5 key takeaways from Saints-Broncos Week 7 TNF clash

The New Orleans Saints welcomed former head coach Sean Payton back to the Superdome on Thursday when they hosted the Denver Broncos. However, it would turn out to be an ugly, lopsided affair.

On the same night as former franchise quarterback Drew Brees' induction into the franchise's Hall of Fame, they were utterly routed 33-10 as the visitors overran and outran them 225 yards to 97.

Here are five key takeaways from the Broncos' win over the Saints on Thursday Night Football.

5 takeaways from Denver Broncos' 33-10 win over New Orleans Saints on TNF

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#5. The "Aint's" era is back in New Orleans

2-5.

That is the Saints' record after the loss. It is eerily reminiscent of their early days in the NFL, where they were among the punching bags of the league, constantly losing games, often in blowout fashion.

With Spencer Rattler failing to perform as advertised in relief of Derek Carr, dark times may lie ahead once again in the Big Easy – not the ideal situation GM Mickey Loomis wants to be in.

#4. Bo Nix is looking like the Broncos' quarterback of the future

During the 2016 offseason, the Broncos were in a quandary. Peyton Manning had retired and Brock Osweiler had spurned them for the Houston Texans. Thus began a string of quarterback disappointments that climaxed with the failed Russell Wilson experiment.

And then, there is Bo Nix. While he lost his first two games, he broke out in his third, engineering a major upset of the NFC South champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He has continued to be at worst serviceable since then, now holding a winning record.

#3. Saints offense badly needs top wideouts

Michael Thomas was something special for the Saints during his tenure, as he set multiple records and played a crucial part in their playoff runs. So when he was released in 2024 after a spate of injuries, one could not help but feel that something within the offense had disappeared.

And that sentiment was prevalent on Thursday. With Chris Olave and Rashid Shaheed absent, the receiving game sputtered, with Cedrick Wilson Jr. and Mason Tipton combining for a paltry 102 yards on a dozen catches. The Broncos were any better though, but Bo Nix did not pass much when he and the running backs were dominating on the ground.

Such a performance goes to show how badly the top wideouts are needed to be competitive.

#2. Broncos defense shines against the run

Speaking of the run game, the Saints also sputtered there.

Credit, however, should be given to the Broncos' defense, which limited that whole unit to only 97 yards. Alvin Kamara and Jamaal Williams, each capable of dominating games, were dominated, failing to hit even 20 yards. In fact, the top rushers were sophomore Kendre Miller and Spencer Rattler; and even they combined for just 70, less than what Javonte Williams and Bo Nix managed, each.

#1. Dennis Allen needs to be fired

It cannot be overstated enough: Dennis Allen may be a good assistant coach, but he is not a good head coach.

Look at his disastrous tenure with the then-Oakland Raiders. In 2012 and 2013, the team went 4-12; then they lost the first four games of 2014 before he was fired. Now he is about to run the franchise that he helped win a Super Bowl to the ground, and one can bet that Mickey Loomis and owner Gayle Benson are very unhappy about it.