Stick here for live updates and analysis as Denver takes on the Saints at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans.
Live updates
FINAL | Broncos 33, Saints 10
Denver dominated on the ground, dominated on defense and dominated in Payton’s return to New Orleans, drubbing the Saints 33-10 in primetime.
They bullied Payton’s old team on the ground to the tune of 225 rushing yards, the most for the Broncos in a game in nearly 11 years. They leaned on their veteran offensive line, which on this night got right tackle Mike McGlinchey back from a stint on injured reserve. They continued their strong overall start to the year defensively and made life miserable for New Orleans rookie quarterback Spencer Rattler. Read Parker Gabriel’s full game analysis here.
More Broncos coverage:
- Bo Nix Watch: Broncos’ rookie QB flourishes as scrambler in win over Saints.
- Broncos four downs: If Bo Nix mechanics can get fixed, Sean Payton’s Broncos look like (gasp) playoff team again.
Fourth-quarter updates
Touchdown, Saints (9:15 p.m.): Jake Haener connected with a 12-yard touchdown pass to Cedric Wilson Jr. Broncos 33, Saints 10 with 1:22 to go. — Nguyen
This guy (9:14 p.m.): Broncos dodged a bullet avoiding Jake “the Snake” Haener until the final moments of the fourth quarter. — Schubert
Pedigree (9:13 p.m.): Has anyone ever gotten more out of a five-star rating than Spencer Rattler? — Schubert
Injury (9:06 p.m.): Damarri Mathis is down after colliding with P.J. Locke on that tackle. Mathis just got off the IR for this game. — Nguyen
Correction (9:04 p.m.): Looks like it was officially ruled as a fumble and recovered by Barton. — Nguyen
Pick-six (9:01 p.m.): Cody Barton with the GAME OF HIS LIFE. That’s an interception return touchdown and the beatdown is now complete. — Schubert
Tipped and picked for 6! Barton nabs the INT and takes it to the 🏠 for the @Broncos#DENvsNO on Prime Video
Also streaming on #NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/TsAlV2lxuH— NFL (@NFL) October 18, 2024
It seems fitting that Cody Barton got that pick-six. He rumbled 52 yards for the touchdown. Broncos 33, Saints 3 with 4:06 to go. — Nguyen
Sack (9 p.m.): Justin Strnad with the sack on that play. — Nguyen
Missing PSII (8:59 p.m.): If the Broncos missed Pat Surtain II last week, they sure as heck don’t today. Of course, Justin Herbert is a bit of a different animal than Spencer Rattler. — Schubert
Turnover (8:57 p.m.): Audric Estime fumbled the ball and the Saints recovered it. New Orleans with the ball on the Denver 47 with 6:10 to go. — Nguyen
No good (8:53 p.m.): The Saints tried going for it on fourth-and-5. A shovel pass to Alvin Kamara went for 3. Denver gets the ball at their own 40 with 7:25 to go. — Nguyen
Another three-and-out (8:48 p.m.): Denver’s second three-and-out of the day. Both drives started with a penalty on the first play. Broncos still in charge with 8:21 to go in the game. — Nguyen
Another sack (8:41 p.m.): Zach Allen and Jonah Ellis with the sack that time to force the Saints to punt. — Nguyen
Nik Bonitto records a sack for the fifth straight game. Zach Allen follows with a sack of his own. And it’s that kind of night for the Broncos. This is as dominant of a game as I can remember during the Sean Payton era. — Schubert
Casa Bonitto (8:40 p.m.): That was Nik Bonitto’s fifth-straight game with a sack. The first Broncos player to do that since Von Miller. — Nguyen
Three-and-out (8:36 p.m.): Believe or not, that was Denver’s first three-and-out of the night. — Nguyen
Third-quarter analysis — Broncos 26, Saints 3
Parker Gabriel, beat writer: Broncos’ 206 yards rushing is already the most since 12/2/2018 (218 against Cincinnati).
There’s still a quarter to go tonight.
Troy Renck, sports columnist: Broncos lead 26-3. Thursday brought clarity offensively. Make it easier for Nix. And let him use his athleticism. It’s not the macro plan. But he needed a get right game. And this has been it.
Third-quarter updates
Penalties galore (8:27 pm): That eight-play, 22-yard drive for New Orleans ended with, of course, a penalty. They had four penalties on that drive. — Nguyen
Sacked (8:24 pm): John Franklin-Myers with the sack on Spencer Rattler. It’s third-and-34 for the Saints. — Nguyen
Touchdown, Broncos (8:14 pm): Javonte Williams with his second touchdown of the game. A five-play, 69-yard drive. Broncos 26, Saints 3 with 5:53 to go in the third quarter. — Nguyen
https://twitter.com/NFL/status/1847099157917716993
Javonte Williams has two rushing touchdowns in a game for the first time in his career.
I’m sorry for anyone who decided to drop or trade him in fantasy football. —McFadden
That was the breeziest drive of the season for the Broncos. They just physically dominated the Saints. This one has to feel really good for Sean Payton. —Schubert
Another big gain (8:14 pm): And there goes Bo Nix for a 33-yard gain. — Nguyen
https://twitter.com/NFL/status/1847098921417691446
Big gain (8:13 pm): …and then followed it up with a 22-yard pass to Lucas Krull. — Nguyen
Given what we’re seeing from Lucas Krull tonight, Greg Dulcich’s days appear numbered. —Schubert
Another three-and-out (8:12 pm): Denver forces another one. — Nguyen
Pin drop (8:09 pm): I’ve heard stadiums sound like this before. This silence. Most of the time, it’s been in Denver. —Schubert
Rookie’s day (8:06 pm): Troy Franklin has five catches for 50 yards tonight. He still has work to do but it’s nice to see him being more productive. —McFadden
Field goal, Broncos (8:04 pm): Wil Lutz nails the 38-yard field goal after a seven play, 46-yard drive. Broncos 19, Saints 3 with 10:24 to go in the third quarter. — Nguyen
Run, Broncos, run (8:02 pm): Broncos running at will start the third quarter. Keep it going, Sean. —Schubert
Broncos with 22 carries for 149 and a TD now. —Gabriel
Picking up where he left off (8:01 pm): Javonte Williams opens the Broncos drive with a 13-yard carry. — Nguyen
Three-and-out (7:59 pm): Denver opens up the second half by forcing a three-and-out. — Nguyen
Halftime analysis — Broncos 16, Saints 3
Parker Gabriel, beat writer: Stick to the run and this one will be over nice and quick for the Broncos.
Ryan McFadden, beat writer: Having a fast start was a point of emphasis for the Broncos going into Thursday night. Based on what we have seen from the Saints on both sides of the ball, the Broncos should rely heavily on Javonte Williams in the second half to secure the win.
Sean Keeler, sports columnist: Halftime takeaway: A Saints D that can’t tackle and a Saints O with a rookie QB? Combined, that’s the best Homecoming gift Sean Payton could ask for. Next to a “W.” And he’s 30 minutes away.
Troy Renck, sports columnist: Broncos offense was better, started faster. Nix overcame some brutal missed throws to lead scoring drives. Javonte Williams is running angry. It helps that Saints defense is allergic to tackling. And predictably, Broncos defense making life hard for rookie QB Spencer Rattler. Now Denver has to finish. No excuses.
Matt Schubert, sports editor: A timeout to take a knee feels like the perfect way to end that half. Whatever the Saints could do wrong, they did. Even taking timeouts! Bo Nix looked shaky at times, but 16-3 is 16-3. Denver is one half away from having a winning record after seven weeks for the first time since 2016.
Second-quarter updates
Coaching questions (7:41 p.m.): What is Dennis Allen doing here? Taking timeouts to see if Spencer Rattler can turn it over before halftime? — Gabriel
Field goal (7:38 p.m.): Wil Lutz nails the 52-yard field goal. Broncos 16, Saints 3 with 16 seconds to go. — Nguyen
Wil Lutz Revenge Game continues. — Renck
Bo Nix is VERY lucky that last possession didn’t end in an interception. Tyrann Mathieu dropped the easiest pick he’ll get all season, and the Broncos cash in with another Wil Lutz field goal. This 16-3 lead feels insurmountable for Spencer Rattler.
The other side of that coin. Marvin Mims Jr. dropped a very catchable pass that likely negated any hope of a touchdown on the drive. Want more snaps Marvin? Gotta catch balls like that. — Schubert
Field goal (7:29 p.m.): Saints keeping a two score game a two score game. Make it make sense. It’s 13-3 Broncos with 1:57 left in half. — Renck
Big loss (7:26 p.m.): Broncos sniffed out a reverse run to Alvin Kamara, with Ja’Quan McMillian dropping Kamara for a big loss on first down. That was enough to snuff out a promising Saints drive. Field-goal attempt coming after the two-minute warning. — Schubert
Elusive (7:22 p.m.): Broncos had a chance to put this away on fourth-and-inches in Saints territory. Now New Orleans is driving and there’s some hope in the Big Easy. — Schubert
.@SpencerRattler on the run 🏃♂️#DENvsNO on Prime Video
Also streaming on #NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/SUsYjdiisU— NFL (@NFL) October 18, 2024
Spencer Rattler shows his wheels with 28-yard gain after avoiding a sack. Broncos defense needs to hold Saints to FG here. Broncos have thoroughly outplayed Saints, but 13-7 would feel like a hollow victory at half. — Renck
Baron Browning and Zach Allen got just a bit too far up the field getting after Rattler on third-and-2 and Rattler escaped for 28 yards. Big play to keep the Saints offense on the field late in the half. — Gabriel
Bo Nix update (7:20 p.m.): Bo Nix is 10 for 14 with 102 yards passing and yet I still can’t stop thinking about him missing Lucas Krull. — McFadden
Barton’s night (7:19 p.m.): Will be this remembered as The Cody Barton Game? I kid because I care. … But have a night Barton. — Renck
Starting to understand why there was a four-round gap between Bo Nix and the next quarterback drafted. — Schubert
Special player (7:17 p.m.): I’ve said this before and I’ll say it again, JL Skinner has been really good on special teams. — McFadden
Offensive run (7:16 p.m.): Broncos have 204 yards, exactly 102 on ground and through the air. After spotty start, Nix has completed 9 of his last 10 passes. — Renck
Touchdown, Broncos (7:14 p.m.): Javonte Williams, who’s been making tough runs all night, was untouched for an 8-yard touchdown run. Eight plays, 86 yards on the drive. Broncos 13, Saints 0 with 7:30 to go in the quarter. — Nguyen
Javonte Williams goes untouched into the end zone! #DENvsNO on Prime Video
Also streaming on #NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/00Bqt0nJiR— NFL (@NFL) October 18, 2024
Javonte Williams with easiest TD of pro career. Jogs in untouched from 8 yards out. Broncos offense starting to percolate, and man Saints’ defense is bad. Gotta believe this group gets Dennis Allen fired at some point. — Renck
Javonte Williams breaks through the invisible barrier that’s kept him out of the end zone all season. This is turning into a laugher. — Schubert
Oregon connection (7:12 p.m.): Nix developing chemistry with Franklin is encouraging. Franklin has No. 1 receiver traits with his athleticism and ability to create space off the line of scrimmage. — Renck
Nix to Franklin for a big gain! #DENvsNO on Prime Video
Also streaming on #NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/A68qlly2LB— NFL (@NFL) October 18, 2024
Injury (7:09 p.m.): Paulson Adebo is about to be carted off the field. He’s been down near the home sideline for several minutes. Most of the team around him. Tough scene. — Gabriel
A screen that works! (7:06 p.m.): A 9-yard gain for Javonte Williams on that screen. Saints cornerback Paulson Adebo is down on the field. Broncos at the Saints 49 with 9:52 to go in the quarter. — Nguyen
Great block from guard Ben Powers, creating an opportunity for Williams to get a first down on a 9-yard completion.
It’s been a minute since we’ve seen Javonte look this good. — McFadden
Big run (7:04 p.m.): Saints run defense has been bad. Like real bad. — McFadden
That was a 20-yard run up the gut for Javonte Williams. — Nguyen
Unforced errors (7:03 p.m.): If Bo Nix was a little more accurate and DJ Jones was a tad more patient, we’d be looking at a 21-0 lead for the Broncos right now. — Nguyen
Rough drive (7:02 p.m.): That’s one of the worst drives I’ve seen. — McFadden
More penalties (7 p.m.): Saints get a first down without running a play. Back-to-back offsides from the Broncos. No need to give this Saints team yards it probably can’t earn. — Schubert
Almost a TD (6:59 p.m.): Denver’s DJ Jones with the offsides which negated what would’ve been a dagger for the Broncos. Cody Barton picked up a fumble and runs into the end zone after Jordan Jackson sacks Spencer Rattler. — Nguyen
Deceiving numbers (6:57 p.m.): Bo Nix with the least accurate 7/11 start you may ever see in an NFL game. — Gabriel
Field goal (6:54 p.m.): Wil Lutz nails a 32-yard field goal to cap off a 10-play, 42-yard drive. Broncos 6, Saints 0 with 13:24 to go in the second quarter. — Nguyen
Broncos lead 6-0, but it feels like they should be up by a lot more. Nix gotta hit those open targets. — McFadden
Keeping it going (6:52 p.m.): Why stop what’s been working. Denver ran for 55 yards in the first quarter. Its first two plays in the second? A 5- and a 4-yard run. — Nguyen
First-quarter analysis — Broncos 3, Saints 0
Parker Gabriel, beat writer: This looks like a game plan Sean Payton fully tailored for Bo Nix.
Ryan McFadden, beat writer: I didn’t know it had to take Sean Payton returning to New Orleans for the offense to have some creativity in the run game.
Troy Renck, sports columnist: Bo Nix finishes strong in first quarter. Troy Franklin has 3 catches as #Broncos using slant routes he ran with aplomb at Oregon. Nix finishes quarter 7-for-10 for 54 yards and team-high 27 yards rushing. Payton using more motion, slants and Nix using his legs has been welcomed. Payton can say it was byproduct of short week. But let’s be real, it’s stuff needed and stuff Nix does well.
Matt Schubert, sports editor: Take away the hide-your-eyes end of the Broncos’ first drive, and there’s a lot to like from that first quarter. The Saints very much looked outclassed.
First-quarter updates
Creativity (6:47 p.m.): Most creative the Broncos run game has been this year early on tonight.
QB involvement, Mims at tailback for a snap, Pony with 38 and 33 out there together. — Gabriel
Javonte rumbles (6:44 p.m.): That’s a vintage Javonte Williams run. Get hit, carry the defender a few more yards for nearly the first. Bo Nix sneaks up the middle for the first down. — Nguyen
Javonte Williams is running angry tonight. Good sto see. I would still mix in Estime. But good to see. — Renck
Rattler’s woes (6:42 p.m.): Another issue Rattler had in college was playing under pressure. We are seeing those issues early. Vance Joseph’s defense should be in attack mode throughout the evening. — McFadden
By all rights, Cody Barton should be responsible for two turnovers right now. — Schubert
Fumble (6:40 p.m.): Cody Barton sacked Spencer Rattler and newly called up Kwon Alexander grabbed the recovery. Denver ball at their own 45. — Nguyen
.@Broncos force a fumble and recover the ball! #DENvsNO on Prime Video
Also streaming on #NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/q0O4BbRf2p— NFL (@NFL) October 18, 2024
Spencer Rattler had no idea what was coming for him on the blind side. Cody Barton just had a free shot. — Schubert
Cody Barton with the strip sack. See if it holds up to review. It should. Broncos defense understandably aggressive vs rookie making his second start. — Renck
Kwon Alexander, former Saints LB making his Broncos debut, on the fumble recovery there. — McFadden
Better passing (6:36 p.m.): Nix was 4 for 4 with 37 passing yards on that scoring drive. — McFadden
It’s going to be hard for me to unsee Bo Nix missing two wide open receivers with the same throw. — Schubert
Nix went 4-for-4 on the scoring drive. Part of that is calling routes that he is comfortable with. He has 25 yards rushing. He’s over 200 for the season and on pace for roughly 600 for the season. — Renck
Field goal, Broncos (6:33 p.m.): Wil Lutz nails a 46-yard field goal. Broncos 3, Saints 0 with 5:28 to go in the first quarter. — Nguyen
A solid drive from the Broncos on their second possession ends in a Wil Lutz field goal. Sean Payton stressed the importance of getting an early lead in this one. — Schubert
Feels like a concerted effort early on by Sean Payton to get Bo Nix in stuff he’s really comfortable with.
Designed runs, empty on that third-and-5, some tempo. — Gabriel
Running game (6:32 p.m.): Feels like the Broncos should consider running the ball more. — Schubert
Last run by McLaughlin notwithstanding, this Saints defense is no bueno. Broncos should be able to get whatever they want on the ground tonight. — Gabriel
Vele watch (6:30 p.m.): Devaughn Vele is making plays. Who’d have thought. — Gabriel
Let the young guys play. — McFadden
Mims sighting (6:29 p.m.): Nice to see Marvin Mims Jr has been removed from witness protection. — Renck
It’s their first year (6:28 p.m.): Rookie QBs looking like rookie QBs to start this one. Prepare for punts. — Schubert
Almost picked (6:27 p.m.): Denver gave Rattler a ton of pressure on that last play. When he aired it out, Cody Barton nearly picked it off. — Nguyen
Cody Barton should have had easy pick. Ball went right through his hands. Rattler was a mid-round draft prospect, in part, because of all the turnovers. He is tough kid with huge arm. But he will take risks. — Renck
Other rookie’s first pass (6:25 p.m.): Saints QB Spencer Rattler shows Bo Nix how to throw the ball downfield on his first toss of the game. — Schubert
Season debut (6:24 p.m.): Practice squad ILB Kwon Alexander is starting next to Cody Barton in base for the Broncos defense. — Gabriel
And another one (6:22 p.m.): This time Bo Nix was dealing with the Saints’ pressure. He’s 1 for 4 for 2 yards on the opening drive. — Nguyen
Wow. — Keeler
Bo Nix running the ball: Terrific.
Bo Nix passing the ball: Not so much. — Gabriel
Nix ran for two first downs. Could have three … His footwork remains a mess on throws. Missed wide open Krull and Mims on what should have been easy completions. Broncos forced to punt. Need to get the screen game going. — Renck
Those were scary bad throws from Bo Nix to begin this game. — Schubert
Another miss (6:21 p.m.): Once again, Nix’s shaky footwork impacts his down field throwing. — McFadden
Big miss (6:20 p.m.): Bo gotta make that throw. — McFadden
And then he misses Lucas Krull by a MILE.
In his defense, there were TWO guys who were wide open on that play. And he threw it between both of them. — Schubert
Another big run (6:19 p.m.): An 8-yard run for Nix gives the Broncos their second first down of the game. — Nguyen
Broncos take the ball to start and Bo Nix has already run for a pair of first down. — Schubert
Run, Bo, run (6:17 p.m.): Bo Nix starts with a 14-yard scramble up the middle. — Nguyen
Coin toss (6:16 p.m.): Saints will the coin toss. Denver will receive. — Nguyen
Pre-game updates
Reunion (5:28 p.m.): Sean Payton walked the length of the visitors’ sideline here with cameras flanking him the whole way. Made his way over to say hello to his family, Drew Brees and a few others. And a big hug for Saints owner Gayle Benson, too. — Gabriel
Inactives (4:47 p.m.): Broncos inactives tonight:
- CB Pat Surtain II (concussion)
- OL Alex Palczewski (ankle)
- QB Zach Wilson (emergency 3rd QB)
- TE Greg Dulcich
- CB Kris Abrams-Draine
- DL Eyioma Uwazurike
- OLB Dondrea Tillman
Tillman down with Baron Browning back. Dulcich is inactive for the third straight game. That means Lucas Krull will continue to get work as Denver’s primary pass-catching threat at TE.
The Saints have a brutal set of inactives, especially considering they also put WR Rashid Shaheed on IR today with a knee injury:
- QB Derek Carr
- TE Taysom Hill
- WR Chris Olave
- LB Pete Werner
- RB Jordan Mims
- DT Khalen Saunders
- OL Cesar Ruiz
— Gabriel
McGlinchey update (4:33 p.m.): Broncos RT Mike McGlinchey’s not wearing a brace on that left knee currently but he did during the practice week. At the moment he’s getting some pass set reps in on the field with the help of rookie OL Frank Crum. — Gabriel
Reunion (4:14 p.m.): A lot of handshakes and hugs on field level. There are 9 Broncos players who were on Saints. And 13 Broncos staffers. And some former Broncos in New Orleans with coaches Klint Kubiak, the OC, and senior assistant Rick Dennison. — Renck
Drew Brees goes into Saints Hall of Fame at halftime. These towels are on all the seats. #Broncos v #Saints pic.twitter.com/KLqMSZZz9i
— Troy Renck (@TroyRenck) October 17, 2024
Coming off IR (3:29 p.m.): Good Thursday afternoon from the Superdome in New Orleans. The Broncos look to bounce back from a Sunday loss to the Chargers tonight here against the Saints. It’ll be an emotional night for a lot of folks here given that Drew Brees is set to be inducted into the Saints Hall of Fame and it’s Sean Payton’s return to the city for the first time since he resigned as the New Orleans head coach after the 2021 season.
The Broncos have already made a series of roster moves and get a trio of players back from injured reserve tonight in Mike McGlinchey, Baron Browning and Damarri Mathis. They waived rookie RB Blake Watson, signed S Tanner McCalister to the practice squad and elevated OL Calvin Throckmorton and ILB Kwon Alexander from the practice squad. — Gabriel
Scouting report (2 p.m.): Check out how the Broncos match up with the Saints in Ryan McFadden’s scouting report.
Game predictions
Parker Gabriel, beat writer: Saints 20, Broncos 17
Denver is a road favorite. New Orleans is without its top two receiving targets and gave up 51 points Sunday to Tampa Bay. This is a game Denver should win and it wouldn’t be surprising if that’s the end result. It’s going to be a live wire crowd in Sean Payton’s return to the Superdome, though. He knows all about what that environment can do for the home team and on this night, that prevails.
Ryan McFadden, beat writer: Broncos 24, Saints 14
The Broncos should win this game, right? The Saints have lost four straight while the offense is missing a couple of key pieces. The Broncos should play up-tempo, score points early and let the defense carry them to victory. However, it’s prime time and we are uncertain how Bo Nix will meet the moment. Also, the Saints might have the upper hand since Sean Payton hasn’t changed anything from what he did in New Orleans. This game really could go either way, but I’m taking the Broncos.
Troy Renck, columnist: Broncos 24, Saints 20
For the better part of eight years, the Broncos have been a get-right game for opponents. Just like with Sean Payton on the visiting sideline, the script has been flipped. The Saints defense can’t stop the run, can’t defend the pass and features a battery of injured players. Other than that, they are the ‘85 Bears. If the Broncos offense stinks Thursday, it is time to sound the alarm. Given Payton’s knowledge of Dennis Allen’s scheme, I expect the Broncos to start fast as they did in Tampa Bay, then tie a knot and hang on.
Matt Schubert, sports editor: Saints 20, Broncos 19
Thursday Night Football can get weird. Especially when it’s accompanied by the sort of drama attached to this one. By most accounts, the Broncos are the better, less injury-depleted team. Their rookie quarterback has seen more NFL defenses than the other guys’ rookie quarterback. And yet this one feels off. The loss of Pat Surtain II cannot be understated. The Saints and Spencer Rattler now have the entire field to work with. In the end, that’s enough to eke out an ugly one in the Big Easy.
Broncos-Saints NFL Week 7: Must-reads
Sean Payton’s return to New Orleans is a nostalgia bomb and a reminder: There’s work to be done in Broncos Country
They won often. They won big. They won easily. They faced scandal and hardship, too, over the years, but they became part of the fabric of the city. Inextricably linked to both the place and each other.
Now Sean Payton leads the Broncos to the Superdome and in the process will for the first time occupy the unfamiliar half of the most familiar stadium he’s ever been in. It may be the most uncomfortable he’s felt there since that day 18 years ago when Drew Brees crunched the top of his Land Rover.
Nostalgia will pump through the building between Payton — and the nearly two dozen Broncos staffers and players who used to work or play in New Orleans — being back, the induction of Brees into the Saints’ Hall of Fame and all of the former players who will be on hand to see both, Parker Gabriel reports. Read the full story.
Broncos prepare for life without Pat Surtain II in matchup vs. Saints
Pat Surtain II suiting up on game day has felt like a guarantee for the Broncos since his rookie season in 2021. The team is expected to enter a new reality on Thursday night.
Denver’s All-Pro cornerback hasn’t missed a game since Jan. 8, 2022, when the Broncos faced Kansas City in the final week of the regular season. Since then, he’s played in 40 straight games, but that streak could end against the Saints due to a concussion that kept him out of Tuesday’s walkthrough practice.
Unlike Sunday’s loss to the Chargers when defensive coordinator Vance Joseph had to make adjustments on the fly, he has time to prepare for life without Surtain on prime time at the Superdome, Ryan McFadden reports. Read the full story.
Renck: When it comes to New Orleans and Sean Payton, it’s bigger than football: “He rejuvenated the city”
Payton returns on Thursday night for the first time since he resigned following the 2021 season. The head coach oversees a flawed Broncos team eager to remain relevant against a desperate Saints team that has dropped four straight.
If Payton had arrived a month ago, when the Saints were averaging 45 points, perhaps he would have felt the wrath of Who Dat Nation. Talking to a wide swath of fans and locals leading up to kickoff, it is obvious Payton remains a civic treasure.
“I think we will welcome him with open arms. There will probably be some people still mad he quit, but I don’t think there will be much of that,” said Janelle Bays, a waitress at Daisy Dukes Express Southern, whose father has Saints season tickets. “He was burned out. I think everybody has their time and moves on. I know I will cheer for him.” Read Troy Renck’s full column.
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