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The Denver Broncos ended the first quarter with the lead, which has not happened all year long. The New Orleans Saints started the second quarter at their own 39-yard line. Drew Brees threw over the middle against Bradley Roby who tipped it up in the air into the waiting arms of Darian Stewart for the second interception of the day.
Trevor Siemian hesitated and threw deep to Demaryius Thomas that was overthrown, but it looked like Thomas had his arm held on the play. Bill Vinovich’s crew decided not to call it.
A short run, setup a third and long for Siemian who escaped all sorts of pressure to complete a pass to Emmanuel Sanders short of the sticks. Brandon McManus kicked a 50-yard field goal to extend the Broncos lead.
Broncos 10, Saints 0.
The Saints smartly go back to their run game on their next drive. Three runs for 10 yards was just enough to keep the sticks moving. The Broncos defense come together on the next series as the No Fly Zone clamped down on Brees’ options to force another Saints punt.
An incompletion and a short run, setup another third and long for the Broncos. Siemian nearly overthrew Thomas that may have been picked had Thomas not made another incredible one-handed grab for a 17 yard gain.
Siemian threw a perfect strike to Emmanuel Sanders just short of the first down marker, which Sanders ran his way to the first down marker. Thomas continues his beastly effort in this game with another amazing catch that he turned and dragged the defender past the first down marker.
No. 88 showed up today too. @DemaryiusT with another nice catch. 8 catches for #Broncos receivers today.
— MileHighReport (@MileHighReport) November 13, 2016
The Broncos had a nice driving going, but for the second time in this game the Saints gangbusted the offensive line on a busted screen pass that set the Broncos back. On third down and 9 near midfield, Siemian held the ball forever and was sacked.
Saints continue to try and bull over the Broncos in the run game, but on third and one, Von Miller blew up the run play for a big loss to force another punt from the Saints. The Broncos defense have shut the Saints down through one half of play.
#Broncos have held #Saints high powered offense to 100 yards in the 1st half and have forced 2 turnovers. Best half of the season.
— Eric Goodman (@EricGoodman) November 13, 2016
Devontae Booker took two runs for nine and half yards on the Broncos next drive and on third and inches, Siemian tried another quarterback sneak for the first down to bring the first half to the two-minute warning.
A quick pass to Sanders for another first down has the Broncos on the edge of field goal range. Siemian overthrew Sanders deep on the next play, but Sanders was well covered. A short screen to Thomas setup third and nine from the Saints 40-yard line.
Siemian hit Virgil Green right at the sticks for the first down to keep the driving going with less than a minute left in the half. Siemian tried another short slant and the Saints defense was all over it for the interception.
The turnover hurt as the Saints immediately get themselves a 20 yard gain down near field goal range. Michael Thomas makes the next catch just outside the Broncos 20 yard line. A quick screen got the Saints down to the 16 yard line with just 13 seconds left, giving Brees a few shots to the end zone before the end of the half.
His first shot was busted and Brees ran for a short gain, ending the drive in a field goal.
Broncos 10, Saints 3.