It likely will be a matchup of rookie quarterbacks to kick off Week 7 as the Denver Broncos visit the sliding New Orleans Saints.
New Orleans opened as 1-point favourites to win on the NFL odds with a total of 37.5.
NFL Point Spread and Betting Analysis
There are two major story lines for this Week 7 game on Thursday night: An expected matchup between rookie quarterbacks in Denver’s Bo Nix and New Orleans’ Spencer Rattler, and a homecoming of sorts for Broncos head coach Sean Payton. He made Nix the team’s quarterback of the future when Denver chose the former Oregon star at No. 12 overall in this year’s draft, and Nix has started from the get-go in the regular season. He has struggled with accuracy and turnovers but has rushed for three scores.
The Saints have former Pro Bowl QB Derek Carr under long-term contract, but he has been just OK since signing a big free-agent deal ahead of the 2023 season. Carr missed Sunday’s loss to Tampa Bay injured and is not expected back in a short week. Rattler was a former very highly touted recruit who perhaps underachieved in college and was a fifth-round pick out of South Carolina. He made his NFL debut in the loss to the Bucs and should be under centre Thursday.
Payton was certainly the best coach in Saints history as he was there from 2006-2021 and led the franchise to its only Super Bowl title following the 2009 season. Payton took the 2022 season off and then the Broncos “traded” a 2023 first-round pick and a 2024 second-round pick to New Orleans for Payton and a 2024 third-round pick in January 2023.
Denver leads the all-time series 9-3 but was clobbered at home in the most recent one, 31-3, in 2020.
Denver Broncos
Denver had a three-game winning streak snapped Sunday in a 23-16 home loss to the Chargers, who were coming off a bye. The Broncos at least showed some character down 23-0 entering the fourth to make it interesting after Denver was shut out by at least 20 points in the first half at home for the first time in a game since 1978. Rookie QB Bo Nix’s up-and-down season continued as he completed 19 of 33 for 216 yards, two TDs and a pick while leading the team with 61 yards rushing. Nix completed 15 of 19 passes for 189 yards, two touchdowns and a 143.2 passer rating in the fourth quarter near comeback. Cornerback Patrick Surtain II, maybe the best in the NFL, left the loss with a concussion and on a short week, it’s unlikely he will play Thursday. Denver has just six wins in its past 20 road games.
New Orleans Saints
We had one NFL head coach fired last week in the Jets’ Robert Saleh, and the Saints’ Dennis Allen could be next. His team looked stellar the first two weeks but nowhere close to that level during a four-game losing streak. Allen is a defensive-minded coach and that unit allowed 51 points and nearly 600 yards in a 24-point home loss Sunday to Tampa Bay. Saints rookie QB Spencer Rattler had one good quarter in the second as that’s when New Orleans scored all 27 of its points. The Saints became the ninth team in NFL history to score at least 27 points in a single quarter and zero the rest of the game. New Orleans is also the third team in league history to win its first two games by at least 20 points and then drop the next four. Rattler finished 22-for-40 for 243 yards with a TD and two picks Sunday and should start again Thursday with usual starting QB Derek Carr expected to miss at least one more game with an oblique injury. Safety Tyrann Mathieu left Sunday’s loss early with an injury and didn’t return. The Saints are 0-5 in their past five Thursday games.
NFL Prediction: Who Will Win Broncos vs. Saints?
Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
time | fav | line | total |
---|---|---|---|
Opening 13 Oct 11:04pm | - | - | O +36.5 -110 |
Closing 18 Oct 2:54am | - | - | O +29.5 -115 |
- Regular Season
Broncos Team Leaders
Touchdowns |
3 |
Rushing |
387 |
Passing |
1753 |
Receiving |
36 |
Sacks |
6 |
Interceptions |
3 |
Touchdowns |
7 |
Rushing |
660 |
Passing |
1225 |
Receiving |
46 |
Sacks |
4 |
Interceptions |
3 |
- Regular Season
Saints Team Leaders
Touchdowns |
3 |
Rushing |
387 |
Passing |
1753 |
Receiving |
36 |
Sacks |
6 |
Interceptions |
3 |
Touchdowns |
7 |
Rushing |
660 |
Passing |
1225 |
Receiving |
46 |
Sacks |
4 |
Interceptions |
3 |
Weather
temp | 68 |
condition | sunny |
wind | West 7mph |
Injuries
Michael Burton (FB)
Lucas Krull (TE)
P.J. Locke (S)
Mike McGlinchey (OT)
Malcolm Roach (DT)
Ja'Quan McMillian (CB)
Riley Moss (CB)
Justin Strnad (LB)
Pat Surtain II (CB)
John Franklin-Myers (DE)
Justin Herron (OT)
Chris Olave (WR)
John Ridgeway III (DT)
Alvin Kamara (RB)
Tyrann Mathieu (S)
Kool-Aid McKinstry (CB)
Jamaal Williams (RB)
Juwan Johnson (TE)
Marshon Lattimore (CB)
Bub Means (WR)
Injuries
player (position) | status | ats*current | o/u* | notes | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Michael Burton (FB) | Ques Sun | Foot - 30 / 10 / 24 | 1-1 | 2-0 | + - |
Burton is dealing with a foot injury, and it is unclear if he will suit up against the Ravens on Sunday. |
|||||
Lucas Krull (TE) | Ques Sun | Shoulder - 27 / 10 / 24 | 2-1 | 3-0 | + - |
Krull left the game due to an shoulder injury, and it is unknown if he will take the field against the Ravens on Sunday. |
|||||
P.J. Locke (S) | Questionable | Thumb - 24 / 10 / 24 | 2-1 | 3-0 | + - |
Locke is nursing a thumb injury, and it is unknown if he will play against the Chief on Sunday, November 10th. |
|||||
Mike McGlinchey (OT) | Questionable | Knee - 24 / 10 / 24 | 2-1 | 3-0 | + - |
McGlinchey is laid up with a knee injury, and it is undetermined if he will participate against the Chief on Sunday, November 10th. |
|||||
Malcolm Roach (DT) | Ques Sun | Illness - 24 / 10 / 24 | 2-1 | 3-0 | + - |
Roach is ailing from an illness, and it has yet to be established if he will take the field against the Panthers on Sunday. |
|||||
Ja'Quan McMillian (CB) | Ques Thurs | Ankle - 16 / 10 / 24 | 2-2 | 4-0 | + - |
McMillian is managing an ankle injury, and it is unknown if he will take the field against the Saints on Thursday. |
|||||
Riley Moss (CB) | Ques Thurs | Hip - 16 / 10 / 24 | 2-2 | 4-0 | + - |
Moss is bothered by a hip injury, and it has yet to be determined if he will participate against the Saints on Thursday. |
|||||
Justin Strnad (LB) | Ques Thurs | Ribs - 16 / 10 / 24 | 2-2 | 4-0 | + - |
Strnad is battling a ribs injury, and it has yet to be established if he will be in Thursday's lineup versus the Saints. |
|||||
Pat Surtain II (CB) | Ques Sun | Concussion - 14 / 10 / 24 | 2-2 | 4-0 | + - |
Surtain missed the previous game due to a concussion, and it remains to be seen if he will be active against the Panthers on Sunday. |
|||||
John Franklin-Myers (DE) | Ques Sun | Shoulder - 10 / 10 / 24 | 3-2 | 5-0 | + - |
Franklin-Myers is managing a shoulder injury, and it remains to be seen if he will play Sunday against the Chargers. |
player (position) | status | ats*current | o/u* | notes | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Justin Herron (OT) | Out indefinitely | Knee - 05 / 11 / 24 | 0-1 | 1-0 | + - |
Herron has been out of the lineup due to a knee injury, and he will miss an undetermined length of time. |
|||||
Chris Olave (WR) | Questionable | Concussion - 03 / 11 / 24 | 0-2 | 1-1 | + - |
Olave is dealing with a concussion, and it is unclear if he will play against the Falcons on Sunday, November 10th. |
|||||
John Ridgeway III (DT) | Questionable | Oblique - 31 / 10 / 24 | 0-2 | 1-1 | + - |
Ridgeway III is managing an oblique injury, and his status against the Falcons on Sunday, November 10th. |
|||||
Alvin Kamara (RB) | Que Sun | Hand - 30 / 10 / 24 | 0-2 | 1-1 | + - |
Kamara is dealing with a hand injury, and his status against the Panthers on Sunday is unknown. |
|||||
Tyrann Mathieu (S) | Que Sun | Hand - 30 / 10 / 24 | 0-2 | 1-1 | + - |
Mathieu is dealing with a hand injury, and his status against the Panthers on Sunday is unknown. |
|||||
Kool-Aid McKinstry (CB) | Questionable | Hamstring - 30 / 10 / 24 | 0-2 | 1-1 | + - |
McKinstry is dealing with a hamstring injury, and his status against the Falcons on Sunday, November 10th. |
|||||
Jamaal Williams (RB) | Questionable | Groin - 30 / 10 / 24 | 0-2 | 1-1 | + - |
Williams is dealing with a groin injury, and it is unclear if he will play against the Falcons on Sunday, November 10th. |
|||||
Juwan Johnson (TE) | Ques Sun | Head - 27 / 10 / 24 | 0-3 | 2-1 | + - |
Johnson is dealing with a head injury, and it is unclear if he will be available against the Panthers on Sunday. |
|||||
Marshon Lattimore (CB) | Questionable | Hamstring - 27 / 10 / 24 | 0-3 | 2-1 | + - |
Lattimore sat out the previous game due to a hamstring injury, and it unclear if he will be available against the Falcons on Sunday, November 10th. |
|||||
Bub Means (WR) | Out indefinitely | Ankle - 27 / 10 / 24 | 0-3 | 2-1 | + - |
Means has landed on the injured reserve with an ankle injury, and he will miss an extended period. |
-
Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
time fav line total Opening 13 Oct 11:04pm - - O +36.5 -110 Closing 18 Oct 2:54am - - O +29.5 -115 -
- Regular Season
Broncos Team Leaders
Touchdowns 3
Rushing 387
Passing 1753
Receiving 36
Sacks 6
Interceptions 3
Touchdowns 7
Rushing 660
Passing 1225
Receiving 46
Sacks 4
Interceptions 3
-
- Regular Season
Saints Team Leaders
Touchdowns 3
Rushing 387
Passing 1753
Receiving 36
Sacks 6
Interceptions 3
Touchdowns 7
Rushing 660
Passing 1225
Receiving 46
Sacks 4
Interceptions 3
-
Weather
temp 68 condition sunny wind West 7mph -
Injuries
Michael Burton (FB)
Ques Sun Foot - 30 / 10 / 24Lucas Krull (TE)
Ques Sun Shoulder - 27 / 10 / 24P.J. Locke (S)
Questionable Thumb - 24 / 10 / 24Mike McGlinchey (OT)
Questionable Knee - 24 / 10 / 24Malcolm Roach (DT)
Ques Sun Illness - 24 / 10 / 24Ja'Quan McMillian (CB)
Ques Thurs Ankle - 16 / 10 / 24Riley Moss (CB)
Ques Thurs Hip - 16 / 10 / 24Justin Strnad (LB)
Ques Thurs Ribs - 16 / 10 / 24Pat Surtain II (CB)
Ques Sun Concussion - 14 / 10 / 24John Franklin-Myers (DE)
Ques Sun Shoulder - 10 / 10 / 24Justin Herron (OT)
Out indefinitely Knee - 05 / 11 / 24Chris Olave (WR)
Questionable Concussion - 03 / 11 / 24John Ridgeway III (DT)
Questionable Oblique - 31 / 10 / 24Alvin Kamara (RB)
Que Sun Hand - 30 / 10 / 24Tyrann Mathieu (S)
Que Sun Hand - 30 / 10 / 24Kool-Aid McKinstry (CB)
Questionable Hamstring - 30 / 10 / 24Jamaal Williams (RB)
Questionable Groin - 30 / 10 / 24Juwan Johnson (TE)
Ques Sun Head - 27 / 10 / 24Marshon Lattimore (CB)
Questionable Hamstring - 27 / 10 / 24Bub Means (WR)
Out indefinitely Ankle - 27 / 10 / 24Injuries
player (position) status ats*current o/u* notes Michael Burton (FB) Ques Sun Foot - 30 / 10 / 24 1-1 2-0 + - Burton is dealing with a foot injury, and it is unclear if he will suit up against the Ravens on Sunday.
Lucas Krull (TE) Ques Sun Shoulder - 27 / 10 / 24 2-1 3-0 + - Krull left the game due to an shoulder injury, and it is unknown if he will take the field against the Ravens on Sunday.
P.J. Locke (S) Questionable Thumb - 24 / 10 / 24 2-1 3-0 + - Locke is nursing a thumb injury, and it is unknown if he will play against the Chief on Sunday, November 10th.
Mike McGlinchey (OT) Questionable Knee - 24 / 10 / 24 2-1 3-0 + - McGlinchey is laid up with a knee injury, and it is undetermined if he will participate against the Chief on Sunday, November 10th.
Malcolm Roach (DT) Ques Sun Illness - 24 / 10 / 24 2-1 3-0 + - Roach is ailing from an illness, and it has yet to be established if he will take the field against the Panthers on Sunday.
Ja'Quan McMillian (CB) Ques Thurs Ankle - 16 / 10 / 24 2-2 4-0 + - McMillian is managing an ankle injury, and it is unknown if he will take the field against the Saints on Thursday.
Riley Moss (CB) Ques Thurs Hip - 16 / 10 / 24 2-2 4-0 + - Moss is bothered by a hip injury, and it has yet to be determined if he will participate against the Saints on Thursday.
Justin Strnad (LB) Ques Thurs Ribs - 16 / 10 / 24 2-2 4-0 + - Strnad is battling a ribs injury, and it has yet to be established if he will be in Thursday's lineup versus the Saints.
Pat Surtain II (CB) Ques Sun Concussion - 14 / 10 / 24 2-2 4-0 + - Surtain missed the previous game due to a concussion, and it remains to be seen if he will be active against the Panthers on Sunday.
John Franklin-Myers (DE) Ques Sun Shoulder - 10 / 10 / 24 3-2 5-0 + - Franklin-Myers is managing a shoulder injury, and it remains to be seen if he will play Sunday against the Chargers.
player (position) status ats*current o/u* notes Justin Herron (OT) Out indefinitely Knee - 05 / 11 / 24 0-1 1-0 + - Herron has been out of the lineup due to a knee injury, and he will miss an undetermined length of time.
Chris Olave (WR) Questionable Concussion - 03 / 11 / 24 0-2 1-1 + - Olave is dealing with a concussion, and it is unclear if he will play against the Falcons on Sunday, November 10th.
John Ridgeway III (DT) Questionable Oblique - 31 / 10 / 24 0-2 1-1 + - Ridgeway III is managing an oblique injury, and his status against the Falcons on Sunday, November 10th.
Alvin Kamara (RB) Que Sun Hand - 30 / 10 / 24 0-2 1-1 + - Kamara is dealing with a hand injury, and his status against the Panthers on Sunday is unknown.
Tyrann Mathieu (S) Que Sun Hand - 30 / 10 / 24 0-2 1-1 + - Mathieu is dealing with a hand injury, and his status against the Panthers on Sunday is unknown.
Kool-Aid McKinstry (CB) Questionable Hamstring - 30 / 10 / 24 0-2 1-1 + - McKinstry is dealing with a hamstring injury, and his status against the Falcons on Sunday, November 10th.
Jamaal Williams (RB) Questionable Groin - 30 / 10 / 24 0-2 1-1 + - Williams is dealing with a groin injury, and it is unclear if he will play against the Falcons on Sunday, November 10th.
Juwan Johnson (TE) Ques Sun Head - 27 / 10 / 24 0-3 2-1 + - Johnson is dealing with a head injury, and it is unclear if he will be available against the Panthers on Sunday.
Marshon Lattimore (CB) Questionable Hamstring - 27 / 10 / 24 0-3 2-1 + - Lattimore sat out the previous game due to a hamstring injury, and it unclear if he will be available against the Falcons on Sunday, November 10th.
Bub Means (WR) Out indefinitely Ankle - 27 / 10 / 24 0-3 2-1 + - Means has landed on the injured reserve with an ankle injury, and he will miss an extended period.