OFFENSE – B+
If this was a grade for just the Broncos’ run game, it would be A++. Denver ran for 225 yards, the most for the team since 2013. It bulldozed a beleaguered, battered New Orleans team from start to finish. Javonte Williams rumbled. Bo Nix dashed. The offensive line bashed. Jaleel McLaughlin scooted. The passing game… more hit and miss. Nix hit some plays down the field, but he also missed some big opportunities and had a couple of near interceptions. For the fourth time in seven games, Denver didn’t have a passing touchdown. Those things are easier to let slide in a performance like this one, but they will come back to bite this team later in the year if Nix doesn’t continue to make progress.
For this game, though, Sean Payton had a good offensive plan and the guys up front made sure the Saints felt it. That’s plenty good going into a long weekend.
DEFENSE – A
Vance Joseph’s group shook off a rocky outing Sunday after Pat Surtain II’s concussion and authored one of its most dominant outings yet this year. They harassed rookie QB Spencer Rattler from the jump, sacking him six times, intercepting him and returning a fumble for a touchdown in the fourth quarter. They allowed just 4.1 yards per play, stopped 12 of 17 third-down chances after the Chargers dominated in that department last time out and overall never allowed New Orleans to settle into any kind of offensive groove.
Easy to forget with all the Payton talk this week that New Orleans represents a homecoming for Joseph, too. And the Marerro native had as good a day at the office as he could have asked for.
SPECIAL TEAMS – A
The Wil Lutz revenge game. Payton and the Broncos traded for Lutz at the roster cutdown in the summer of 2023 and he’s been rock solid ever since. Returning to the place he spent several years, Lutz connected on all four of his field goal attempts — from 32, 38, 46 and 52 just before halftime — and all three extra points. Lutz has now made 17 of 18 field goals on the season and gives a group that’s struggled in the red zone (and did again Thursday night) reassurance that they’ll more often than not at least get three points out of a productive drive. With a rookie quarterback and a high-quality defense, that’s important.
COACHING – A-
Broncos players wanted this game for Payton in his return to the Bayou. They wanted it for the 13 staffers and nine players who spent time previously with the Saints organization. But, to be clear, they also wanted it because they didn’t like the way they played against Los Angeles on Sunday and knew the importance of getting to 4-3 ahead of a three-day break.
Payton took a smart approach to the week by simplifying the preparation and essentially relying on what Denver knows best. He won’t be satisfied with the way Nix and the offense finished drives, but it’s much better to pick nits after a resounding win. Thursday night games are about attitude, approach and energy. The Broncos dominated in those departments.
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