NEW ORLEANS — The Broncos have earned an important win in the bayou.
The Broncos never trailed in Head Coach Sean Payton's return to New Orleans, as Denver built a double-digit first-half lead to earn a 33-10 win over the Saints.
Denver's ground game helped power the team to a win, as the Broncos rushed for their most yards on the ground since the 2013 season. And against a rookie quarterback in Spencer Rattler, the Broncos' defense allowed just three points until the waning moments of the fourth quarter.
"Obviously it was a good team win," Payton said. "We did a lot of things well tonight."
With a win over the Saints, the Broncos improve to 4-3 on the season and have earned three double-digit victories on the year.
These were the players and plays that made the difference in the Broncos' Week 7 win over the New Orleans Saints.
GAME-CHANGING MOMENT
The Broncos held an edge for nearly the entire game, but they led by just one possession entering the second quarter. That changed when the Broncos pieced together an 8-play, 86-yard drive in the early stages of the second frame. Keyed by a 20-yard Javonte Williams run and a 30-yard pass from Bo Nix to Troy Franklin, Denver moved the ball into the red zone — and Williams capped the drive off with a touchdown. The Saints were forced to play catch-up the rest of the game, and the Broncos' defense was able to get after Rattler. Denver pushed its lead even higher in the second half, but the early advantage translated to a win.
DEFINING STATISTIC
225.
The Broncos posted their most prolific rushing performance in more than a decade, as Denver rushed for 225 yards and set the tone for the game. Williams posted the first game of his career with multiple rushing touchdowns, and he paced the Broncos with 88 yards and 6.3 yards per carry. Nix also carried the ball 10 times for 75 yards, averaging 7.5 yards per carry. New Orleans, meanwhile, tallied fewer than 100 yards on the ground.
Though the Broncos weren't perfect offensively, they used their ground game to earn the advantage in Thursday's win. In part due to their run game, the Broncos held a time-of-possession edge and built a lead that was too drastic for the Saints to overcome.
MEMORABLE HIGHLIGHT
Inside linebacker Cody Barton made a play early, as he flew off the edge at midfield and clobbered Rattler. The ball flew free, and inside linebacker Kwon Alexander recovered the fumble to give the Broncos possession. Barton, though, wasn't done. Late in the game, Ja'Quan McMillian burst off the edge to strip-sack Rattler, and the ball landed in Barton's arms. He returned the ball 52 yards for a score to give Denver a defensive touchdown.
BOX-SCORE STANDOUTS
Running back Javonte Williams rushed for 88 yards and scored multiple rushing touchdowns for the first time in his career.
Outside linebacker Nik Bonitto is the first Broncos player with sack streak of at least five games since Von Miller in 2018.
Kicker Wil Lutz, in his own return to New Orleans, made all four of his field-goal attempts, including one from 52 yards.
Inside linebacker Cody Barton tied for the team lead in tackles to go along with his strip-sack and touchdown.
