Broncos deal with enterprise in blowout of short-handed Saints

NEW ORLEANS — Earlier than the Denver Broncos left for his or her journey to New Orleans, head coach Sean Payton reminded his workforce of a easy goal: “We’re within the enterprise of amassing wins.”

The Broncos did that Thursday, amassing their fourth of the season, 33-10. And so they did it with a well-recognized method — protection, turnover-free play from rookie quarterback Bo Nix and simply sufficient subject purpose drives to get the job finished — in opposition to a New Orleans Saints workforce that had 17 gamers on the damage report this week.

The Broncos (4-3) additionally leaned into their run sport, topping 200 yards dashing for good measure. It’s their finest file after seven video games since they had been 5-2 in 2016. Subsequent up: They are going to welcome Carolina at dwelling Oct. 27.

Troubling development: The Broncos will take a 4-3 file, however the sluggish begins proceed. Apart from a uncommon early outburst in Tampa in Week 3, the Broncos offense has not burdened defenses early. Of their 5 video games, excluding Tampa, earlier than Thursday evening, the Broncos had 20 punts, Nix had thrown two interceptions, they misplaced two fumbles and so they had 15 three-and-outs in 30 first-half possessions. Towards an injury-ravaged Saints protection, the Broncos opened with a six-play possession, together with two dangerous Nix misses and a punt earlier than placing collectively two field-goal drives of their subsequent two possessions.

QB breakdown: The numbers have seemed tremendous, however Nix’s mobility continues to be his largest asset. He recorded his second consecutive sport of not less than 61 yards dashing in opposition to the Saints. Nix completed 13-of-21 passing for 134 yards within the first half, when issues had been within the steadiness, to go along with no sacks and no turnovers. However the 10,000-foot view is actually what may need been, even past his 75 yards dashing. Nix missed alternatives on the evening’s largest performs early within the sport due to his inconsistent footwork.

Silver lining: After coping with the preliminary shock of cornerback Pat Surtain II’s concussion on the primary defensive snap of the sport final week, Denver has proven its protection nonetheless has some tooth. Surtain might be missed in any sport he does not play, however the Broncos surrendered simply 105 yards within the second half to the Chargers after they settled in. On Thursday, they held the Saints below 180 yards heading into the fourth quarter the place they added a defensive landing from linebacker Cody Barton. In addition they pressured Saints QB Spencer Rattler all through. — Jeff Legwold

Subsequent sport: vs. Panthers (4:25 p.m. ET, Oct. 27)

Assist is not coming for the Saints.

Members of the 2009 Tremendous Bowl workforce had been within the constructing to look at former quarterback Drew Brees get inducted into the Saints Corridor of Fame at halftime. A big group of injured gamers, together with quarterback Derek Carr, tight finish Taysom Hill and offensive linemen Erik McCoy and Cesar Ruiz, watched from the sideline. Three extra gamers (Marshon Lattimore, Paulson Adebo and Nick Saldiveri) had been dominated out of the sport with accidents.

However the well being of the Saints is simply one of many issues for a workforce that has no fast repair in sight. The Saints had been blown out for the second week in a row and scored solely 10 factors in opposition to the Broncos and former coach Payton.

The Saints (2-5) have now misplaced 5 in a row and have been outscored 60-10 up to now six quarters. They will face the Los Angeles Chargers subsequent week after their mini-bye.

Troubling development: The defensive effort. The Saints protection was as soon as the spine of this workforce, however it has been getting worse by the week and entered this contest final in complete protection. Former All-Professional defensive again Richard Sherman did not mince phrases at halftime when he mentioned the general effort on Prime Video: “They do not wish to sort out. They do not wish to make performs. These are good gamers. … I do not perceive this. It looks like they wish to get their coach fired.”

Describe the sport in two phrases: All-time low. The offense could not rating, the protection seemed virtually as dangerous as final week and the Superdome was primarily empty by the fourth quarter of one other lackluster efficiency.

QB breakdown: It was one other powerful sport for Rattler, who was lacking the Saints’ high two receivers, a number of offensive linemen and Hill. Rattler had some massive rookie errors, together with a sack/fumble returned for a landing within the fourth quarter, a sack/fumble within the first quarter and one other fumble that was bailed out by a defensive penalty. He was in a position to make some performs together with his legs, however in the end completed 25-of-35 for 172 yards and no touchdowns earlier than Jake Haener completed the sport. — Katherine Terrell

Subsequent sport: vs. Chargers (4:05 p.m. ET, Oct. 27)