Broncos Dominate Saints, Marking Payton's Winning Return to New Orleans
Denver running back Javonte Williams achieved two touchdowns as the Broncos triumphed over the Saints with a score of 33-10 on Thursday, marking coach Sean Payton's successful return to New Orleans.
Payton, who led the Saints from 2006 to 2021, was instrumental in securing the franchise's inaugural Super Bowl championship during the 2009 season.
The Broncos dealt the injury-plagued Saints their fifth consecutive defeat in the NFL, a stark contrast to the two decisive victories that had opened their season.
"It was challenging to come here due to the numerous memories," Payton remarked during the Amazon Prime post-game show. "I attempted to minimize the significance of it as much as possible. The focus is on the players, and they truly gave their all."
Denver's rookie quarterback Bo Nix completed 16 of 26 passes for 164 yards and contributed an additional 75 yards on the ground.
Wil Lutz successfully kicked four field goals, while Cody Barton returned a fumble for a 52-yard touchdown, helping the Broncos recover from their recent loss to the Los Angeles Chargers.
Williams recorded his first rushing touchdown of the season with an eight-yard run into the end zone midway through the second quarter, extending the Broncos' lead to 13-0. Prior to this, Lutz had already made field goals from 46 and 32 yards.
In the third quarter, Williams added a five-yard touchdown run, and Lutz contributed field goals of 52 and 38 yards, further solidifying the Broncos' dominance.
Saints rookie quarterback Spencer Rattler, filling in for the injured Derek Carr, faced significant pressure, enduring six sacks during the game.
He lost two fumbles—one of which led to Barton's touchdown—while completing 25 of 35 passes for 172 yards before being substituted by rookie Jake Haener in the fourth quarter.
Haener managed to throw for 38 yards, including a 12-yard touchdown pass to Cedrick Wilson, but this occurred when the game was already well decided, with just 1:22 left on the clock.
The Saints, already grappling with numerous injuries, suffered another setback as cornerback Paulson Adebo left the game in the first half due to a right knee injury.
Adebo rushed to assist his teammate Jordan Howden following a tackle on Williams, seizing his leg immediately after he fell. Medical personnel applied a vacuum splint to his leg, and Adebo, who had recorded a team-leading six tackles prior to his departure, was transported off the field.
This incident marked yet another setback for the Saints, who were already without Carr due to an oblique injury and tight end Taysom Hill, who was dealing with a rib injury.
Additionally, wide receiver Chris Olave was out due to a concussion, and receiver Rashid Shaheed had been placed on injured reserve earlier that Thursday.
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