The New Orleans Saints faced their third and final preseason test on Saturday afternoon with a visit from former head coach Sean Payton and the Denver Broncos, where the black and gold were looking to get a win on the board before all attention turned to the start of the regular season.
First Quarter
A three-and-out from Bo Nix and the Broncos offense got things underway in Caesars Superdome, before Spencer Rattler would lead out the Saints offense as the starting quarterback for the second time this preseason.
A completion to Chris Olave and a run from Kendre Miller would be the only positive plays on the first drive, though Blake Grupe was able to kick one through from 56 yards to get the Saints up and running.
Nix returned to the field for a more impressive second possession, connecting with a variety of receivers en route to the 14-yard line before ex-Saint Wil Lutz kicked through a short field goal to get the Broncos on the board.
Rattler’s ensuing drive was another productive one, linking up a few more times with Chris Olave as the Saints offense had its best opening quarter of any game in this preseason. Grupe would convert again, this time from 49 yards out to restore the Saints’ lead.
A holding penalty started the Broncos’ next drive on the wrong foot, though an unnecessary roughness call against Demario Davis returned the favor and meant a 43-yard pass from Nix to Courtland Sutton would put Denver near the red zone as the first quarter came to an end with the Saints leading 6-3.
Second Quarter
A few plays later, Nix was finding Sutton again, this time in the end zone to score the game’s first touchdown. Lutz’s extra point meant the Broncos would take the largest lead of the game at 10-6.
Rattler returned, finding Rashid Shaheed for 5 yards to set up a 3rd and 1. Running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire thought he’d gained enough for a first down on the next play, before a Broncos challenge overturned the ruling to leave New Orleans with a 4th and short. Rattler then tried and failed to find the necessary yard himself, meaning a turnover on downs.
Sam Ehlinger entered the game at quarterback for the first time as he looked to extend his team’s advantage. His 19-yard run on 4th and 1 moved the Broncos inside the Saints 10-yard line, though they eventually settled for another short field goal from Lutz to push the lead to 13-6.
It was then the Saints‘ turn to make the switch under center, as Tyler Shough entered the game after starting against Jacksonville a week ago.
A steady 40-yard drive from the rookie put the Saints in position for yet another field goal try, which Grupe hit from 48 yards out.
Ehlinger’s next drive was productive once more, highlighted by an exceptional grab from Lucas Krull that moved Denver inside the 5. A false start helped the Saints‘ defense’s cause, though, as they held the Broncos to another field goal.
Wil Lutz kicked through the sixth field goal of the first half with seconds remaining to give the visitors a 16-9 lead at the break.
Third Quarter
The Saints‘ first efforts of the second half went nowhere, with incompletions from Shough forcing a quick punt.
The Broncos would proceed to run seven consecutive run plays to begin their drive, followed by a few completions from Ehlinger to get them down to the Saints’ 26-yard line. Quincy Riley would then make the play of the day for the defense with an interception to get New Orleans’ offense back on the field.
Shough quickly fumbled in the backfield, though, and a recovery by Denver meant another turnover in quick succession.
The Broncos would take advantage of the short field, with a touchdown run from Audric Esteme extending the lead before a failed two-point conversion.
Shough and the offense came back out, looking to make up for a turnover in a similar fashion to the Chargers game a fortnight ago. A 14-yard connection to Kevin Austin Jr was among the plays that moved the chains into the Broncos’ half as the third quarter concluded, the visitors up 22-9.
Fourth Quarter
The possession continued, turning into the longest of the day for New Orleans as Shough put together his best work of the afternoon. Another pair of catches from Austin highlighted a drive that ended up going 77 yards, finished off with an 11-yard touchdown run by Shough to make it a one-possession ball game.
Ehlinger and the Broncos offense looked poised for an instant response with a positive start to their next drive, though such efforts were cut short when the quarterback was sacked on fourth down to get the ball back to the Saints.
Jake Haener entered at quarterback, and despite completing his first pass to Moliki Matavao, the Saints were made to settle for three once more. Nevertheless, the lead was cut to 22-19 with the ball back with the visitors.
The defense would fail to get the stop it desperately needed if the Saints were to turn the game around completely, as Ehlinger drove 74 yards, running the clock all the way down near the two-minute warning and capping it off with a touchdown pass to Kyrese Rowan. Another failed two-point attempt held the lead at 28-19, though it would put Denver out of sight for good.
Haener’s two-minute drill was unsuccessful, managing just one first down before another turnover on downs and an ensuing knee from Ehlinger to see out the clock and secure a Broncos victory.
The Saints conclude preseason with a 0-2-1 record, though attention is now on the games that truly matter. The 2025 NFL regular season kicks off in Caesars Superdome on September 7 with a visit from the Arizona Cardinals.
