THURSDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL: Sean Payton, Broncos beat New Orleans 33-10

Sean Payton returned to New Orleans, where he coached from 2006-21, and left with a blowout win. By the fourth quarter, the Caesars Superdome had emptied and the Saints fans who remained were cheering for the home team.

With rookies all over the field, it had the feel of a preseason game.

Payton and the Broncos didn't mess around, though, with the Saints smelling blood in the water with so many injuries. The Broncos never let off the gas, rolling over the Saints 33-10.

The Saints have been outscored 60-10 over the last six quarters.

They began Thursday night's game without quarterback Derek Carr, center Eric McCoy, tight ends Tysom Hill and receivers Chris Olav and Rasheed Shaheed, among others, and without guard Nick Saldivari (shoulder) and cornerbacks Paulson Adebo (knee) and Marson Lattimore (knee). It ended. hamstring).

The Broncos added insult to injury.

They outgained the Saints 389 to 271 as Denver rushed for 225 yards. Rookie Bo Nix went 16-of-26 for 164 yards and ran for 64 yards on 10 carries. Javonte Williams had 14 carries for 88 yards and two touchdowns and caught three passes for 23 yards. Courtland Sutton had no goals.

Broncos linebacker Cody Burton scored on a 52-yard return by Spencer Rattler, and Nick Bonitto had one of six Rattler sacks, becoming the first Denver player since Von Miller in 2018 to post a five-game sack streak.

The Rattlers lost two fumbles while completing 25 of 35 passes for 172 yards before Jack Henner replaced him in the fourth quarter. Rattler also ran for 34 yards on five carries. Henner went 3-for-4 for 38 yards, throwing a 12-yard touchdown pass to Cedric Wilson with 1:22 left.

Alvin Kamara had just 24 yards on 13 touches.

The Broncos improved to 4-3, while the Saints fell to 2-5 with their fifth straight loss.