Thursday Night Football Preview: Denver Broncos vs. New Orleans Saints
As the 2024 NFL season heats up, Week 7 kicks off with an intriguing matchup between the Denver Broncos and the New Orleans Saints on "Thursday Night Football" at 8:15 PM ET, streaming live on Prime Video. Both teams enter this game with significant challenges, and the stakes are high as they look to turn around their respective seasons.
Current Situations
The New Orleans Saints have faced a tough stretch, marked by a four-game losing streak culminating in a dismal 51-17 defeat against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers last week. This performance raised serious questions about their ability to compete in a tight NFC South division. Meanwhile, the Broncos are seeking to bounce back from a disappointing home loss to the Los Angeles Chargers. Despite the struggles on both sides, the Saints opened as 0.5-point favorites in this matchup, though initial betting trends have recently shifted in favor of Denver, who are now favored by three.
Injuries are a significant concern for the Saints. The team will likely be without star wide receivers Chris Olave and Rashid Shaheed, who have been ruled out due to concussion and knee injuries, respectively. The absence of these key offensive players, along with several others who are questionable, creates a precarious situation for New Orleans.
Performance Metrics
The game’s projected point total of 36.5 points is the lowest of the week, an indication of the struggles both offenses have experienced lately. The Broncos’ defense is holding their ground, ranking fourth in the NFL in points allowed, giving up just 18.7 points per game, while the Saints’ recent offensive performances have left much to be desired. Now, with Spencer Rattler possibly leading the Saints’ offensive unit in light of Derek Carr’s ongoing oblique injury, the chances for a high-scoring game appear slim.
Betting Lines & Props
Current betting lines present the following figures:
- Spread: Broncos -3
- Money Line: Broncos (-150), Saints (+130)
- Over/Under: 36.5
Players to watch from a prop betting perspective include:
-
Passing Yards:
- Bo Nix: 199.5 (Over +105/Under -135)
- Spencer Rattler: 174.5 (Over -140/Under +110)
-
Rushing Yards:
- Alvin Kamara: 69.5 (Over -110/Under -120)
- Javonte Williams: 44.5 (Over -120/Under -110)
- Receiving Yards:
- Courtland Sutton: 44.5 (Over -125/Under -105)
- Kamara: 34.5 (Over -125/Under -105)
This matchup’s implications for player narratives and fantasy scoring add an extra layer of intrigue, especially with key injuries influencing lineups.
Expert Insights
ESPN analysts have weighed in on key predictions for the matchup. Andre Snellings is leaning heavily towards betting under on the Saints’ team total, suggesting they may struggle to reach 17.5 points, primarily due to a lineup filled with uncertainties and a formidable Broncos defense. On the other side, Joe Fortenbaugh notes the importance of the current total, advocating for a bet on the under as historical trends indicate that low totals in Thursday night games tend to favor bettors backing the under.
Betting Trends
Looking at historical betting trends unveils some patterns worth noting:
- Road favorites have performed exceptionally well this season, going a perfect 9-0 against the spread in Week 6.
- The Broncos have demonstrated resilience as underdogs, with a 3-0 record against the spread on the road this season.
- However, both teams have struggled in games on short rest, with the Broncos 0-6 against the spread in their last six under such conditions.
Conclusion
As the Denver Broncos prepare to visit the New Orleans Saints, fans and bettors alike are eager to see which team will manage to reverse its fortunes. With the odds slightly favoring Denver and key injuries plaguing the Saints, this Thursday night fight could be pivotal for both teams as they aim to regain momentum in the 2024 season. Given the current circumstances, expect a defensive battle and possibly one of the lowest-scoring games of the week.
