If you missed tonight’s game, consider it a blessing. Tonight’s highly anticipated match-up of high flying offenses, led by future hall of fame quarterbacks, was a lopsided blowout. Unfortunately, the hometown Saints were on the wrong side. The Denver Broncos took down our New Orleans Saints 34-14 in a game in which Peyton Manning shined and Drew Brees struggled. The Saints dropped to 2-5 overall (1-1 NFC South), while the Broncos improved to 4-3 overall (2-0 AFC West).
Tonight’s loss might be the ugliest for New Orleans during the Drew Brees era. After fighting hard to win their last two games and keep from crippling their playoff hopes early in the season, the Saints came out unprepared and played one of the flattest, heartless games in recent memory. From top to bottom, just about every player seemed to go through the motions and give nothing near 100% effort. Even the commonly sharp Drew Brees seemed to have his mind on anything, but football. From the opening whistle, he never seemed to have that usual look of focus in his eye. It was just one of those nights.
Things started with two and outs by each team to begin the game. The Saints punted for their second straight possession to open, pinning the Broncos at their own 2 yard line. Manning took them 98 yards in 4:39, finishing things off with a 1 yard touchdown by Willis McGahee.
Late in the 1st quarter, the Saints capitalized on a Broncos fumble to set up good field position. Brees took them 55 yards in four plays to tie the game on a 29 yard touchdown pass to Darren Sproles. The touchdown pass from Brees extended his streak to 50 games and was also his 300th TD pass of his career. The 7-7 tie was the closest the Saints would get for the rest of the night.
Denver would score unanswered on five more drives throughout the game, starting with a 13 yard Eric Decker touchdown reception, followed by a 33 yard field goal as time expired in the 1st half. The only score of the 3rd quarter came courtesy of a 1 yard touchdown pitch and catch from Manning to Demaryius Thomas.
In the 4th quarter, Manning hit Decker for their second touchdown of the night, coming form 2 yards out. Matt Prater would then close out the scoring for Denver with another 33 yard field goal by Matt Prater.
Down 34-7, Drew Brees led the Saints down field for their only other score of the night to help make the game look a smidgen more respectable. Brees hooked up with Jimmy Graham for an 18 yard touchdown with 2:03 to go. As if New Orleans had any chance left at that time, their onside kick attempt came up short and that just about wrapped it up.
New Orleans Passing: Drew Brees finished 22/42 for 213 yards with 2 TDs and 1 INT.
New Orleans Rushing: Pierre Thomas had 8 carries for 43 yards, Mark Ingram had 3 carries for 7 yards, and Darren Sproles had 4 carries for -1 yard.
New Orleans Receiving: Sproles had 7 catches for 56 yards and 1 TD, Jimmy Graham had 5 catches for 63 yards and 1 TD, and Marques Colston had 5 catches for 63 yards.
Denver Passing: Peyton Manning finished 22/30 305 yards with 3 TDs and 0 INTs.
Denver Rushing: Willis McGahee had 23 carries for 122 yards and 1 TD and Ronnie Hillman had 14 carries for 86 yards.
Denver Receiving: Demaryius Thomas had 7 catches for 137 yards and 1 TD, Eric Decker had 4 catches for 43 yards and 2 TDs, and McGahee added 2 catches for 33 yards.
The loss for the Saints puts them on the brink of realistic playoff contention. The way things are shaping up, 9-7 might not cut it this year. 10-6 seems like it could be the benchmark to grab a wildcard spot, which means the Saints would need to go 8-1 to finish the year. Not as if that task could ever be anything but very challenging, New Orleans still has numerous challenging games against the undefeated Falcons (twice), home against San Francisco, @ New York Giants, and @ Dallas Cowboys.
The fat lady hasn’t started singing quite yet, but she is certainly warming up the vocals. Until the Saints are mathematically eliminated from playoff contention, we’ll keep the faith here at Saints 247, as should you. Keep the faith Who Dats, anything is possible.
