Denny Medley-Imagn Images/Sipa USA
Denver Broncos vs New Orleans Saints: Can the Saints beat somebody?
The Denver Broncos are visiting the New Orleans Saints at Caesars Superdome on Thursday evening.
Can the Broncos bounce back?
The Denver Broncos are third in the AFC West with a 3-3 record. They have had a couple of solid performances so far in the season, but the inconsistency of quarterback Bo Nix is something they are dealing with. The Broncos were on a three-game winning streak going into Week 6 and failed to keep that one alive after a 23-16 home loss to the Los Angeles Chargers. Nix finished with 216 passing yards, more than he did in the previous two Broncos wins. He went 19 of 33, with two touchdowns and two interceptions.
The Saints are just bad
The New Orleans Saints have the longest active losing streak in the NFC. Last week’s 51-27 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers was their fourth straight, and now the Saints are third in the NFC South with a 2-4 record. Rookie quarterback Spencer Rattler made his first NFL start, stepping in for injured Derek Carr. He finished 22 of 40 for 243 yards and two interceptions.
Betting Trends
The Saints are 1-4 SU in their last 5 games overall, 0-5 SU in their last 5 games played on Thursday and 4-1 SU in their last 5 games as favorites. They are 4-9 ATS in their last 13 home games and 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games in October. New Orleans has played over the total point line in 5 of their last 7 games overall and 4 of their last 5 games in Week 7, while have stayed under in 4 of their last 5 games against Denver and 8 of their last 10 games against teams from the AFC. The Broncos are 5-1 SU in their last 6 games against the Saints, and 6-14 SU in their last 20 road games. They are 4-2 ATS in their last 6 gams overall, 4-2 ATS in their last 6 games against the Saints and 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games in Week 7. Denver has played over the total point line in 6 of their last 9 games against teams from the NFC.
Prediction and Conclusion
For Broncos head coach Sean Payton, who is returning to New Orleans, where he spent 15 years as the head coach of the Saints, this game will be emotional. The Saints will have to give it their all once the game begins, but it will undoubtedly be a warm welcome. They are now fighting for their lives every night after losing their last five games. The Saints will start Spencer Rattler for the second straight game because Derek Carr is still sidelined due to an injury. There are other players playing for New Orleans besides Carr. Additionally, they will be without center Lucas Patrick, tight end Taysom Hill, right guard Cesar Ruiz, and their best wide receiver Chris Olave. Although it is their decision, the Broncos will also start a rookie quarterback. Payton, the head coach, trusted Bo Nixon despite his many ups and downs this season. Though they are unquestionably the favorites in this game, the Broncos are not the best pick. Out of the six games played so far this season, the Saints have scored more than 50 points in four of them. The total point line for this game is only 36.5, which should be easily exceeded perhaps even in the first half of the game.
