Denver Broncos Final Preseason Takeaways vs. New Orleans Saints

The New Orleans Saints wrapped up their preseason with a 28-19 loss to the Denver Broncos, but the real story wasn’t the score. It was watching players fight for roster spots while others looked like they’d rather be anywhere else.

Bo Nix Finally Finds His Rhythm

Denver’s rookie quarterback Bo Nix started the game looking about as sharp as a butter knife. Two incomplete passes and a delay of game penalty? Not exactly the stuff of legends. But give the kid credit – when things got desperate enough that Sean Payton sent him out for a third drive (clearly not thrilled with what he’d seen), Nix suddenly remembered he was a football player.

That third drive was a thing of beauty. A 43-yard strike to Courtland Sutton followed by a 19-yard touchdown connection showed flashes of why Denver drafted him. Nix finished 4-for-4 for 71 yards and a touchdown on that final series, which probably saved him from some uncomfortable film sessions.

Sutton Steps Up When It Matters

Speaking of Courtland Sutton, the veteran receiver looked like he was playing a different sport than everyone else on those first two Broncos drives. While his teammates were stumbling around, Sutton made the crucial fourth-down grab that kept Denver’s second drive alive, then torched the Saints secondary for those two big plays in the third drive.

It’s almost like having actual talent makes a difference. Who knew?

Saints Quarterback Battle Gets Murkier

On the Saints side, the quarterback competition took some interesting turns. Spencer Rattler got the start and promptly reminded everyone why this is still a competition. Missing Rashid Shaheed on what should have been an easy first down, throwing low to Chris Olave – these weren’t exactly confidence-inspiring moments.

The frustration was written all over Rattler’s face when he got pulled for Tyler Shough in the second quarter. Sometimes body language tells you everything you need to know.

Shough Makes His Case

Tyler Shough, meanwhile, looked like he actually wanted to be there. His 12-for-20, 102-yard performance included the game’s most impressive drive – a 12-play, 77-yard march capped by an 11-yard rushing touchdown that showcased his mobility.

The highlight? A third-and-five escape act where he spun out of trouble and found Devin Neal for nine yards. It was the kind of play that makes coaches forget about completion percentages for a minute.

Broncos Defense Shows Up (Sort Of)

Denver’s first-team defense forced an opening three-and-out against New Orleans, which sounds impressive until you remember they were facing Spencer Rattler. Still, Pat Surtain II reminded everyone why he’s considered elite, making life difficult for Saints receivers.

The Saints defense had its moments too, particularly rookie cornerback Quincy Riley’s interception of a tipped Sam Ehlinger pass in the third quarter. Sometimes it’s better to be lucky than good.

That third drive was a thing of beauty. A 43-yard strike to Courtland Sutton followed by a 19-yard touchdown connection showed flashes of why Denver drafted him. Nix finished 4-for-4 for 71 yards and a touchdown on that final series, which probably saved him from some uncomfortable film sessions.

Sutton Steps Up When It Matters

Speaking of Courtland Sutton, the veteran receiver looked like he was playing a different sport than everyone else on those first two Broncos drives. While his teammates were stumbling around, Sutton made the crucial fourth-down grab that kept Denver’s second drive alive, then torched the Saints secondary for those two big plays in the third drive.

It’s almost like having actual talent makes a difference. Who knew?

Saints Quarterback Battle Gets Murkier

On the Saints side, the quarterback competition took some interesting turns. Spencer Rattler got the start and promptly reminded everyone why this is still a competition. Missing Rashid Shaheed on what should have been an easy first down, throwing low to Chris Olave – these weren’t exactly confidence-inspiring moments.

The frustration was written all over Rattler’s face when he got pulled for Tyler Shough in the second quarter. Sometimes body language tells you everything you need to know.

Shough Makes His Case

Tyler Shough, meanwhile, looked like he actually wanted to be there. His 12-for-20, 102-yard performance included the game’s most impressive drive – a 12-play, 77-yard march capped by an 11-yard rushing touchdown that showcased his mobility.

The highlight? A third-and-five escape act where he spun out of trouble and found Devin Neal for nine yards. It was the kind of play that makes coaches forget about completion percentages for a minute.

Broncos Defense Shows Up (Sort Of)

Denver’s first-team defense forced an opening three-and-out against New Orleans, which sounds impressive until you remember they were facing Spencer Rattler. Still, Pat Surtain II reminded everyone why he’s considered elite, making life difficult for Saints receivers.

The Saints defense had its moments too, particularly rookie cornerback Quincy Riley’s interception of a tipped Sam Ehlinger pass in the third quarter. Sometimes it’s better to be lucky than good.

Special Teams Steal the Show

If there was a clear winner in this game, it might have been Saints kicker Blake Grupe. The guy was absolutely automatic, nailing field goals from 56, 49, and 48 yards like he was kicking extra points. His post-kick celebrations toward the Denver sideline added some much-needed personality to an otherwise forgettable preseason finale.

Tyler Badie also deserves mention for his 46-yard kickoff return that actually gave the Broncos decent field position – a minor miracle considering how their offense had been moving the ball.

With roster cuts looming, both teams got a final look at players fighting for their NFL lives. Some rose to the occasion, others wilted under the pressure. That’s preseason football in a nutshell – part evaluation, part desperation and occasionally, part entertainment.