Key matchups: Saints vs. Broncos

The New Orleans Saints will take on the Denver Broncos to close out their preseason on Saturday. Both teams are slated to play starters for at least some time, marking the first sneak peek of New Orleans football in 2025. Saturday’s game is critical to the Saints’ future with a QB1 decision looming.

This is the final chance for head coach Kellen Moore to evaluate his young quarterbacks in a real game situation before the start of the regular season. With such a significant decision ahead, the Saints must ensure they can evaluate each player fairly. Whichever quarterback started each preseason game over the last two weeks has seen plenty of pressure and has been unable to perform. While it is important to evaluate how each quarterback responds to an active pass rush, the offensive line has allowed too much pressure too quickly.

Moore hasn’t confirmed which starters will play, but this may be the first action we see of center Erik McCoy. The Pro Bowl center hasn’t participated in the preseason as he managed his load to be prepared for the regular season. McCoy has been the best offensive lineman for the Saints in recent years, anchoring the interior. With McCoy’s absence in the preseason, right guard Cesar Ruiz has struggled immensely.

Unfortunately for the Saints’ offensive line, they’ll be facing the starting Broncos defense, which led the league in sacks in 2024. Denver hasn’t allowed a team to score over 10 points in the preseason and will be facing a pair of young quarterbacks for New Orleans. With the pivotal decision looming, the Saints’ offensive line has to bring its A-game.

The Saints know a lot about the depth in the Broncos’ wide receiver room. New Orleans traded for second-year breakout wideout Devaughn Vele, who Denver was shopping around after the positive development of younger receivers. Outside of star Courtland Sutton, the Broncos have made it a point to add talent around their young quarterback in the draft, selecting Marvin Mims, Pat Bryant, and Troy Franklin over the last three drafts.

The depth at cornerback for the Saints is thin, and they may struggle to keep up with the Broncos’ young playmakers. Kool-Aid McKinstry is projected to have a breakout year, but has yet to prove anything. Behind him are veteran Isaac Yiadom, rookie Quincy Riley, and second-year Rico Payton. While Riley and Payton have plenty of potential, each young defensive back has had their struggles in the preseason.

Saturday’s matchup will be another indicator of how prepared New Orleans is for the upcoming season. The Saints’ defense has a ton of questions, not just with personnel, but also with scheme. If they struggle against the Broncos, they will likely continue that trend going into the regular season.

Despite his lack of stats, third-year running back Kendre Miller has been one of the biggest standouts during the preseason. Bad offensive line play has allowed defenders to meet Miller in the backfield on plenty of occasions, but the former third-round draft pick has been able to force his way out of what should be negative plays.

Miller is the most talented running back on the roster, not named Alvin Kamara, and I feel confident saying that. Despite the immense amount of talent the third-year running back has, he has failed to remain healthy in his short career. While he has a new chance with a new coaching regime, he has to prove he can make an impact on the field.

Miller should see a strong number of snaps behind the starting offensive line and will almost certainly see better protection behind Erik McCoy. It’s been rumored that New Orleans is shopping around for running backs. Saturday’s matchup behind a healthy starting offensive line is Miller’s chance to prove his talent and take control of the RB2 job.

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