Javonte Williams rushed two touchdowns and the Denver Broncos triumphed in coach Sean Payton’s return to New Orleans, beating the banged-up and reeling Saints 33-10 on Thursday night time.
Bo Nix handed for 164 yards and ran for 75 yards for Denver (4-3), which dominated statistically. The Broncos outgained New Orleans 389 yards to 271 whereas sending the Saints (2-5) to their fifth straight defeat.
With Saints quarterback Derek Carr (indirect) lacking his second straight sport, there have been rookies beneath heart for each groups.
Spencer Rattler made his second straight begin for New Orleans and his lack of expertise was exacerbated by accidents all throughout the the offense.
The Saints had been lacking prime receivers Chris Olave (concussion) and Rashid Shaheed (knee), the latter occurring injured reserve earlier within the day. Two beginning linemen, heart Erik McCoy (groin) and guard Cesar Ruiz (knee), had been out. Versatile tight finish Taysom Hill (ribs) missed his third straight sport.
Rattler was overwhelmed by a Denver protection that got here in ranked fourth within the NFL in yards allowed.
He was 25 of 35 for 172 yards, rushed for 34 yards and misplaced two fumbles, the second of which was returned 52 yards for a landing by Cody Barton within the fourth quarter. Rattler appeared shaken up on the play and was changed by Jake Haener, who related with Cedric Wilson for New Orleans’ lone TD.
Barton pressured Rattler’s first fumble, which led to one in every of former Saint Wil Lutz’s 4 subject objectives.
Rattler was sacked six instances, as soon as by linebacker Nik Bonitto, who had a sack for a fifth straight sport.
New Orleans’ protection, in the meantime, couldn’t give you any momentum-turning performs.
Tryann Mathieu uncharacteristically dropped an errant go by Nix that sailed on to the veteran defensive again late within the second quarter. That allowed the the Broncos to shut out the half with a subject aim and a 16-3 lead.
Throughout half-time, record-setting former QB Drew Brees was honored on the sector to mark his induction into the Saints Corridor of Fame. Group proprietor Gayle Benson introduced Brees with a blazer, and a portrait of the membership’s all-time passer holding the Lombardi Trophy was unveiled.
Brees additionally was honored at a luncheon earlier within the day, throughout which Payton made an look to congratulate the star participant he coached for 14 seasons.
Brees, whose 80,358 profession yards passing rank second in NFL historical past behind solely Tom Brady’s 89,214, introduced New Orleans their solely Tremendous Bowl triumph after the 2009 season.
For a lot of followers in attendance, the half-time festivities had been the spotlight of the night time. The Superdome was largely empty by the fourth quarter.
