Denver Broncos throttle reeling Saints on Sean Payton’s return to New Orleans
Javonte Williams rushed for two touchdowns and the Denver Broncos triumphed in coach Sean Payton’s return to New Orleans, defeating the banged-up 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 389 yards to 271, while sending the Saints (2-5) to their fifth straight loss.
With Saints quarterback Derek Carr (oblique) missing his second straight game, both teams had rookies under center.
Spencer Rattler was making his second straight start for New Orleans and his lack of experience was compounded by injuries throughout the offense.
The Saints were missing top receivers Chris Olave (concussion) and Rashid Shaheed (knee), the latter going on injured reserve earlier in the day. Two starting linemen, center Erik McCoy (groin) and guard Cesar Ruiz (knee), were out. 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 was returned 52 yards for a Cody Barton touchdown in the fourth quarter. Rattler appeared shocked on the play and was replaced by Jake Haener, who connected with Cedric Wilson for New Orleans’ lone TD.
Barton forced Rattler’s first fumble, which led to one of four field goals by former Saint Wil Lutz.
Rattler was sacked six times, once by linebacker Nik Bonitto, who was sacked for the fifth straight game.
New Orleans’ defense, meanwhile, couldn’t come up with a momentum-turning play.
Tryann Mathieu uncharacteristically dropped an errant pass from Nix that sailed straight to the veteran defensive back late in the second quarter. This allowed the Broncos to end the half with a field goal and a 16-3 lead.
During halftime, record-setting former QB Drew Brees was honored on the field to mark his induction into the Saints Hall of Fame. Team owner Gayle Benson presented Brees with a blazer and a portrait of the club’s all-time passer holding the Lombardi Trophy was unveiled.
Brees was also honored at a luncheon earlier in the day, with Payton appearing to congratulate the star player he coached for 14 seasons.
Brees, whose 80,358 career yards ranked second in NFL history behind only Tom Brady’s 89,214, brought New Orleans their only Super Bowl victory after the 2009 season.
For many fans in attendance, the halftime festivities were the highlight of the evening. The Superdome was mostly empty in the fourth quarter.