NFL / denver broncos

Payton’s Homecoming Leaves New Orleans Fans in Disbelief Sean Payton’s much-anticipated return to the Superdome was far from a cinematic showdown. Instead of unleashing a barrage of offensive fireworks, he led his Broncos to a methodical dismantling of his former team, slowly draining the Saints’ energy in what felt like a death by a thousand cuts. The Broncos didn’t shine offensively, as quarterback Bo Nix struggled with accuracy and the receivers contributed with drops. However, Denver found consistency through the ground game, pushing past a depleted Saints defense. our team of reviewers Despite missing All-Pro cornerback Patrick Surtain II, Denver’s defense controlled the tempo of the game, overshadowing what many expected to be an offensive highlight reel from Payton’s playbook. New Orleans greeted their former coach with a lukewarm mix of cheers and boos, but Payton likely savored the win, ugly as it was. It also served as a night of vindication for former Saints kicker Wil Lutz, who nailed all four of his field goals after Payton brought him to Denver. Former Saints like tight end Lucas Krull, with a career-high 41 receiving yards, and linebacker Kwon Alexander, who recovered a pivotal fumble, helped seal the deal. The Broncos marched into New Orleans, leaving the Saints reeling with a decisive victory. Saints Spiraling After Five Consecutive Losses The Saints’ season continues to unravel. After starting the year with two victories and piling on 91 points, they’ve now dropped five straight games, managing just 79 points over that stretch. Thursday’s loss marked the first time New Orleans has endured back-to-back home defeats by 20-plus points since 2001, predating Payton’s tenure as head coach. New Orleans had no answer for Denver’s persistence, particularly with their roster thinned by injuries. Missing their starting quarterback, top two receivers, and a pair of offensive linemen, the Saints were further crippled when cornerbacks Paulson Adebo (knee) and Marshon Lattimore (hamstring) exited the game. The fan base, who had shown up in force for the Drew Brees Hall of Fame ceremony at halftime, began trickling out soon after, seemingly resigned to the team’s fate. By the night’s end, it wasn’t clear what had truly broken the Saints' spirits—the dropped interception by Tyrann Mathieu, Spencer Rattler’s costly mistakes, or simply the sight of their former head coach orchestrating their downfall. With a 2-5 record and a banged-up roster, Dennis Allen’s Saints find themselves at a critical juncture, teetering on the edge with their bye week still weeks away. Denver’s Defense Steals the Spotlight Denver’s defensive unit deserves significant praise for its performance, even if it came against a Saints offense riddled with injuries. Four days after allowing the Chargers to run wild for three quarters, the Broncos regrouped, delivering a dominant showing on short rest. Even without Patrick Surtain II, Denver pressured Saints quarterback Spencer Rattler, containing him to just two effective scrambles. The defensive backfield also held up well, limiting a weakened Saints receiving corps that failed to mount much of a challenge. Cody Barton continued his emergence as a key playmaker, strip-sacking Rattler, nearly grabbing an interception, and returning a deflected pass for a 52-yard touchdown. Barton’s impact was undeniable, as Denver turned in perhaps its most complete defensive effort of the season. Rookie Quarterbacks Struggle in Prime Time The 2024 NFL season has showcased several impressive rookie quarterback performances, but Thursday’s matchup between Bo Nix and Spencer Rattler won’t be one for the highlight reels. Nix, the 12th overall pick, outperformed Rattler, though both signal-callers had their fair share of struggles. Nix missed several open targets, narrowly avoided a costly interception, and wasn’t helped by his receivers’ drops. Despite those issues, Nix managed to make plays with his legs and limit mistakes, but he still has plenty of room for development. Rattler, making just his second start, was visibly rattled after a first-quarter strip-sack and struggled to regain his composure. Denver’s defensive pressure gave him little time to operate, and his receiving corps, already shorthanded, let him down with several miscues. Rattler’s two lost fumbles proved costly, and by the end of the game, he was sidelined with a hip pointer, leaving backup Jake Haener to lead a garbage-time touchdown drive. With Derek Carr’s status uncertain, head coach Dennis Allen may face tough decisions heading into the next game. Saints’ Defensive Collapse Raises Red Flags The Saints’ defensive woes have been staggering over the past few weeks. In their last three games, they’ve surrendered 110 points and nearly 1,500 yards, with two of those contests happening at home. Although Thursday’s performance wasn’t as abysmal as their showing against the Buccaneers, their run defense remained porous, plagued by poor gap discipline, missed tackles, and an inability to exert physical dominance. Losing cornerbacks Paulson Adebo and Marshon Lattimore during the game only exacerbated the Saints’ struggles in coverage. There was a noticeable lack of pressure on Denver’s offense, and outside of a few blitzes, the defensive front failed to make an impact. Head coach Dennis Allen, known for his defensive acumen, now faces increasing scrutiny as his unit continues to underperform. If the Saints can’t regroup during their upcoming mini-bye, they risk ending the season among the league’s worst defensive teams. Next Gen Stats: Broncos Defense Dominates with Quick Pressure According to NFL Pro’s Next Gen Stats, Denver’s defense generated 14 quick pressures (under 2.5 seconds) in their Week 7 victory, tying for the most quick pressures by a defense in a single game this season. In fact, the Broncos lead the league in this metric with 51 quick pressures through the first six weeks. $35 an hour, full-time