Live Updates: Broncos vs. Saints as Sean Payton Returns to New Orleans
The New Orleans Saints will face off against the Denver Broncos in a quick turnaround “Thursday Night Football” game to kick off Week 7.
Both teams are looking to bounce back after tough losses last week. The Saints (2-4) recently suffered a devastating defeat against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, where they conceded 51 points. Rookie Spencer Rattler made his NFL debut as a starter due to Derek Carr’s injury.
Rattler will face a stiff challenge from a Broncos defense that ranks fourth in the league for fewest yards allowed per game. Nonetheless, Denver’s star cornerback Patrick Surtain II is sidelined with a concussion he sustained on the first defensive play of their Week 6 loss. The Saints are struggling, currently on a four-game losing streak after starting the season with two significant victories.
The Broncos’ offense has been inconsistent lately with rookie quarterback Bo Nix, having gone scoreless in the first half during three of their six games this season. Notably, head coach Sean Payton will be opposing his former team for the first time after leading the Saints for 15 years.
Stay tuned for live scores, highlights, and other updates from the Week 7 “Thursday Night Football” action:
Blake Grupe Scores First Points for Saints
New Orleans’ drive was halted at the Denver 17-yard line right after a significant gain from Rattler. However, Grupe successfully converted a 35-yard field goal to score the team’s first points.
The Broncos currently lead 13-3 with just under two minutes left in the half.
Spencer Rattler Makes Impressive Play
Rattler stumbled on his dropback but managed to evade pressure from the Broncos and ran to the left, gaining 28 yards and achieving a first down. This was the longest run of the night for the Saints so far.
New Orleans is now just outside the red zone with three minutes remaining in the first half.
Javonte Williams Scores Touchdown for Broncos
Following a significant play by Troy Franklin, Williams received a handoff and smoothly ran 8 yards into the end zone, extending the Broncos’ lead without any defenders touching him.
As the second quarter halfway point passes, Denver leads 13-0.
Troy Franklin Gains 30 Yards for Broncos
The connection between rookie quarterback Bo Nix and his former college teammate helped move the Broncos inside the red zone again, marking Nix’s longest completion of the night.
Injury Update: Paulson Adebo Injured
Cornerback Paulson Adebo of the Saints was injured during the fourth play of a Broncos drive and had to be carted off the field with an air cast on his leg.
We will share injury updates as they become available.
Javonte Williams Continues to Shine
Williams broke free for his longest run yet, gaining 20 yards as the Broncos took over after a Saints punt, bringing them to their own 38-yard line during their second drive of the quarter.
He has emerged as one of the most effective players so far, accumulating 49 yards on six carries (8.2 yards per attempt) and 15 yards on two receptions.
Offsides Penalty Nullifies Broncos Touchdown
During the first play of the Saints’ following drive, Rattler tried to escape pressure but was strip-sacked. Cody Barton recovered what seemed to be a fumble return for a touchdown, but it was called back due to D.J. Jones being offsides before the play.
Wil Lutz Adds to Broncos’ Score
Not long after opening the scoring, Lutz successfully made a 32-yard field goal, further increasing the Broncos’ lead to 6-0.
End of First Quarter: Broncos 3, Saints 0
After Denver’s takeaway, they are driving towards the red zone as the second quarter begins, with a first-and-10 from the Saints’ 17-yard line.
Broncos’ Defensive Pressure Causes Turnover
Cody Barton put the pressure on rookie quarterback Rattler on the Saints’ second drive, knocking the ball free before Rattler could throw. Kwon Alexander recovered the fumble, giving the Broncos possession at their own 45-yard line.
Wil Lutz Scores First Points of the Game
After a solid eighth-play Broncos drive got halted at the New Orleans 28-yard line, Lutz came on to successfully kick a 46-yard field goal, putting Denver ahead against his former team.
The score is 3-0 in favor of the Broncos, with five and a half minutes remaining in the first quarter.
Game Start Time: Saints vs. Broncos
- Date: Thursday, October 17
- Time: 8:15 PM ET
The Saints and Broncos clash will commence Week 7 of the 2024 NFL season with “Thursday Night Football” starting at 8:15 PM ET.
TV Channel for Saints vs. Broncos
- Streaming Live: Amazon Prime Video
You can exclusively watch “Thursday Night Football” on Amazon Prime Video.
Stream “Thursday Night Football” with a Prime Video subscription.
Odds and Betting for Broncos vs. Saints
According to BetMGM NFL odds, the Broncos are favored to win against the Saints. If you’re interested in betting, explore the best mobile sports betting platforms featuring NFL betting promotions for 2024, such as the ESPN BET app and Fanatics Sportsbook promo code.
- Spread: Broncos (-3)
- Moneyline: Broncos (-150); Saints (+125)
- Over/Under: 37
Predictions and Picks for Broncos vs. Saints
Here are the predictions made by the YSL News Sports team for the Week 7 “Thursday Night Football” game:
- Lorenzo Reyes: Broncos 17, Saints 13
- Tyler Dragon: Saints 20, Broncos 17
- Richard Morin: Broncos 33, Saints 32
- Jordan Mendoza: Broncos 22, Saints 20
NFC South Standings
The Saints are currently in third place in the NFC South ahead of the Week 7 “TNF” matchup. Even with a win tonight, New Orleans would remain in third place.
- Falcons 4-2
- Buccaneers 4-2
- Saints 2-4
- Panthers 1-5
AFC West Standings
The Broncos sit in third place in the AFC West entering the Week 7 “TNF” game.
- Chiefs 5-0
- Chargers 3-2
- Broncos 3-3
- Raiders 2-4
Weather Update for Broncos vs. Saints
The weather in New Orleans will be clear, with a kickoff temperature around 64 degrees and dipping to 61 degrees by midnight. As per the Weather Channel, wind speeds will reach a maximum of five mph, with a 0% chance of rain throughout the game. The match will occur indoors at the Caesars Superdome, making weather conditions irrelevant.
Announcers for Thursday Night Football on Amazon Prime Video
Al Michaels will handle play-by-play commentary, with Kirk Herbstreit serving as the analyst. Kaylee Hartung will report from the sidelines, and Terry McAulay will offer rules analysis.
The pregame, halftime, and postgame shows on Prime Video will be hosted by Charissa Thompson, featuring insights from former NFL stars Ryan Fitzpatrick, Tony Gonzalez, Richard Sherman, and Andrew Whitworth as analysts.
Taylor Rooks will serve as the feature reporter for Prime Video’s coverage of “Thursday Night Football,” alongside Albert Breer who will provide reports and analysis.
Injury Report for New Orleans Saints
OUT
- QB Derek Carr
- TE Taysom Hill
- WR Chris Olave
- WR Rashid Shaheed (IR)
- LB Pete Werner
- RB Jordan Mims
- DT Khalen Saunders
- G Cesar Ruiz
Injury Report for Denver Broncos
OUT
- CB Pat Surtain II
- QB Zach Wilson (emergency third QB)
- CB Kris Abrams-Draine
- T Alex Palczewski
- TE Greg Dulcich
- EDGE Dondrea Tillman
- DL Eyioma Uwazurike
Historical Context: Saints vs. Broncos
These two teams have faced each other twelve times historically. The Broncos hold the upper hand with a 9-3 overall record. Their last encounter was in November 2020, where the Saints won decisively 31-3 in Denver. Taysom Hill was quarterback for the Saints, stepping in for the injured Drew Brees, while the Broncos were led by Kendall Hinton, a practice squad receiver utilized after all their quarterbacks were placed on the Covid-19 list.
Sean Payton’s Return: Revisiting the Trade
Sean Payton will return to the Caesars Superdome sidelines for the first time since January 2, 2022. He is now coaching the Denver Broncos after previously holding the head coach position for 15 seasons with the Saints, becoming the franchise’s winningest coach.
Al Michaels’ Salary for ‘Thursday Night Football’ on Amazon Prime
According to an initial report by Andrew Marchand of the New York Post, Al Michaels signed a three-year contract worth more than $30 million. However, it is speculated that this figure may have increased since then. Roughly a week after the first report, Marchand noted that Michaels’ deal would be similar to Joe Buck’s contract, who had signed a five-year, $75 million agreement ($15 million per year) with ESPN around the same time.
Highest Paid NFL Players by Position
We have compiled a complete list of the top-earning players in the NFL across all positions:
- Quarterbacks
- Running Backs
- Wide Receivers
- Tight Ends
- Offensive Linemen
- Tackles
- Offensive guards
- Centers
- Edge rushers
- Interior defensive linemen
- Linebackers
- Cornerbacks
- Safeties
- Kickers
- Punters
Who holds the title of highest-paid NFL player?
According to OverTheCap.com, all of the 18 highest-paid players in the NFL, based on average annual salary, are quarterbacks. Recently, Dak Prescott, the quarterback for the Dallas Cowboys, made headlines as the league’s highest-paid player after signing a contract worth $240 million for four years. Following him, Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson is the first non-quarterback on this lucrative list, having secured a four-year contract extension worth $140 million this offseason.