Sometimes it’s not about who you play, but when you play them, that creates all the excess. That definitely needs to be said about Thursday night’s game between the Broncos and Saints, a game that will kick off the seventh event of the familiar NFL season.
A moment ago, the Saints were 2-0 and at the zenith of international football, when the Broncos were 0-2 closer to scoring just six points in a Second Moment loss to Pittsburgh. Things are completely different now; Unused Orleans has lost four today, and Denver had won three games immediately before the same loss last weekend to the Chargers.
For the Broncos to be appreciated in this game would have been impossible four weeks ago. Quarterback games are the biggest reason the tables have grown. Year already hurtling down the wrong path, the Saints’ season had to travel south with Derek Carr’s Moment 5 loss to the Saints. Conversely, a fair bid for the Broncos’ confident advancement can also be attributed to the continued growth of rookie quarterback Bo Nix.
Now that we’ve set the table, here’s how you can monitor the action along with our breakdown and prediction for Thursday night’s game.
Where to watch Broncos vs. Saints
- When: Thursday October 17 | 8:15 pm Eastern Time
- The place: Caesars Superdome – Orleans unused
- Resident tide: High video
- Practice: CBS Sports App
- Odd: Broncos -2.4, OU 37 (via BetMGM)
When the Saints have the ball
Despite their four-game slump, the Unused Orleans offense remains fifth in the league in scoring. That likely won’t be the case next Thursday night, however, as the team will be without guard Cesar Ruiz (knee), receivers Chris Olave (concussion) and Rashid Shaheed (knee). Carr (indirect) and tight end Taysom Hill (cleanup) are questionable, snapper/safety Lucas Patrick (chest) is questionable.
With Olave and Shaheed out, the Saints’ passing game will likely lean heavily toward backup Alvin Kamara and tight ends Foster Moreau and Juwan Johnson. Kamara enters Thursday night’s game as the team’s season-leading receiver with 28 receptions. Moreau and Johnson have combined to catch 21 passes for 230 yards and 3 touchdowns.
Fifth-round rookie Bub Way, the Saints’ most fertile receiver who will be active Thursday night, is coming off his best NFL game going forward. He was five of eight targets for 45 yards and a score in last Sunday’s loss to Tampa Bay. A big-play blackmailer, Way averaged 17.2 yards per catch during his college career that included stops at three other schools.
With Carr doubtful and not having practiced in all the events, rookie Spencer Rattler is in position to begin his second career. Rattler briefly found his groove last Sunday by leading the Saints to four straight playoff ratings. But he and the offense stagnated super close to that. The unit’s final eight drives included five punts and two interceptions by Rattler, who followed with five sacks.
In retrospect, the Saints certainly weren’t thrilled that Rattler threw 40 passes in his first NFL game. Against Denver, expect fewer throws from Rattler and more handoffs to Kamara and backfield partner Jamaal Williams, a former 1,000-yard rusher with the Lions who only has 27 carries this season so far.
Rattler and company have the unenviable process of dealing with a difficult Denver protection. They aren’t the orange weight, but Sean Payton’s unit looks great on its own, led by cornerback Patrick Surtain II and a passing sprint that has already sacked opposing quarterbacks 22 times.
Six Broncos have already totaled no fewer than two sacks, led by outside linebacker Jonathan Cooper’s 4.5 sacks. With plenty of confidence, the Broncos’ sneak-moving sprint has the Saints’ attention, and it will be very important for Unused Orleans to not allow this part of the Broncos team to break into the game.
Denver’s defense is among the top 10 in the NFL in many sections, including difficulties allowed (fourth), passing yards allowed (fifth) and red zone power (first). If there’s one phase the Saints can exploit, it’s Denver’s third-ranked sickness protection (19th in the league) and run protection (14th in yards allowed). That’s where Kamara and Williams come into play.
Rattler will want to play sneaky plays, however, he’ll have to let him rip at least a couple of times to fill Denver’s fair defense.
When the Broncos have the ball
Nix’s rookie season hasn’t been easy. But despite some turbulence, Nix is still tendering the contract that forced the Broncos to rush him with the 12th overall pick in April’s draft.
Then, with an 0-4 touchdown-to-interception ratio in his first three games, Nix threw five touchdowns to one in Denver’s final three games. He also rushed for three scores this season and had a season-high 61 yards on six carries in the finale’s loss to the Chargers.
Last Sunday it looked unpleasant for a long hour before the Broncos offense made a late award that equaled Arnold Palmer’s mythical price that earned him the 1960 All-American that was played in Denver. But unlike Palmer, Nix’s late rally did not lead to victory.
The Broncos had five punts and two passes on their first seven drives, but finished the hour with two touchdowns and a field goal to pull within the lead on Los Angeles with 2:26 left. So what changed? Los Angeles certainly fired the gas, and Nix made them pay with terse passes to Courtland Sutton, Troy Franklin, Devaughn Vele and Javonte Williams.
Across Denver’s final three drives, Nix was 15 of 19 that totaled completions of 29, 37, 20, 20 and 17 yards. He also threw landing passes to Franklin and Sutton.
Trailing by 23, Payton squandered any semblance of a balanced offense. Denver needed problems and Nix broke out in a fight to remove a dissatisfied man. A year of playing like this for an entire match is not realistic, the finish line of last Sunday’s match was another example of how perfect Nix can be when he discovers his rhythm. That line also confirmed the big-play talent of the Broncos’ ever-improving receiving corps.
The malady, on the other hand, was the lack of run reserve that Nix gained throughout the game, which contributed to the Broncos being just three of eleven in third place. This is not a free incident, because the Broncos were one of the worst teams in the league this month and are ranked 31st in the league in third place. I’m sick. Denver has to bounce back in both areas if it wants to stay in the playoff race.
Fortunately for the Broncos, they will face a Saints defense that is 30th in the NFL in yards per carry allowed. They are also just 20th in the league in 3rd place, I’m sick of protection.
Supper or famine might be a good way to sum up the Saints’ defense, which has fallen to 23rd in the league in numbers allowed and closer to the top 10 in that segment during Dennis Allen’s first two years as head coach. school. The Saints are second in the NFL in interceptions (10), have a pass rush (led by a defensive take by Bryan Bresee and Alontae Taylor) and are third in red zone power.
For Payton’s offense, establishing a game of work will be key Thursday night. Nix must also distribute the ball, which will likely be a problem given the Saints’ penchant for catching opponent passes. At the same time, Nix cannot be shy. What is the purpose of proper protection, especially if you never bother them to stand at that time?
Broncos vs. Saints Prediction
This will have to be a comedy game on Thursday night, although it may be lacking in execution. This game will surely depend on which work game can finish and which quarterback will be more active taking care of the ball well. Any of them travel hand in hand.
Clashes are notable in sports with a bet. Looking at both teams, it appears the Broncos have a lot of tremendous advantages. They have a top-five defense against a rookie quarterback starting his second career and any of their top receivers are no longer playing. This is enough to feel pretty confident picking the Broncos at the moment. On the road, except Kamara goes crazy, Rattler’s secondary receivers step up and the defense is in position to get a couple of Nix picks.
Payton will get his victory against the team he defeated in a championship 15 years ago.
Category: Broncos 27, Saints 20 (hitting the Over prepared at the BetMGM sportsbook)
Check out more Pete Prisco’s NFL Picks at time 7.
Matt Severance, who is on a 21-6 streak in Broncos games, has excused his easier bets for the Moment 7 “Thursday Evening Soccer” game. Severance leans towards the bottom general, but who is he backing to secure? right here at SportsLine.
