

Denver Broncos vs New Orleans Saints Match Player Stats: Stunning 33-10 Blowout Analysis [Full Breakdown]
The Denver Broncos vs New Orleans Saints match player stats from October 17, 2024 tell a fascinating story of dominance and struggle.
Let me break down what really happened in this lopsided 33-10 Broncos victory.
The Complete Game Overview: Broncos Control From Start to Finish
I watched this entire game, and honestly, it wasn’t even as close as the final score suggests.
The Broncos established their identity immediately with a punishing ground attack that simply overwhelmed the Saints defense.
According to the official box score, Denver racked up an impressive 225 rushing yards while holding New Orleans to just 97 yards on the ground.
What stood out most was how quarterback Bo Nix managed the game with veteran-like composure despite being a rookie.
Key Offensive Player Stats That Defined The Game
Broncos Rushing Attack: Unstoppable Force
Javonte Williams looked like his pre-injury self:
- 14 carries for 88 yards (6.3 yards per carry)
- 2 rushing touchdowns (both in critical red zone situations)
- 3 receptions for 23 yards
- 111 total all-purpose yards
Bo Nix showed why Denver invested a first-round pick in him:
- 75 rushing yards on 10 carries (7.5 yards per attempt)
- Several crucial third-down conversions with his legs
- Poised pocket presence (0 sacks taken)
The running back rotation was particularly effective with Jaleel McLaughlin (4 carries, 35 yards) and Audric Estime (5 carries, 29 yards) providing quality depth.
Game-Changing Sequence: Williams’ Red Zone Dominance
One sequence perfectly captured Williams’ impact. Early in the second quarter with Denver leading 7-3, the Broncos drove to the Saints’ 8-yard line. Williams took a handoff, patiently waited for his blockers to engage, then accelerated through a narrow gap between the guard and tackle. He broke two tackle attempts and powered into the end zone, showcasing both his vision and strength.
This score put Denver up 14-3 and set the tone for their ground dominance throughout the game.
Historical Context: Broncos-Saints Rivalry Stats
This victory continued Denver’s historical success against New Orleans. The Broncos now lead the all-time series 10-3, having won seven of the last eight meetings dating back to 2000. Interestingly, Denver has averaged 28.4 points in those victories while holding the Saints to just 16.7 points per game.
This performance was reminiscent of their 2016 matchup where Denver similarly dominated defensively, securing a 25-17 victory on the road.
Saints Offensive Struggles: Stats Tell The Story
Saints quarterback Spencer Rattler completed 25 of 35 passes (71.4%) but managed just 172 yards (6.9 yards per completion).
The most telling statistic? Rattler faced relentless pressure, taking 6 sacks according to USA TODAY’s game report.
Alvin Kamara stats reveal Denver’s defensive focus:
- Just 10 yards on 7 rushing attempts (1.4 YPC)
- 6 receptions but only 14 total yards (2.3 yards per catch)
This level of containment against one of the NFL’s premier dual-threat backs speaks volumes about Denver’s defensive game plan.
Defensive Dominance: By The Numbers
The most impressive aspect of this matchup was Denver’s defensive performance.
Cody Barton put together a complete linebacker showcase:
- 8 total tackles (6 solo)
- 1 sack
- 1 forced fumble
- 1 fumble recovery returned for touchdown
- 1 pass defended
According to NFL.com’s game analysis, Denver’s defense generated 14 quick pressures (under 2.5 seconds) on the Saints quarterbacks, tied for the most by any defense in a single game this season.
What makes this more impressive was how Denver distributed their pass rush:
- Ja’Quan McMillian: 1.0 sack, 1 forced fumble
- Jonathan Franklin-Myers: 1.0 sack
- Justin Strnad: 1.0 sack
- Nik Bonitto: 1.0 sack (his fifth consecutive game with a sack)
- Zach Allen: 0.5 sack
- Jonah Elliss: 0.5 sack
Critical Game-Changing Moments
The Barton Defensive Score: Play Breakdown
With 4:18 remaining in the second quarter and the Saints backed up near their own 15-yard line, Barton timed his blitz perfectly. Coming unblocked through the A-gap, he hit Rattler just as the quarterback was starting his throwing motion.
The ball popped free, Barton scooped it up cleanly at the 12-yard line, and rumbled into the end zone untouched. The defensive score pushed Denver’s lead to 21-3 and completely shifted momentum.
Barton’s instincts on this play demonstrated why Denver’s front office targeted him in free agency to solidify their linebacker corps.
Nix’s Third-Down Scrambles
Several times when the Saints seemed to have Denver’s offense bottled up on third down, Bo Nix escaped pressure and converted with his legs.
His mobility consistently extended drives when conventional passing would have resulted in punts.
Saints’ Run Defense Collapse
For the second consecutive week, New Orleans allowed over 200 rushing yards. This defensive vulnerability became increasingly apparent as Denver continued to find success on the ground regardless of which back carried the ball.
This weak run defense mirrors recent struggles the Saints have had against other mobile quarterbacks. For more on how teams exploit this vulnerability, check out our Baltimore Ravens vs Kansas City Chiefs match player stats analysis.
Player Performance Analysis: Who Stood Out and Why
Broncos Receiving Corps: Spreading The Wealth
While no Denver receiver posted gaudy numbers, their distribution shows effective balance:
- Troy Franklin: 5 receptions, 50 yards
- Lucas Krull: 3 receptions, 41 yards (career high)
- Marvin Mims Jr.: 2 receptions, 18 yards
- Devaughn Vele: 1 reception, 20 yards
This balanced passing attack is becoming a hallmark of Denver’s offensive scheme, similar to what we’ve seen in their other matchups this season. For comparison, see our analysis of Denver Broncos vs Seahawks match player stats.
Saints Bright Spots Were Few
Cedrick Wilson Jr. provided the lone offensive touchdown for New Orleans, finishing with 6 receptions for 57 yards.
Mason Tipton showed promise with 6 receptions for 45 yards.
Kendre Miller led Saints rushers with just 36 yards on 6 carries, highlighting their ground game struggles.
NFL Game Plan Execution: Tactical Analysis
Denver’s game plan execution rates among the most complete performances of the 2024 NFL season. Their offensive line consistently won the point of attack, creating rushing lanes while providing clean pockets for Nix.
Defensively, their varied blitz packages confused the Saints’ protection schemes, leading to those 14 quick pressures mentioned earlier. The front seven’s gap discipline when defending the run essentially eliminated Kamara as a threat, forcing New Orleans into a one-dimensional offense.
This level of game planning and execution provides a blueprint for how teams should approach similarly structured opponents in the AFC and NFC playoff races.
What These Stats Tell Us About Both Teams
The Denver Broncos vs New Orleans Saints match player stats reveal deeper truths about both franchises.
For Denver, we’re seeing a team finding its identity around:
- A physically dominant rushing attack
- A rookie quarterback who manages the game effectively
- A defense that generates consistent pressure
- Multiple playmakers rather than relying on one star
For New Orleans, these statistics expose concerning weaknesses:
- Inability to protect the quarterback
- Struggling run defense (200+ yards allowed in consecutive games)
- Limited offensive production despite high completion percentage
- Containing star players like Alvin Kamara
For context on how these teams match up against other NFL powerhouses, our analysis of 49ers vs Kansas City Chiefs match player stats provides valuable comparison points.
FAQs About Denver Broncos vs New Orleans Saints Match Stats
Who led the Broncos in rushing against the Saints?
Javonte Williams led all Broncos rushers with 88 yards on 14 carries, scoring 2 touchdowns. Bo Nix added 75 rushing yards on 10 carries.
How many sacks did the Broncos record in this game?
The Broncos defense recorded 6 total sacks from 7 different players, showing their depth and varied pass rush.
What was Alvin Kamara’s statistical output against Denver?
Alvin Kamara was held to just 10 yards on 7 carries (1.4 yards per carry) and added 6 receptions for only 14 yards, totaling just 24 all-purpose yards.
Which player scored the defensive touchdown in this game?
Cody Barton scored the defensive touchdown after forcing a fumble, recovering it, and returning it for a score.
How did Bo Nix perform in the passing game?
Bo Nix completed 16 of 26 passes (61.5%) for 164 yards with no touchdowns and no interceptions, focusing on game management rather than explosive plays.
What was the Saints’ red zone efficiency?
The Saints went 1 for 2 in the red zone, scoring their only touchdown late in the game when it was already 33-3.
How did this game impact both teams’ season outlooks?
This victory solidified Denver’s emergence as a playoff contender while raising serious questions about New Orleans’ defensive schemes and offensive protection.
The Denver Broncos vs New Orleans Saints match player stats paint a clear picture of a Denver team finding its stride while exposing significant weaknesses in a struggling New Orleans squad.
