Check out the game action shots from the New Orleans Saints Thursday Night Football game against the Denver Broncos in Week 7 of the 2024 NFL Season on Oct. 17, 2024 in the Caesars Superdome.
The Denver Broncos overpowered a depleted New Orleans Saints lineup to win 33-10 on "Thursday Night Football" at the Caesars Superdome.
Denver running back Javonte Williams had two touchdown runs and former Saints kicker Wil Lutz had four field goals (46, 32, 52 and 38 yards). Rookie quarterback Bo Nix did as much damage with his legs as his arm as he ran for 75 yards, part of a 225-yard rushing effort by Denver (4-3).
It is the Saints' fifth consecutive loss and drops them to 2-5.
Rookie Spencer Rattler had to start at quarterback again with Derek Carr still sidelined by an oblique injury. Rattler was 25 of 35 for 172 yards with two lost fumbles, the second one was returned for a touchdown late in the fourth quarter. Second-year quarterback Jake Haener played the final possession and threw a 12-yard touchdown pass to Cedric Wilson with 1:22 to play. It was the first touchdown pass of Haener's career.
The Saints entered the game without their starting quarterback, their top two receivers (Chris Olave, Rashid Shaheed), Taysom Hill, their starting left guard, center, right guard and their backup center and left guard. The absences were notable as the offense couldn't get anything going against Denver.
Running back Alvin Kamara ran for 10 yards on seven carries and caught six passes for 14 yards. The top receiver was Mason Tipton with three catches for 21 yards.
The Saints lost both of their starting cornerbacks in the game. Paulson Adebo had to be carted off the field in the second quarter with a right knee injury and Marshon Lattimore left in the third quarter with a hamstring injury. The team also lost left guard Nick Saldiveri to a shoulder injury, forcing the Saints to play rookie Kyle Hergel, one of 10 rookies to see significant action Thursday (Rattler, receiver Bub Means, receiver Mason Tipton, left tackle Taliese Fuaga, Hergel, cornerback Kool-Aid McKinstry, cornerback Rico Payton, returner Jermaine Jackson and punter Matthew Hayball).
Second-year running back Kendre Miller saw his first action of the season and had six carries for 36 yards, most coming in the fourth quarter.
The Saints will have an extra few days off before playing at the Los Angeles Chargers on Oct. 27.