New Orleans Saints (2-5) – Denver Broncos (4-3): 10-33
Sean Payton's big return to the city where he lived it all was eagerly awaited. He finally delivered a match without suspense. Faced with a Saints team decimated by injuries, the Broncos found their fundamentals. On the ground first, carried by Javonte Williams (14 races, 88 yards, 2 touchdowns, 3 receptions, 23 yards) finally found. Then in defense, thanks to an intractable squad in all areas. With a third of the squad in the infirmary at kick-off, the task was too complicated for the Saints.
Javonte Williams leads the way
Despite some wanderings from Bo Nix (16/26, 164 yards, 10 races, 75 yards), the Broncos attack quickly got underway. She scored points on 4 of her 5 possessions in the first half, while getting 15 first downs and holding the ball for nearly 20 minutes. Finding his legs against a very crumbly defense, Javonte Williams took the opportunity to score his first touchdown of the season. This is the first time since 2020 that the Broncos have recorded more than 100 yards passing and rushing during a first half. At the break and thanks to 3 field goals from Will Lutz, the visitors are in the lead (16-3).
Opposite, Spencer Rattler (25/35, 172 yards, 5 races, 34 yards) and his squad are too weakened to hope for anything. The ground game is ineffective, as evidenced by the 2 yards garnered by Alvin Kamara in 5 carries, and only a 28-yard escape from Rattler to avoid a sack moves the chains forward effectively. No more success in the aerial game, with the rookie disturbed by the pressure imbued by Denver (6 sacks). He also suffered a strip sack from Cody Barton on his second drive. Difficulty finding windows and in need of receivers, the thrower only gets 90 yards in the air. Honored at halftime of the match, Drew Brees must not have appreciated…
The Saints don't exist, the Broncos are rolling
The second half continues on the same basis as the first. Spencer Rattler is put under pressure and is imprecise, while Denver continues to score points. First through Will Lutz on their first possession of the third quarter. Then for Javonte Williams' second touchdown on the ground on the next possession (26-3). It punctuates a 69-yard drive marked by a beautiful 32-yard run from Bo Nix.
In a dark stadium, the Saints sink a little deeper in the last quarter. On a sack by cornerback Ja'Quan McMillian, Rattler released the ball into the hands of Cody Barton. The linebacker does not need to be asked to score his very first touchdown in the NFL. A fair reward given his match. Amid general indifference, the Saints finally found the end zone following the entry into play of Jake Haener (3/4, 38 yards, 1 touchdown). On a 9-yard pass, the young quarterback found Cedrick Wilson Jr. (6 receptions, 57 yards, 1 touchdown) for New Orleans' only touchdown. A burst of pride far from being enough to avoid a fifth consecutive defeat. Dennis Allen's future in New Orleans seems increasingly uncertain…
