The New Orleans Saints (2-4) will be at home to host the Denver Broncos (3-3) on Thursday Night Football inside the Caesars Superdome.
The Saints went hosted the Buccaneers in a wild back-and-forth first half that saw the home team leading 27-24 at the half. However, Tampa outscored NOLA 27-0 in the second half, earning the 51-27 win that gave the Saints their fourth straight loss.
Kickoff inside the Superdome is set for 7:15 PM on Thursday, October 17th.
WHO’S STILL HERE?
The injuries have not slowed down as the Saints losing streak has continued. The injury report early in the week once again featured more than 30% of the roster. Several key contributors remain out, and now receivers Chris Olave and Rashid Shaheed may both miss the game.
In what is a pivotal game for New Orleans, they will be relying on plenty of players who originally figured to be depth pieces and/or special teamers.
HOMECOMING
This game has been circled on the calendar for quite some time. It is the return of Sean Payton, back to the place where he won a Super Bowl and coached the Black and Gold for more than a decade.
He brings plenty of familiar faces with him, as so many members of his coaching staff were also Saints coaches at one point or another. He even has several players on the roster that fans will recognize.
While it will be interesting to see what kind of reception Payton gets, one thing is for sure: the Saints NEED this win. They would love to get it against the former coach of the team.
HOW TO LOSE A SEASON IN 10 DAYS
The NFL schedule makers did not do the Saints any favors this season. After a Monday night game in Kansas City, New Orleans had to play on a short week against the Bucs last Sunday.
Now, they play on another short week, this time even shorter as it is a Thursday game. That makes three games in 10 days, a nearly unprecedented task for an NFL team.
To make things worse, the Saints have lost the first two. If they lose the third, the season will be slipping away further and further.
SERIES RECORD: Broncos Lead 9-3
Last 5 Meetings:
2020: BRONCOS 3 – SAINTS 31
2016: BRONCOS 25 – SAINTS 23
2012: BRONCOS 34 – SAINTS 14
2008: BRONCOS 34 – SAINTS 32
2004: BRONCOS 34 – SAINTS 13
STAT LEADERS
SAINTS
Derek Carr: 90-of-128, 989 yards, 8 TD, 4 INT
Alvin Kamara: 104 carries, 428 yards, 6 TD
Rashid Shaheed: 20 catches, 349 yards, 3 TD
Bryan Bresee: 4 Sacks
Paulson Adebo: 46 tackles (40 solo)
Paulson Adebo: 3 INT
Blake Grupe: 10-of-10 Field Goals, Long of 57, 17-of-19 PAT
BRONCOS
Bo Nix: 121-of-198, 1,082 yards, 5 TD, 5 INT
Javonte Williams: 59 carries, 213 yards, 0 TD
Courtland Sutton: 21 catches, 277 yards, 2 TD
Jonathon Cooper: 4.5 Sacks
Brandon Jones: 44 Tackles (28 solo)
Patrick Surtain II: 2 INT
Wil Lutz: 13-of-14 Field Goals, Long of 51, 9-of-9 PAT
NOTABLE INJURIES:
Saints
Taysom Hill, TE, Rib, Doubtful
Cesar Ruiz, OG, Knee, Out
Lucas Patrick, G, Chest, Questionable
Pete Werner, LB, Hamstring, Out
Chris Olave, WR, Concussion, Out
Rashid Shaheed, WR, Knee, Out
Derek Carr, QB, Chest, Out
Khalen Saunders, DT, Back, Questionable
Broncos
Pat Surtain II, CB, Concussion, Out
Alex Palczewski, T, Ankle, Out
Damarri Mathis, CB, Ankle, Questionable
Baron Browning, LB, Questionable
Mike McGlinchey, T, Questionable
