The Denver Broncos improved to 4-3 after a one-sided 33-10 blowout victory over the New Orleans Saints on “Thursday Evening Soccer.”
Listed here are 4 takeaways from the motion:
Broncos leaned on potent speeding assault to breeze previous Saints
The mission for the Broncos in opposition to the Saints was easy: run the soccer. As a crew, Denver rushed for a season-high 225 yards in opposition to a hapless New Orleans protection, which was one of many deciding components of the sport.
Operating again Javonte Williams did just about no matter he wished, ending with 88 yards (14 carries) whereas recording the primary two-rushing TD sport of his profession. In the meantime, QB Bo Nix threw for less than 164 yards (16-of-26) however rushed for a career-high 75 yards (10 carries).
The Broncos had been looking for a run sport all season, averaging 119.5 yards getting into Week 7. They will have one other likelihood to show they’ve discovered it in Week 8, taking up the Carolina Panthers, who rank thirtieth in opposition to the run.
With offense caught in not possible state of affairs, Saints want extra from fledgling protection
Going through a slew of accidents on offense, together with QB Derek Carr and wideouts Chris Olave and Rashid Shaheed, the unit understandably struggled, posting solely 271 yards of complete offense for simply 10 factors. It is arduous to win in case your crew does not rating, however the Saints merely want extra from their protection in the event that they hope to remain above water within the NFC South.
It is the second straight week the Saints have allowed an opponent to hurry over 200 yards, giving up 277 yards to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 6.
Ranked thirty second in opposition to the run coming into Thursday night time’s contest, the expectations weren’t terribly excessive for the Saints, even in opposition to the Broncos. However certainly, they anticipated extra going through a rookie-QB-led offense boasting the league’s Twenty third-ranked speeding assault.
Vance Joseph’s protection in Denver continues to make strides
They weren’t going through a prime QB, however the Broncos protection nonetheless took care of enterprise on Thursday in opposition to a beat-up Saints crew led by Spencer Rattler. In accordance with Professional Soccer Focus, the unit completed with six sacks, two takeaways and a landing, permitting -7 speeding yards earlier than contact.
It is the fifth time during the last six video games that the Broncos have allowed 20 factors or fewer in a sport.
After a Week 8 matchup in opposition to the Panthers, the actual take a look at begins for the protection, with contests forward in opposition to the Baltimore Ravens, Kansas Metropolis Chiefs and Atlanta Falcons.
Dennis Allen could also be on the chopping block sooner somewhat than later
After a 2-0 begin, the Saints’ slide has been alarming. Accidents have performed a big function, however during the last three weeks, a scarcity of effort and a spotlight to element have plagued New Orleans, that are points that fall squarely on the pinnacle coach.
The identical adverse attributes have been displayed in Thursday night time’s loss, whether or not pricey penalties, missed tackles or a dropped interception. It is tough to say a crew has give up on their head coach, however the vibe hasn’t gone unnoticed. Analyst and former Professional Bowl CB Richard Sherman mentioned at halftime on the Amazon Prime Video broadcast that the Saints gamers seemed like they “have been attempting to get their coach fired.”
The accidents the Saints are coping with on offense are what they’re, however the swift decline on the opposite aspect of the ball will be the greatest indictment of the pinnacle coach’s failures, contemplating he makes a speciality of protection.
