Broncos vs. Saints: NFL Thursday Night Football Preview (Week 7)
We’ve got an intriguing interconference matchup during Thursday Night Football in Week 7 when the Denver Broncos travel to the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana to take on the New Orleans Saints.
Former Saints head coach Sean Payton, who won a Super Bowl with QB Drew Brees to bring the franchise its first and only Super Bowl win during the 2009-10 NFL season, returns to the Superdome to face his former team. The Broncos have been a nice surprise in 2024, entering 3-3 with No. 12 overall draft pick Bo Nix under center at quarterback. Nix has not had the same eye-popping numbers as other rookie quarterbacks like Jayden Daniels and Caleb Williams, but he’s rounding into form ahead of tonight’s matchup.
The Saints are plagued with injuries in this game, as QB Derek Carr is doubtful with an oblique, while wide receivers Chris Olave and Rashid Shaheed are both ruled out with a concussion and knee injury. Even Taysom Hill isn’t cleared to return with a rib injury, listed as doubtful, while the interior of the Saints’ offensive line is also depleted and injured. Fifth-round rookie QB Spencer Rattler gets his second start for New Orleans in Week 7 after losing 51-27 to Tampa Bay in Week 6.
Here’s my full-game preview, with a prediction to bet, ahead of tonight’s matchup between the Broncos vs. Saints. Follow me on X at Matt_MacKay_ for more NFL free bets and weekly analysis.
NFL Week 7 Thursday Night Football Preview
(Odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook)
Spread: Denver -2.5 (-118) | New Orleans +2.5 (-104)
Moneyline: Denver (-152) | New Orleans (+128)
Total: Over 37.5 (-104) | Under 37.5 (-118)
Denver is the healthier team but they’ll be missing star cornerback Patrick Surtain II in their secondary, which shouldn’t be a huge issue against Rattler in his second career start without his top two wide receivers.
Expect a heavy dose of Saints RB Alvin Kamara to get Rattler settled into a rhythm, while TE Juwan Johnson may play an integral role in the middle of the field for his young quarterback.
Denver’s run defense isn’t bad, allowing 4.0 YPC and four rushing touchdowns, compared to 5.2 YPC allowed by the Saints’ run defense and seven rushing touchdowns. Tampa Bay had their way with the Saints’ defense last week and Denver could put up big-time production on the road yet again.
Let’s not forget the Broncos’ 26-7 rout of the Buccaneers a few weeks ago, leaning on their run game and pass defense to successfully stifle Baker Mayfield and Tampa Bay’s high-octane offense.
Oddsmakers are laying -2.5 with Denver on the road, making the Saints a home underdog once again. The point total is set to 37.5, with juice on the under, so there isn’t much faith that either team will be scoring in bunches with their personnel on the field.
Nix has thrown for over 200 yards in four of six games, including back-to-back games against Las Vegas and the Chargers, which also saw the rookie record two passing touchdowns during both contests. The Broncos fell into a 23-0 deficit but rallied with 16 fourth quarter points, so there’s no quit with Nix in Payton’s offense.
New Orleans’ lack of explosive weapons available on offense, paired with an inexperienced quarterback who doesn’t have his top targets, will make it an uphill battle for the Saints’ offense against a good Broncos defense. Plus, New Orleans has been one of the worst defensive teams in the league the past few weeks, allowing 285 or more passing yards in four of its last five games, including a ridiculous 277 rushing yards to Tampa Bay at home this past Sunday.
Denver is less desperate than New Orleans, who has lost four straight games, but the Broncos are healthier and have better talent on both sides of the line of scrimmage right now. The Saints have lost straight up as underdogs on Thursday night in five consecutive games and we’ve seen Denver go 2-1 SU on the road this season.
We’re through the key number of three at Denver -2.5, so let’s lay the points at -118 odds with the Broncos during Sean Payton’s return to the Superdome on Thursday night.
Prediction: Broncos -2.5 (-118)
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Matthew MacKay is a featured writer for BettingPros and FantasyPros. For more from Matthew, check out his archive and follow him @Matt_MacKay_.