowl-winning season in 2009 to. “I'm happy about it.”

Payton's New Orleans teams have suffered just two home losses by 20 points or more, something the Saints have done twice in the last five days.

“It was disappointing,” Allen said. “Injuries play a role, but we have to find a way to play better.

“We make mistakes we shouldn’t make,” Allen added. “We as coaches and players alike have to figure it out.”

Allen was Payton's defensive coordinator in New Orleans and the two hugged after the game.

“I felt bad,” said Payton, who has now beaten all 32 NFL teams as a head coach. “New Orleans is banged up and has a lot of injuries.”

With Saints quarterback Derek Carr (oblique) missing his second straight game, both teams had rookies under center.

Spencer Rattler made his second straight start for New Orleans and his lack of experience was exacerbated by injuries throughout the offense.

The Saints were missing top receivers Chris Olave (concussion) and Rashid Shaheed (knee), with the latter placed on injured reserve earlier in the day. Two starters, center Erik McCoy (groin) and guard Cesar Ruiz (knee), were sidelined. Versatile tight end Taysom Hill (ribs) missed his third straight game.

Rattler was overwhelmed by a Denver defense that ranked fourth in the NFL in yards allowed.

He was 25 of 35 for 172 yards, rushed for 34 yards and lost two fumbles, the second of which Barton took into the end zone in the fourth quarter. Rattler seemed shaken by the play and was replaced by Jake Haener, who along with Cedric Wilson took charge of New Orleans' only touchdown.

Barton forced Rattler's first fumble, which led to one of former Saint Wil Lutz's four field goals.

Rattler was sacked six times, including once by linebacker Nik Bonitto, who was sacked for the fifth straight time.

Meanwhile, New Orleans' defense failed to come up with game-winning plays.

Tryann Mathieu uncharacteristically dropped a bad pass from Nix late in the second quarter that went straight to the veteran defensive back. This allowed the Broncos to end the half with a field goal and a 16-3 lead.

“We played good football at the beginning of the season, so I know this team has what it takes,” Allen said, referring to the lopsided wins over Carolina and Dallas. “But at the moment we are not playing like that and of course there are a variety of reasons for that and we have to figure out how we can get back to that type of football.”

Memory trace

At halftime, record-setting former QB Drew Brees was honored on the field to recognize his induction into the Saints Hall of Fame. Team owner Gayle Benson presented Brees with a blazer and a portrait of the club's best passer with the Lombardi Trophy was unveiled.

Brees was also honored earlier in the day at a luncheon where Payton appeared to congratulate the star player he coached for 14 seasons.

“It’s always good to see him,” Payton said.

With 80,358 passing yards, Brees ranks second in NFL history, behind only Tom Brady's 89,214.

For many of the fans in attendance, the halftime festivities were the highlight of the evening. The Superdome was largely empty in the fourth quarter.

Injuries

Broncos: CB Patrick Surtain (concussion) and RT Alex Palczewski (ankle) were inactive.

Saints: CB Paulson Adebo was carried off the field in the second quarter with a cast on his right leg and taken to a hospital. Allen said Adebo had a broken femur. … CB Marshon Lattimore left the team with a hamstring injury. … OL Nick Saldiveri left the team with a shoulder injury. LB Pete Werner (hamstring) was inactive.

Next

Broncos: Host Carolina on Oct. 27.

Saints: Visit the Los Angeles Chargers on October 27th.

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