Broncos vs. Saints NFL Week 7 predictions and best bets: Can Denver shine on Thursday Night Football?

The Denver Broncos visit the New Orleans Saints for Thursday Night Football this week. That means Broncos head coach Sean Payton returns to Louisiana for the first time since leaving the Saints in 2021.

Payton and the Broncos will face a Saints team in dire straits after starting the season playing so well on offense that it may have been mistaken for a Payton-era team. New Orleans (2-4 SU, 3-3 ATS) is missing regular starter Derek Carr (oblique injury) at QB and will turn to rookie Spencer Rattler for a second consecutive week.

The Broncos have their own rookie QB in Bo Nix, who has played well through six games.

Thursday's game should be a barnburner. Check out the odds for the game plus our Broncos vs. Saints NFL Week 7 prediction and best bets.

Broncos vs. Saints predictions and best bets

Broncos -2.5: -115 odds at FanDuel Sportsbook

Spencer Rattler interceptions thrown over 0.5: -130 odds at bet365 Sportsbook

Alvin Kamara rushing + receiving yards under 111.5: -115 odds at BetMGM Sportsbook

Nobody questions how good the Saints can be at full strength. The Panthers and Cowboys found out the hard way in the first two weeks of the season.

More than one month later, however, the Saints are a shell of what they were then. The Broncos' strong defense should limit the depleted New Orleans offense.

Among the offensive players who will miss this game are QB Derek Carr, WR Chris Olave and WR Rashid Shaheed. TE Taysom Hill is doubtful.

Rattler looked good for a small portion of last week's game against Tampa Bay, but he was below average for most of it.

Denver's offense will not light the world on fire, but its defense has been great. The Broncos have allowed the fourth-lowest EPA (Extra Points Added) per play and third-fewest yards per play.

Rattler threw two interceptions and was sacked five times last week against Tampa Bay. More of the same could follow against Denver.

RB Alvin Kamara always has been a great weapon, but even the best players need help around them to perform at a high level. That's not the case for Kamara on Thursday Night Football, so why would we expect him to produce at his usual rate?

Kamara gained at least 110 rushing + receiving yards in the first four games, but his production has fallen off in the last two weeks to 66 and 64 yards. This week he'll be an even bigger focus than usual for the defense because the Saints lack their top two receivers and QB.

Broncos vs. Saints moneyline odds analysis Why Denver could win as the favoriteBest odds: -145 at BetMGM Sportsbook

While the Broncos' defense should be in a good spot to contain New Orleans' offense, the Broncos' offense could be a sneaky good play, too.

New Orleans gave up 51 points to Tampa Bay last week en route to its fourth consecutive loss. What if the Saints are in a downward spiral with the thought of their once-promising season turning into a dud?

If Denver can succeed on offense early Thursday, it could be enough to put doubt into the Saints players' minds.

Nix is growing, and his dual-threat ability has provided a big boost for an offense that doesn't have elite playmakers around him.

Why New Orleans could win as the underdogBest odds: +128 at FanDuel Sportsbook

Although the Saints' defense was terrible last week, it hasn't been all season. In fact, one could argue that the poor performance came because the opponent was a fellow NFC South foe who knows the Saints well.

The good news for New Orleans is that Tampa QB Baker Mayfield is much better than Nix. The Saints won't face an all-out attack on the secondary on TNF.

Rattler must protect the ball because Denver's defense is strong at limiting opponents' scoring drives. He can throw the ball downfield, so he won't be afraid to take some shots that will be necessary for New Orleans to win this one.