Denver Broncos vs New Orleans Saints: Box score, player stats and summary feat. Bo Nix and Spencer Rattler

It was the battle between rookie quarterbacks, it was the return of the formerly beloved head coach; it was the Denver Broncos facing the New Orleans Saints in the Superdome for a mammoth Thursday Night Football game. Add to it that Drew Brees was in the building to be inducted into the team's Hall of Fame and the subplots were plentiful going into this match.

However, it was a different feeling for the players. The Saints were 2-4 for the season and had lost their last four games. They were missing starting quarterback Derek Carr and starting wide receivers Chris Olave and Rashid Shaheed. They were looking to break the cycle and put themselves back in contention in the NFC South.

The Broncos came into this matchup with a 3-3 record. They were looking to get to a winning percentage and accrue some momentum. The Kansas City Chiefs and Los Angeles Chargers are setting the pace ahead of them in the AFC West and this was an important game in that context.

Here is how the action went down:

Broncos vs. Saints box scores

Broncos Box Scores

Passing

Rushing

Receiving

Defense

Kicking

Saints Box Scores

Passing

Rushing

Receiving

Defense

Kicking

Broncos vs. Saints game summary

Sean Payton returned to his previous stomping grounds and left with a thoroughly comprehensive victory against his old team.

The tone was set right from the first quarter. The two teams exchanged punts before the Broncos got the scoreboard moving with a field goal. With Denver dominating the time of possession, the last thing the Saints needed was a fumble but that is exactly what happened as Spencer Rattler was hit when attempting to throw.

The Broncos got the ball back and scored another field goal in the ensuing drive to open the scoring in the second quarter. Another punt by the Saints allowed Bo Nix to engineer a drive that led to the first touchdown of the game by running back Javonte Williams, which made the score 13-0 in favor of the visiting team.

The two teams would exchange a couple of field goals before the home team entered the break with their fans' boos ringing in their years as they trailed 16-3.

The one-way traffic resumed in the second half with a punt by the Saints in their first drive giving the ball to the Broncos to score a field goal with their opening offensive action of the second half. Things got worse as on Denver scored on their next possession with Javonte Williams getting his second of the night.

With the score 26-3 going into the fourth quarter, the game was already out of sight with New Orleans showing no hint of offensive firepower. However, worse was to follow for the home fans as their team first turned it over on downs. The supporters in the Superdome thought they had something to cheer when the Broncos fumbled next but the Saints returned the favor in the ensuing drive.

Spencer Rattler was sacked and he lost the ball, which was recovered by Denver linebacker Cody Barton and returned for a defensive touchdown. With the score now 33-3, Dennis Allen downed tools and brought in quarterback Jake Haener to see New Orleans through garbage time.

He turned out to be the one bit of positive for the Saints in this game as he completed three of his four passes and connected for a touchdown to Cedrick Wilson Jr.

The home team then tried to mount an unlikely comeback with an onside kick but the Broncos were ready for it. A couple of kneel-downs later the game ended 33-10 in favor of the visitors, with New Orleans now falling to 2-5 and Denver improving to 4-3 for the season.