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In Week 7, the NFL features an exciting matchup: the New Orleans Saints in the Caesars Superdome on Thursday, October 17, 2024. With both teams eyeing better positioning, this prime-time face-off is bound to please both the audience and bettors.
With the game on tap, NFL odds aren’t to be ignored. The Saints come into this one as the favorites, with ESPN Analytics providing a 67.5% chance of winning versus the Broncos at 32.2%. An interesting set of circumstances presents itself for betting, considering the fact that these odds take into account the performance of each team over recent games, as well as past matchups between the two franchises.
Game Information and Weather
Kickoff: it will be 7:15 PM local time, and Prime Video has the broadcast. The weather in New Orleans will be nice, with a temperature of 78 degrees and partly cloudy. That should afford both teams to easily execute their respective game plans without any limitations from the environment.
Team Comparison and Stats
Offense
The Broncos offense is ranked 28th in the league, and the Saints are 16th. Of course, the disparity between offenses is apparent in the ground game specifically. Denver comes in at 19th, and New Orleans ranked 7th. In terms of passing, Denver ranked 28th, while New Orleans ranked 20th.
Defense
On defense, the Broncos lead by ranking 4th overall to the Saint’s ranking of 24. This may very well be one of the decisive strengths in the outcome of the game.
| Statistic | Saints | Broncos |
|---|---|---|
| Record | 2-3 | 3-2 |
| Offense Rank | 16th | 28th |
| Defense Rank | 24th | 4th |
| Passing Yards Leader | D. Carr (989) | B. Nix (866) |
| Rushing Yards Leader | A. Kamara (388) | J. Williams (190) |
| Win Probability | 67.5% | 32.2% |
| Last Meeting | Won 31-3 (2020) | Lost 3-31 (2020) |
Key Players to Watch
Denver Broncos
- Passing: B. Nix leads with 866 yards, 3 TDs and 4 INTs
- Rushing: J. Williams tops the chart with 190 yards
- Receiving: C. Sutton stands out with 224 yards and 1 TD
New Orleans Saints
- Passing: D. Carr- 989 yards, 8 TDs, 4 INTs
- Rushing: A. Kamara- 388 yards, 5 TDs
- Receiving: R. Shaheed- 338 yards, 3 TDs
Recent Performance and Last Meeting
The Broncos head into this game 3-2, while the Saints are 2-3. In their last meeting on November 29, 2020, though, New Orleans came away with a convincing win, 31-3. That adds a bit of history to today’s matchup.
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Injury Report
Several key players are listed as questionable or on IR for both teams:
Denver Broncos
- Alex Palczewski (OT): Questionable
- Tyler Badie (RB), Alex Singleton (LB), Baron Browning (LB), Mike McGlinchey (OT): IR
New Orleans Saints
- Derek Carr (QB), Payton Turner (DE), Cesar Ruiz (C), Taysom Hill (TE), Willie Gay (LB): All Questionable
These injuries might make a huge difference in how teams scheme and perform.
Betting Considerations
- Point Spread: The Saints will most likely be favored by a few points since they have the home-field advantage and a greater win percentage.
- Over/Under: With the elite Broncos defense and high-powered Saints offense, the total line of points could be intriguing.
- Player Props:
- D. Carr passing yards (over 989 in 5 games)
- A. Kamara rushing+receiving yards (over 388 rushing in 5 games)
- B. Nix passing TDs (over 3 in 5 games)
- First Touchdown Scorer: A. Kamara, with 5 this season, could be the popular choice.
Prediction
While the Broncos have indeed performed way better this season, the Saints will have a home-field advantage and a very high-powered offense. How effective the Saints can run it on Denver’s 19-ranked rush defense can be the determining factor.
However, the Denver overall defense is ranked 4th in the league. They can make the game more competitive than what the line would suggest, especially if they are able to put pressure on D. Carr and minimize A. Kamara.
But all things considered, the projected result would be a close game but a win by the Saints. With that said, don’t be surprised to see the Broncos hang in there for most of the night.
Keep in mind that while betting can add to the fun of the game, always gamble responsibly and within your means. Enjoy what promises to be an entertaining Thursday Night Football matchup!