Canal Street Chronicles
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.
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.
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...
