The Saints, meanwhile, haven’t fared much better. As for Payton defensive coordinator Dennis Allen as an unused boss, they have long had a mixed 27-30 record since the start of 2022, alternating between Andy Dalton, Jameis Winston, Derek Carr and now-rookie backup Spencer Rattler. below the heart. The defense has generally held its own, but the playoff games were particularly difficult to overcome.
Now, on Thursday night, the two sides will meet again for a chance to remain relevant, kicking off Moment 7 in a showdown of potential spoilers. How can you track it? Which players could be X components? And who is really prepared to win? Here is our sports betting preview and prediction:
Where to watch Saints vs. Broncos
- Hour: Thursday October 17 | Future: 8:15 pm Eastern Time
- Location: Caesars Superdome (New Orleans)
- Tide: High video
- Practice: CBS Sports App
- Odd: Broncos -2.5 | O/U 37 (DraftKings)
key matchups
- Saints TE Juwan Johnson vs. Broncos S Brandon Jones: Brandnew Orleans is something of a banger, with Chris Olave and Rashid Shaheed both injured and ruled out. That would move Johnson to the top of the pecking order for rookie quarterback Spencer Rattler, who will secure eight receptions over the final two weeks. Jones, meanwhile, has been Denver’s busiest player in the backfield, with three passes deflected.
- Broncos OT Frank Crum vs. Saints DE Cameron Jordan: Denver is struggling in the right game today, with Mike McGlinchey nursing an injury and backup Alex Palczewski suffering a sprained ankle in the 6th. One way or another, undrafted rookie Crum could see a chance against Jordan. who at 35 years old is no longer the All-Pro force he once was, but could be primed to get his first sack or two of the season.
- Saints OT Trevor Penning vs. Broncos DE Zach Allen: Penning, much maligned to start the season, moved into the right role following Taliese Fuaga’s arrival at Brandnew Orleans. Now he’ll have one of his toughest assignments of the season, running alongside a banged-up interior, with Allen entering Thursday’s game with a team-high 13 quarterback hits and nine tackles for loss.
burning questions
- Broncos: Can Sean Payton relax the offensive operation? Bo Nix has had stretches of athleticism in the first round, however, overall, Payton’s offense has remained mercurial. Returning to the field may be key here, as Nix led Denver his entire career during a Moment 6 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers. Javonte Williams, Audric Estime and Jaleel McLaughlin may be very worried.
- Saints: Can Spencer Rattler keep his head above H2O? The rookie showed a nimble arm in the happiness of the injured Derek Carr in the 6th detectable moment, the better to find himself in a difficult hour trying to overcome Baker Mayfield in the final stretch. He’ll be tasked with controlling the ball amid a surprisingly banged-up supporting cast, although the Broncos “D” may be missing their tall guard Patrick Surtain II.
Prediction
If the Saints were at full strength, this would be a tough spot for Payton’s Broncos, coming out in a stripped-down performance against a fairly underrated offense that saw Derek Carr, Alvin Kamara and Rashid Shaheed burst into detectability. 2024. However, the Saints are definitely not at full strength and will be asking for a batch of a tender, unproven quarterback against a top-five defense led by a dominant front seven. I have a bet that spells trouble for Payton’s deteriorating friend Dennis Allen, who is looking to avoid a fifth immediate loss.
Select: Broncos 24, Saints 15 (reaching the Over, I’m ready at DraftKings sportsbook)
Premium: Matt Severance, who is on a 21-6 streak in Broncos games, has placed his best bets for Moment 7’s Thursday night football game. Severance is leaning down overall, but who does it support to protect? here at SportsLine.
