The Denver Broncos offense has left much to be desired at this point in the 2024 season. Through six weeks, the team ranks 29th in offensive yards per contest with 278.2 and 25th in points per outing with an average of 18.7. In half of their games, they’ve headed into halftime with a goose egg on the scoreboard.
“They’re one of the slowest starting offenses I’ve ever seen,” coach Jon Gruden said of the team’s offense.
The Pittsburgh Steelers, New York Jets and Los Angeles Chargers are the three teams to hold Denver scoreless through the first half. Three good defenses indeed.
However, as good as these defenses are, the Denver Broncos are the only team to score zero points in the first half of a ballgame against each of them this season – aside from the Carolina Panthers in Week 2 under Bryce Young against the Chargers.
The Miami Dolphins and New England Patriots tie for last league-wide in points per contest with 12.0 and 13.8 respectively. Combined, the two clubs haven’t gone one single game without putting up points in the first half.
In the words of Gruden, it’s, “troubling.. irritating.”
Denver will go up against the high-scoring New Orleans Saints tonight who average 27.8 points on a weekly basis, although they’ll be without Chris Olave and Rashid Shaheed while Derek Carr’s status is doubtful.
Sean Payton must find ways to get his team on the scoreboard through the first two quarters both tonight and for the rest of the season.
Denver Broncos outlook vs New Orleans Saints
Both the Broncos and Saints head into Week 7 missing key players. For New Orleans, Shaheed, Olave, and interior offensive lineman Cesar Ruiz have been ruled out. On Denver’s side, Patrick Surtain II and right tackle Alex Palczewski won’t be suiting up.
It’s unlikely Carr takes the field for the Saints as well.
In the event Carr doesn’t play, rookie Spencer Rattler will take his place. Rattler threw for 243 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions in Week 6, adding another 27 yards on the ground.
Bub Means, who comes into this game as the Saints’ top wideout, was Rattler’s favorite weapon last week. Even with Olave and Shaheed available, no player on the Saints was targeted more than Means in Week 6 (8). The rookie-to-rookie connection resulted in 45 yards and a score.
Means will be the Broncos top threat in the passing game, a situation made worse by Surtain II’s absence. Alvin Kamara is higher on the priority list, though, coming into the week with the seventh-most rushing yards (428) and 238 yards receiving.
Kamara has totaled seven touchdowns on the season.
*Top Photo: Tyler Schank/ Getty Images