Denver Broncos Face New Orleans Saints on Thursday Night

Denver (3-3) is set to take on New Orleans (2-4) on Thursday at 8:15 p.m. EDT, streaming exclusively on Amazon Prime Video. The betting odds from BetMGM currently favor the Broncos by 2 points. Historically, Denver has a lead in the series with a record of 9-3 against the Saints. Both teams have struggled against the spread this season, with the Broncos at 4-2 and the Saints at 2-3-1. Their last encounter resulted in a significant win for New Orleans on November 29, 2020, where the Saints defeated the Broncos 31-3 in Denver. Last week, the Broncos fell to the Chargers with a score of 23-16, while the Saints suffered a hefty loss to the Buccaneers, finishing 51-27.

In terms of offensive statistics, the Broncos are currently ranked 29th overall, 23rd in rushing, 27th in passing, and 25th in scoring points. Conversely, their defense has performed much better, ranking 4th overall, 14th against the rush, and impressively 5th against passing attacks, with a scoring defense ranked 4th as well. The Saints, on the other hand, sit in the 18th position offensively, ranking 13th in rushing, 21st in passing, and tied for 5th in scoring. However, their defense struggles significantly, ranked 32nd overall, 20th against the run, 29th against the pass, and 23rd in scoring defense. When it comes to turnovers, the Broncos have a differential of minus-1, while the Saints boast a plus-3 differential.

A key player for the Broncos to keep an eye on is quarterback Bo Nix. He had a rocky start against the Chargers last week, going 4 for 14 for just 27 yards, including a couple of sacks and an interception. However, he rallied in the fourth quarter, throwing two touchdowns and amassing nearly 200 yards, resulting in a passer rating of 143.2. The Broncos may look to utilize a fast-paced strategy again on Thursday night to avoid starting slowly. For the Saints, fourth-year cornerback Paulson Adebo stands out, as he recorded his team’s leading third interception last week and leads with 10 passes defended.

A critical matchup will feature Saints rookie quarterback Spencer Rattler, who will be operating behind an offensive line missing three starters. He’ll face a formidable Broncos defensive front that has accumulated 22 sacks this season, the second-highest in the NFL.

In terms of injuries, the Broncos will be without starting cornerback Patrick Surtain II, who is currently in concussion protocol after being injured during the first defensive play in Week 6. He will be replaced by Levi Wallace. The Broncos’ other starting cornerbacks, Riley Moss (hip) and Ja’Quan McMillian (ankle), returned as full participants in practice this week. Meanwhile, right tackle Mike McGlinchey (knee) has also returned to practice, along with Alex Palczewski (ankle). For the Saints, first-string quarterback Derek Carr is unavailable as he recovers from an oblique injury, marking his second consecutive game missed. Additionally, wide receiver Rashid Shaheed is dealing with a knee injury, while fellow receiver Chris Olave is in concussion protocol and likely out for the week. Guard Cesar Ruiz (knee), linebacker Pete Werner (hamstring), and tight end Taysom Hill (ribs) have varying degrees of injuries affecting their availability.

Historically, the Broncos have had the advantage in meetings with the Saints, having won five out of the last six matchups, including three consecutive victories in New Orleans since the last time the Saints triumphed there on November 20, 1988. Interestingly, that was the only occasion Denver has lost to New Orleans on their turf. Denver also has shown strength as a visiting team, winning four out of five matches in the series since their first showdown in 1970.

On a statistical note, Broncos head coach Sean Payton has a storied past with the Saints, winning 152 games over 15 seasons, the most in the franchise’s history. His leadership brought New Orleans its only Super Bowl victory in the 2009 season. Denver has fared well on the road this year, holding a record of 2-1. Quarterback Bo Nix has completed 121 out of 198 passes, resulting in 1,082 yards and five touchdowns while suffering five interceptions. He has also added 180 yards and three touchdowns on the ground. Receiver Courtland Sutton leads the Broncos in receiving with 21 catches for 277 yards and two touchdowns.

As for the Saints, after winning their first two games, they now face a four-game losing streak. Rookie quarterback Spencer Rattler, who was drafted in the fifth round from South Carolina, is slated to start for the second time within a week’s span. His previous game resulted in 243 yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions. Running back Alvin Kamara remains a significant player, with 428 rushing yards, an average of 4.1 yards per carry, and six touchdowns, alongside 28 receptions for 238 yards and a touchdown.

Observing the coaching dynamics, this matchup is the first occasion Payton and Saints coach Dennis Allen will face off as NFL head coaches. Allen previously served as a defensive assistant under Payton for several years before his promotion to head coach in 2022. This history adds a unique dynamic to the contest.

For fantasy football enthusiasts, it would be wise to consider relying on Alvin Kamara, the most versatile weapon for the Saints, particularly as injuries threaten to limit the availability of several top receivers.