For A Look At The Game From The Saints Perspective, Visit CanalStreetChronicles!!
The Denver Broncos (2-0) look to begin the year with a 3-0 record for the first time since 2003 when they host the New Orleans Saints (1-1) on Sunday. Kickoff at INVESCO Field at Mile High is set for 2:05 p.m., and
the game will be broadcast by FOX's No. 1 announcing crew of Joe Buck, Troy Aikman and Pam Oliver.
During their 39-38 win against San Diego last week, Denver
became the third team in NFL history to give up the opportunity for a tie and win a game with a successful two-point conversion. Eddie Royal's conversion on a Jay Cutler throw with 24 seconds remaining helped the Broncos begin the season with a 2-0 record in AFC West play for the sixth time in the last seven years.
Wide receiver Brandon Marshall had 18 catches (166 yds., TD)against the Chargers, tying for the second-most receptions in a game in league annals. Dating back to last year, Marshall's 55 receptions in his last five games are the most in NFL history for any five-game period.
The Broncos play a Saints team that lost 29-24 at Washington last week. New Orleans took a 24-15 lead into the fourth quarter following Reggie Bush's 55-yard punt return for a touchdown, but the Redskins scored touchdowns on back-to-back drives late in the game to earn the victory.
Denver is facing the Saints for the first time since it defeated New Orleans 34-13 on the road during the 2004 season. The Saints will make their first visit to Denver since participating in the first-ever game at INVESCO Field at Mile High during the 2001 preseason.
The Broncos lead the NFL in total offense (463.5 ypg.), points per game (40.0), total touchdowns (10) and first downs (58). Cutler has posted the most passing yards (650) in the league through Week 2, becoming just the third Denver quarterback to begin a season with two 300-yard games.
Denver has forced its opponents to start 14 of their 19 drives at or inside the 20-yard line while ranking third in the league in opponent average starting field position (21.5-yard line).
PREVIOUS 5 MEETINGS (Broncos 3-2)
DENVER 34, at NEW ORLEANS 13 (Nov. 21, 2004)
The Broncos take a 20-0 first quarter lead and never looked back en route to a 34-13 victory over the Saints before a crowd of 64,900 at the Louisiana Superdome... Denver RB Reuben Droughns scores on a 51-yard touchdown run on the team's first offensive play of the game... Droughns rushes for 166 yards rushing on 28 carries, marking his fifth 100-yard rushing game in six starts... Broncos WR Ashley Lelie scores on a 37-yard touchdown reception from QB Jake Plummer... The Broncos' defense accounts for a score when pressures Saints QB Aaron Brooks into throwing an interception to LB Al Wilson, who returned the ball seven yards for a touchdown... Plummer completes 19-of-29 passes for 224 yards with two touchdowns and a passer rating of 111.9.
DENVER 38, at NEW ORLEANS 23 (Dec. 3, 2000)
The Broncos knock off New Orleans with a convincing 38-23 win at the Louisiana Superdome... Denver RB Mike Anderson registers the fourth-best rushing total in NFL history with a franchise-record 251 rushing yards that also marked the most by a rookie in NFL history... Anderson also scores four rushing touchdowns, setting a franchise single-game record... Denver carves up one of the league's top defenses for 483 total yards, including 283 on the ground, building a 28-13 halftime margin... The Saints did not run the ball once after halftime and tallied just nine rushing attempts for the game, tying for the fewest by an opponent in Broncos history...
The Broncos played without their starting quarterback
(Brian Griese) and tailback (Terrell Davis)... Denver QB Gus
Frerotte throws for 201 yards and one touchdown on 11-of-16 passing.
NEW ORLEANS 30, at DENVER 28 (Dec. 24, 1994)
Despite a late comeback, the Broncos fall two points short to the Saints, 30-28, at Mile High Stadium... Denver QB John Elway completes 25-of-44 passes for 290 yards and a touchdown, but he was intercepted three times by the Saints... Denver RB Derrick Clark runs for two touchdowns on 15 carries for 55 yards while TE Shannon Sharpe makes five catches for 39 yards and a touchdown.
at NEW ORLEANS 42, DENVER 0 (Nov. 20, 1988)
The Broncos are blanked 42-0 by the Saints in the Superdome in New Orleans as the home team racks up 196 rushing yards and completes 20-of-23 passes for 194 yards... The Broncos also gave up a punt return touchdown to the Saints... Denver totals 52 rushing yards on 15 carries and QB John Elway is pulled late in the fourth quarter after completing 18-of-36 passes for 166 yards with an interception.
at DENVER 34, NEW ORLEANS 23 (Sept. 15, 1985)
The Broncos defeat the Saints 34-23 at Mile High Stadium behind QB John Elway's 353 passing yards and four touchdowns on 28-of-43 attempts... Denver RB Sammy Winder rushes 17 times for 92 yards (5.4 avg.), including a 42-yard run, while four different receivers make a touchdown catch... Broncos WR Butch Johnson leads all receivers with three catches for 94 yards, including a 65-yard touchdown, while Denver WR Clint Sampson, RB Gene Lang and TE Clarence Kay each post touchdown receptions.