Sean Payton won on his return to New Orleans as Javonte Williams rushed for two touchdowns for the Denver Broncos – who beat the Saints 33-10 on Thursday night.
Payton spent 15 years in charge of the Saints, memorably winning Super Bowl XLIV in 2010 after Hurricane Katrina, when the Saints became a morale-boosting, inspirational force in the lives of rebuilding residents.
“That was a unique time,” Payton recalled. “None of us understood what it would mean and how big it would become. Coming back here is different and kind of special.”
.@SeanPayton finding his former players on the field postgame 🧡 @A_kamara6 | @camjordan94 pic.twitter.com/GBGDrzoPhP
— NFL (@NFL) October 18, 2024
Saints quarterback Derek Carr (oblique) missed his second straight game, and top receivers Chris Olave (concussion) and Rashid Shaheed (knee) also joined Taysom Hill (ribs) on the sidelines.
The injuries hit hard as Williams rushed for two touchdowns, Cody Barton returned a fumble 52 yards for a score, and Bo Nix passed for 164 yards and ran for 75 yards for Denver (4-3), who dominated statistically.
The Broncos outgained New Orleans 389 yards to 271 while sending the Saints (2-5) to their fifth straight defeat.
“It was awesome. The Saints mean a lot to him. He was there for a while and had amazing success,” Nix said, alluding to Payton’s franchise-high 152 regular-season victories with the Saints from 2006 to 2021, and his Super Bowl-winning season in 2009. “I’m happy for him.”
— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) October 18, 2024
During halftime, record-setting former Saints quarter back Drew Brees was honoured on the field to mark his induction into the Saints Hall of Fame. Team owner Gayle Benson presented Brees with a blazer, and a portrait of the club’s all-time passer holding the Lombardi Trophy was unveiled.
Brees’ 80,358 career passing yards rank second in NFL history behind only Tom Brady’s 89,214.
For many fans in attendance, the halftime festivities were the highlight of the night. The Superdome was largely empty by the fourth quarter.
