There is no place like home. The Denver Broncos gave coach Sean Payton the only gift he would have wanted in his first time back to the ‘Big Easy’, New Orleans, claiming a dominate 33-10 victory on Thursday Night Football.
Payton is royalty in the Bayou, having coached the Saints for 15 seasons, from 2006-2021, leading them to the postseason nine times and a title in 2010 in Super Bowl XLIV against the Indianapolis Colts.
When he chose to leave the Saints in 2021 after coaching the most games ever for the team, Payton posted a 152-89 record as well as holding the franchise records for the highest winning percentage (63%) and most wins in team history.
But none of those nostalgic memories and feelings stood in his current team’s way as he came into the Superdome with the Broncos and delivered a knockout punch on what he called an “emotional” evening.
“It meant a lot,” Payton said of getting the game ball after the victory. “Fortunately, and I say this respectfully, it was just two days of prep and we’re here. So not a lot of sleep. It kind of keeps your mind off of it because there are so many things that you have to get done.
“My big concern was just not having enough rest and so I slept today for a while and then came over here early just to get started going through the game plan again. But it meant a lot because there were a lot of moments here and you get a chance to see old players that are here.”
The Broncos were not threatened by the undermanned Saints, who were playing with rookie quarterback Spencer Rattler out of the University of South Carolina, as starter Derek Carr was out with an oblique injury, building a 30-point lead by the midway point of the fourth quarter.
Embed from Getty ImagesWhile Denver’s rookie quarterback Bo Nix had his struggles throughout the game, he found a way to made key throws at the right moments and showed off his athleticism, rushing 10 times for 75 yards.
Nix was also helped by an effective ground and pound attack and a solid kicking performance.
Halfback Javonte Williams had 14 carries for 88 yards and two touchdowns, while kicker Wil Lutz, also a former Saints player for seven years, did not miss a kick, hitting all four of his field goals and all three of his extra points even while he was continuously getting booed.
New Orleans got its only touchdown of the game with just over a minute remaining in the contest, which could only be described as a subpar and lackluster performance. That score came after Rattler left the game with an injury, with second-year quarterback Jake Haener throwing a 12-yard pass to Cedrick Wilson Jr.
The huge loss set some unfavorable history for New Orleans. It was the first time the team has lost back-to-back home games by 20 or more points since 2001, according to NFL Research.
It was a disappointing effort on what was supposed to be a memorable evening for the Saints.
For many fans in attendance, the halftime festivities were the only thing they had to cheer about and was the highlight of the night. At halftime, Payton’s longtime quarterback with New Orleans, Drew Brees, was inducted into the team’s Hall of Fame. Payton said afterwards it was “good to see” Brees after so many years together.
Brees also was honored at an event earlier in the day, during which Payton made an appearance to congratulate the star player he coached for 14 seasons.
“It’s always good to see him,” Payton said.
Brees’ 80,358 career yards passing rank second in NFL history only behind his friend and rival Tom Brady’s 89,214.
The Broncos host Andy Dalton and the Carolina Panthers on Sunday, October 27.
The Saints are on the road to take on Justin Herbert and the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday, October 27.
