The Denver Broncos have improved to 4-3 following a decisive win over the New Orleans Saints on Thursday night. The Broncos have still lost just one time in their history in New Orleans and that was all the way back in 1988.
The Saints came into this game with numerous injuries and were without several of their top playmakers. But the Broncos played them like a team that wasn’t on their level and never really let their foot off the gas. This is the kind of win the team should be able to use to create momentum going into a key stretch of the schedule.
Looking back at what transpired in this one, here were the big winners for the Broncos, along with a couple of players who didn’t look so hot.
Denver Broncos Week 7 winners and losers
Winner: Bo Nix, QB
Once again, the statline is not crazy for Bo Nix. But he is settling into his role nicely and growth is evident, even if it’s just baby steps. You would like to see him set his feet more often when he makes some throws, as he misses some easy targets, but the hope is that will come in time.
He passed for 164 yards on the night but again created plays with his legs, picking up 75 yards on the ground. With the win, he tied John Elway and Drew Lock for the most wins by a rookie QB in team history. He has 10 games to break that mark.
Winner: Running game
The running game was among the team’s losers last week, but against the Saints, it was a big reason for the victory. In total, the Broncos amassed 227 yards on the ground. Led by Javonte Williams who rushed for 88 yards and scored two touchdowns, the Broncos called 23 run plays to running backs, showing a commitment to the running game.
If the Broncos run the ball like this to pair with the defense they have, they will be a tough out for anyone.
Winner: Troy Franklin, WR
Again, the numbers are not high (5 receptions, 50 yards) but seeing Troy Franklin become a focal point of the passing game is quite refreshing when looking back at where he stood this summer. He looks more confident in his game and more relaxed in the offense.
Winner: Nik Bonitto, Edge
Nik Bonitto got a sack for a fifth game in a row. No Broncos player has done that since Von Miller in 2018.
Nik Bonitto is the first Bronco to have a five-game sack streak since Von Miller in 2018.
— Zac Stevens (@ZacStevensDNVR) October 18, 2024
Winner: Cody Barton, LB
Cody Barton was all over the place on defense and had his best game since joining the team this offseason.
After dropping a sure interception that was right in his hands early in the game, he forced a fumble that was recovered by Kwon Alexander and later caught a fumble (it was a fumble, not an interception) that he returned for a touchdown to put an exclamation point on a great team defensive performance.
CODY BARTON PICK SIX!
📺: #TNFonPrime pic.twitter.com/8cvp88LPte
— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) October 18, 2024
Loser: Audric Estime, RB
It’s nice to see the rookie Audric Estime getting mixed into the rushing attack and he averaged nearly six yards per carry in this game. But if there is a concern with him, it’s his ball security. We saw him fumble in the preseason and in Week 1 against the Seattle Seahawks.
He coughed one up in this game and even though it didn’t lead to anything bad for the Broncos, it is something that Estime needs to work on or he won’t be on the field much, if at all.
Loser: Marvin Mims Jr., WR
The Broncos tried to get Marvin Mims involved on offense in this game, which was refreshing. But fans quickly got a glimpse into why his usage has been so low as he dropped a pass that was right in his hands. He did catch two passes. but he just seems largely ineffective at this stage in his career.
The Broncos return home in Week 8 to battle the Carolina Panthers.
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