Contrary to what most expected when schedules were released for the 2024 season, Thursday’s matchup between the Broncos and Saints is not a game between veteran quarterback Derek Carr and rookie starter Bo Nix.
Rather, the youngster will face off against his fellow draftee Spencer Rattler, who was selected by New Orleans in the fifth round after Nix was taken 12th overall by Denver. A starting quarterback for both Oklahoma and South Carolina during his college career, Rattler replaced Carr after he went down with an oblique injury in Week 5.
Nix was a member of the SEC at Auburn when Rattler was at Oklahoma while the Sooners were still members of the Big 12, and they barely missed each other when the former transferred to Oregon in 2022, the same year the latter got his start in Columbia.
MORE: Week 7 Power Rankings | Week 7 NFL picks | Week 7 NFL picks against the spread
Thursday, they finally get their chance to compete in New Orleans, a matchup that also marks Broncos head coach Sean Payton’s first game against his former team. In 16 seasons with the Saints, Payton took his squad, headed almost his entire tenure by legendary quarterback Drew Brees, to three NFC Championship Games.
That included a Super Bowl victory in 2010 when Brees upset Payton Manning’s Colts 31-17 for the franchise’s first title. Now, Payton leads Manning’s second team after a 2023 trade between the franchises, seeking his second Super Bowl win and Denver’s fourth overall.
Nix & Co. enter the matchup at an even 3-3 through Week 6, favored to beat 2-4 New Orleans in a close game. Here’s everything to know about Broncos vs. Saints, including live scores, updates, and highlights from the NFL “Thursday Night Football” contest.
MORE: Stream Broncos vs. Saints on Amazon Prime
Broncos vs. Saints score
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | F | |
| Broncos | |||||
| Saints |
NFL HQ: Live NFL scores | Updated NFL standings | Full NFL schedule
Broncos vs. Saints results, highlights from Thursday night football
(All times Eastern)
Pregame
7:25 p.m. — Following several weeks of inclement weather due to hurricanes passing through the southeastern United States, tonight’s forecast in New Orleans is surprisingly clear at 65 degrees. Nevertheless, the game will be played indoors at the Superdome.
7:05 p.m. — As a reminder, this is Broncos coach Sean Payton’s first game against his former team. He led the Saints to nine playoff wins and a Super Bowl in 2010 while holding the title of franchise leader in wins and win percentage. He was also named the 2006 NFL coach of the year.
6:45 p.m. — The Broncos announced their inactives for tonight. QB Zach Wilson (emergency), Pat Surtain II (concussion) and OT Alex Palczewski (ankle) were guaranteed to be out, but absent from the list are OLB Baron Browning (foot) and T Mike McGlinchey (knee), both of whom were questionable.
👀 our inactives for #DENvsNO.
📰 » https://t.co/evuHwFaMIz pic.twitter.com/GarGpLY5ze
— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) October 17, 2024
The Saints followed, listing QB Derek Carr (oblique), TE Tayson Hill (rib), DT Khalen Saunders (back) as out despite all of them being doubtful throughout the week. RB Jordan Mims is also out, along with WR Chris Olave (concussion) and LB Pete Werner (hamstring).
Week 7 Inactives:
QB Derek Carr
TE Taysom Hill
WR Chris Olave
LB Pete Werner
RB Jordan Mims
DT Khalen Saunders
C/G Cesar Ruiz#Saints | @LaMachinery https://t.co/E9rcV4wQlJ— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) October 17, 2024
6:30 p.m. — A rookie-on-rookie feature, tonight’s matchup in New Orleans has Bo Nix’s Broncos favored by a field goal on average. Notably, the Saints will induct legendary quarterback Drew Brees into their Hall of Fame at halftime. Every seat at the Superdome will have black towels featuring Brees’ number nine for fans, who were also encouraged to wear black to the game.
Drew Brees goes into Saints Hall of Fame at halftime. These towels are on all the seats. #Broncos v #Saints pic.twitter.com/KLqMSZZz9i
— Troy Renck (@TroyRenck) October 17, 2024
Broncos vs. Saints start time
- Date: Thursday, Oct. 16
- Time: 8:15 p.m. PT
Thursday’s game between the Broncos and Saints is set to kick off at 8:15 p.m. ET (7:15 p.m. local time) from Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans, La.
WEEK 7 FANTASY FOOTBALL RANKINGS:
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/ST | Kickers
What channel is Broncos vs. Saints on today?
The Broncos vs. Saints Week 7 matchup won’t be broadcast nationally in the U.S., with the only viewing options accessible through streaming on Amazon Prime and NFL+.
Canadian viewers can watch live on TSN1 and CTV2 or livestream the game through DAZN NFL.
Broncos schedule 2024
Here’s a look at Denver’s upcoming games after Thursday’s matchup.
| Date | Opponent | Time (ET) |
| Oct. 27 | vs. Panthers | 4:25 p.m. |
| Nov. 3 | at Ravens | 1 p.m. |
| Nov. 10 | at Chiefs | 1 p.m. |
| Nov. 17 | vs. Falcons | 4:05 p.m. |
| Nov. 24 | at Raiders | 4:05 p.m. |
Saints schedule 2024
Here’s a look at New Orleans’ upcoming games after Thursday’s matchup.
| Date | Opponent | Time (ET) |
| Oct. 27 | at Chargers | 4:05 p.m. |
| Nov. 3 | at Panthers | 1 p.m. |
| Nov. 10 | vs. Falcons | 1 p.m. |
| Nov. 17 | vs. Browns | 1 p.m. |
| Nov. 24 | BYE | — |
