Photos from throughout the Broncos' history with the Saints.
Running back Sammy Winder breaks upfield during a September 15, 1985 win (34-23) over the New Orleans Saints at Mile High Stadium.
Running backs Gene Lang and Sammy Winder celebrate during a September 15, 1985 win (34-23) over the New Orleans Saints at Mile High Stadium.
Jimmy Spencer and Eric Brown combine on a tackle against the New Orleans Saints at Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans, LA on December 3, 2000.
Mike Anderson runs for a 13-yard touchdown against the New Orleans Saints at Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans, LA on December 3, 2000.
Mike Anderson celebrates his fourth-quarter touchdown against the Saints against the New Orleans Saints at Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans, LA on December 3, 2000.
Mike Anderson runs for a touchdown against the New Orleans Saints at Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans, LA on December 3, 2000.
Mike Anderson runs for his second touchdown of the day against the Saints against the New Orleans Saints at Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans, LA on December 3, 2000.
Mike Anderson rushes the ball against the New Orleans Saints at Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans, LA on December 3, 2000.
Al Wilson makes a tackle against the New Orleans Saints at Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans, LA on December 3, 2000.
Desmond Clark makes a 44-yard reception against the New Orleans Saints at Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans, LA on December 3, 2000.
Trevor Pryce makes a sack against the New Orleans Saints at Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans, LA on December 3, 2000.
Mike Anderson is congratulated in the locker room after setting a rookie single-game rushing record against the Saints against the New Orleans Saints at Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans, LA on December 3, 2000.
Reuben Droughns rushes for a touchdown on the Broncos' opening play of the game during the NFL game against the New Orleans Saints on November 21, 2004 at Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana.
Jake Plummer rolls out of the pocket during the NFL game against the New Orleans Saints on November 21, 2004 at Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana.
Al Wilson celebrates with his teammates after his interception return for a touchdown during the NFL game against the New Orleans Saints on November 21, 2004 at Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana.
Kyle Johnson gets into the end zone for a touchdown reception during the NFL game against the New Orleans Saints on November 21, 2004 at Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana.
Champ Bailey celebrates his interception during the NFL game against the New Orleans Saints on November 21, 2004 at Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana.
Reggie Hayward intercepts an Aaron Brooks pass attempt during the NFL game against the New Orleans Saints on November 21, 2004 at Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana.
Jay Cutler throws a pass during a Broncos game against the New Orleans Saints on September 21, 2008.
Brandon Marshall makes a tough catch against the New Orleans Saints on September 21, 2008.
Eddie Royal heads upfield on a 22-yard punt return in first-quarter action against the New Orleans Saints on September 21, 2008 at Invesco Field.
Selvin Young picks up seven yards in the first quarter against the New Orleans Saints on September 21, 2008 at Invesco Field.
Brandon Marshall reaches and grabs a 35-yard pass for a touchdown in the first quarter against the New Orleans Saints on September 21, 2008 at Invesco Field.
Nate Webster gestures to the west stands after he scored a touchdown on a fumble recovery in the second quarter against the New Orleans Saints on September 21, 2008 at Invesco Field.
Selvin Young avoids a tackle by Roman Harper during a run against the New Orleans Saints on September 21, 2008 at Invesco Field.
Brandon Marshall hauls in a 33 yard pass as Mike McKenzie tries to defend in the third quarter action against the New Orleans Saints on September 21, 2008 at Invesco Field.
Champ Bailey deflects a pass intended for Reggie Bush against the New Orleans Saints on September 21, 2008 at Invesco Field.
Denver Broncos defensive end Elvis Dumervil (92) tackles New Orleans Saints running back Pierre Thomas (23) during first quarter action against the New Orleans Saints on October 28, 2012 at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. (Photo credit: Gabriel Christus/Denver Broncos)
Denver Broncos wide receiver Demaryius Thomas (88) catches the ball during first quarter action against the New Orleans Saints on October 28, 2012 at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. (Photo credit: Gabriel Christus/Denver Broncos)
Denver Broncos linebacker Wesley Woodyard (52) forces a fumble on New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees (9) during first quarter action against the New Orleans Saints on October 28, 2012 at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. (Photo credit: Gabriel Christus/Denver Broncos)
Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning (18) passes the ball during second quarter action against the New Orleans Saints on October 28, 2012 at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. (Photo credit: Gabriel Christus/Denver Broncos)
Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning (18) prepares for the snap during second quarter action against the New Orleans Saints on October 28, 2012 at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. (Photo credit: Gabriel Christus/Denver Broncos)
Denver Broncos running back Willis McGahee (23) carries the ball during fourth quarter action against the New Orleans Saints on October 28, 2012 at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. (Photo credit: Gabriel Christus/Denver Broncos)
Peyton Manning and Drew Brees talk after the game against the New Orleans Saints on October 28, 2012 at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. (Photo credit: Gabriel Christus/Denver Broncos)
Denver Broncos linebacker Wesley Woodyard (52) shakes hands with New Orleans quarterback Drew Brees (9) after the game against the New Orleans Saints on October 28, 2012 at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. (Photo credit: Gabriel Christus/Denver Broncos)
Denver Broncos linebacker Wesley Woodyard (52) makes an interception during second quarter action against the New Orleans Saints in the NFL game at Sports Authority Field in Denver, CO on October 28, 2012.
Denver Broncos wide receiver Eric Decker (87) catches a 13 yard touchdown pass during second quarter action against the New Orleans Saints in the NFL game at Sports Authority Field in Denver, CO on October 28, 2012.
Denver Broncos defensive tackle Mitch Unrein (96) focuses on the ball as New Orleans Saints Drew Brees (9) fumbles after being sacked by Denver Broncos defensive end Derek Wolfe (95) during first quarter action in the NFL game at Sports Authority Field in Denver,CO October 28, 2012.
Denver Broncos defensive tackle Mitch Unrein (96) spikes the football in the end zone as he celebrates his block and teammate Willis McGahee's 1-yard touchdown run during first-quarter action against the New Orleans Saints in the NFL game at Sports Authority Field in Denver,CO October 28, 2012.
Denver Broncos wide receiver Demaryius Thomas (88) fights for extra yardage on a 23 yard catch-and-run during third quarter action against the New Orleans Saints in the NFL game at Sports Authority Field in Denver,CO October 28, 2012.
Denver Broncos wide receiver Jordan Taylor (87) makes a touchdown reception during first quarter action against the New Orleans Saints in the NFL game at Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans, LA. November 13, 2016.
Denver Broncos wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders (10) on 13 yard third quarter reception against the New Orleans Saints in the NFL game at Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans, LA. November 13, 2016.
Denver Broncos quarterback Trevor Siemian (13) passes to Demaryius Thomas during third quarter action against the New Orleans Saints in the NFL game at Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans, LA. November 13, 2016.
Denver Broncos wide receiver Demaryius Thomas (88) on a third quarter 18 yard reception against the New Orleans Saints in the NFL game at Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans, LA. November 13, 2016.
Denver Broncos safety T.J. Ward (43) celebrates his fumble recovery during fourth quarter action against the New Orleans Saints in the NFL game at Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans, LA. November 13, 2016.
Denver Broncos safety Justin Simmons (31) blocks a New Orleans Saints PAT during fourth quarter action in the NFL game at Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans, LA. November 13, 2016.
Denver Broncos Will Parks (34) returns a blocked New Orleans Saints PAT during fourth quarter action n the NFL game at Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans, LA. November 13, 2016.
Denver Broncos defensive back Darian Stewart (26) celebrates his first of three interceptions in the NFL game against the New Orleans Saints in the NFL game at Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans, LA. November 13, 2016.(Photo:© Eric Lars Bakke/ Denver Broncos)
Denver Broncos wide receiver Demaryius Thomas (88) celebrates his 4th quarter touchdown reception against the New Orleans Saints in the NFL game at Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans, LA. November 13, 2016.(Photo:Tyler Kaufman)
The Broncos' regular-season opener isn't for another few months, but over the next few weeks, DenverBroncos.com will take an early look at each game on the Broncos' 2020 schedule. We don't know how injuries could impact each contest, but we'll present the pressing storylines, matchups, questions and more.
It's never too early to start talking football.
We continue with Denver's Week 12 game against the New Orleans Saints.
Storyline to monitor:
For the first time since he was traded to San Francisco in 2019, wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders will return to Empower Field at Mile High. After signing with the Broncos in 2014 as a free agent, Sanders posted 5,361 receiving yards and 29 touchdowns during his six-plus seasons in Denver. A two-time Pro Bowler, Sanders provided a dynamic element to the Broncos' offense. In Week 12, he'll return with hopes of winding up in the end zone again. This time, though, he'll be paired with quarterback Drew Brees, 2019 Offensive Player of the Year Michael Thomas and running back Alvin Kamara. Sanders, while not the Saints' top option, still bears monitoring. He still possesses the toughness, route-running ability and speed to make an impact. Now No. 17 with the Saints, the former Bronco will pose a challenge for Denver's new-look secondary.
The question mark:
Are the Broncos ready to defend Taysom Hill?
The Saints' all-purpose player is listed as a quarterback, but he lines up all over the field for New Orleans. He can throw the ball, block as a fullback, catch passes and even return kicks. And while Hill has shared his ultimate goal is to be a starting quarterback, he currently is a player that can hurt opponents in a variety of different capacities if they're not aware of where he is on the field. In the Saints' playoff loss to the Vikings last January, Hill posted the 13th game in NFL history where a player rushed and threw for 50 yards and also had 25 yards receiving. He finished the game with four carries for 50 yards, two catches for 25 yards and a touchdown and one completion for 50 yards.
The Broncos must be ready to gang tackle a physical player whose role can change from play to play. More importantly, the Broncos' defense must be sound in its assignments. Against a team as talented as the Saints, Denver cannot afford to give up first downs or scores when New Orleans runs its gadget plays.
Player to watch:
WR Michael Thomas
Let's say the Broncos find a way to slow Sanders and don't give up chunk plays when unconventional QB Taysom Hill is on the field. That's only half the battle. Denver's defense still has to deal with Thomas, who has led the NFL in receptions in each of the last two seasons. Last year, Thomas caught 149 passes for 1,725 yards and set the NFL's single-season reception record. The two-time first-team All-Pro and three-time Pro Bowler has found the end zone 18 times over the past two years and caught 173 passes for first downs over that time frame. The 6-foot-3, 212-pound receiver is strong enough to make catches over the middle, shows excellent body control along the sideline, is a yards-after-catch machine and has tremendous hands. His 80.5 percent catch rate in 2019 led all NFL receivers with at least 50 receptions. It's no stretch to say Thomas will be the best skill player the Broncos see all season.
The last meeting:
The Broncos last played the Saints in 2016, when they traveled to New Orleans and escaped with a 25-23 win to improve to 7-3. Denver led 23-17 with 2:50 to play in a back-and-forth game when Brees led the Saints on a six-play, 75-yard drive to tie the game at 23. It appeared the Saints would take a one-point lead with 1:22 to play, but rookie Justin Simmons changed the game with perhaps the most impressive play of his young career. Simmons timed the snap on the extra point, hurdled the line of scrimmage and blocked the extra-point attempt. Fellow rookie Will Parks scooped up the ball and took off down the left sideline toward the end zone. Parks nearly stepped out of bounds as his white shoe sidled up against the edge of the white sideline. A review of the two-point play, though, did not find conclusive evidence that Parks stepped out, and the Broncos' 25-23 lead stood. After recovering an onside kick, the Broncos kneeled out the clock.
