Thursday Night Football gives us a matchup of two teams coming off losses but also hobbled by injuries to key players. Denver opened as slight one point favorites but the Saints took some early action to turn the odds. By game time, this truly may become a pick’em game making it a toss up on who to side with.
Denver Broncos
The Broncos three game winning streak came to a halt in a 23-16 loss to the Chargers Sunday but the score flattering for Denver has the Broncos scoring all of its points in the final 10 minutes of the game. One of the main concerns going into Week 7 will be the status of Defensive Player of the Year contender, Patrick Surtain. The cornerback left the game against L.A. with a concussion and could miss this game. The defense has been a big reason for a 3-3 record as the unit is #4 in the league allowing just 16 points per game. Rookie QB Bo Nix continues to make some progress as he threw for 216 yards with 2 touchdowns and an interception. He also ran for a career high 61 yards. He faces a Saints side that gave up 51 points last week and surrendered an average of 35 points in the last three weeks.
New Orleans Saints
The Saints defense has struggled immensely allowing 594 total yards to Tampa Bay last week while giving up 51 points. New Orleans is already without David Carr and Taysom Hill and now may be without receiver Chris Olave who suffered a concussion against the Bucs. Spencer Rattler, who was making his first NFL start, threw for 243 yards and a touchdown but the rookie was sacked 5 times and intercepted twice and now steps up in class against this stout Broncos defense. The keys for success will rely on the run game as Alvin Kamara is in the top-5 in league rushing and has 7 total touchdowns. If the Saints win this game, the ground attack must be in top form.
Best Bet: UNDER 37.5
Both teams are starting rookie quarterbacks on a short week which typically isn’t a good sign. Both sides will have similar game plans: run the ball, often. Denver has an elite defense and with Rattler making his second career start, the Saints will likely rely on the run game rather than passing.
Player Prop Best Bets
Alvin Kamara: Over 71.5 Rushing Yards (-110)
Kamara started the season with four straight games rushing for at least 77 yards. But the next two games, 26 and 40 yards respectively. Both of those losses, the Saints fell behind and couldn’t establish the run. Look for them to try to pound the ball early, to continue the clock and keep it in the hands of their best offensive weapon.
Bo Nix: Over 25.5 Rushing Yards (-110)
The Saints gave up 277 rushing yards last week and in three of the last four games they have given up 29, 22, and 25 yards on the ground to quarterbacks. Nix is coming off a season best 61 yards, and should have opportunities to run with the ball.
Game Betting Odds
Broncos -2.5
Saints +2.5
Total: 37
