The Denver Broncos have to get back on track.
After a 30-20 divisional loss to the rival Oakland Raiders on Sunday night that dropped their record to 6-3, this team needs to rally this week.
It won’t be easy.
Denver heads to the Big Easy to take on the 4-4 New Orleans Saints. But don’t let their .500 record fool you, the Saints are one of the hottest teams in the NFL right now.
After starting the season 0-3, New Orleans has won four of their past five games and are averaging over 35 points per game in those victories.
In fact, the Saints lead the league in passing yards under perennial Pro Bowl quarterback Drew Brees, and we all know that the New Orleans Superdome can be a difficult place to play.
If the Broncos are going to get their season corrected, it needs to start this week.
Here are five players that need to step up their game on Sunday.
But things change quickly in the NFL.
On Sunday night, Raiders quarterback Derek Carr targeted the third-year cornerback, throwing at him repeatedly. For most of the night, Roby drew the assignment of covering Oakland wideout Amari Cooper. Cooper caught six passes for 56 yards, and drew a defensive pass interference that led to a Raiders touchdown.
Things won’t get easier on Sunday, as the Broncos face the dangerous receiving tandem of Brandin Cooks and Michael Thomas.
Roby needs to bounce back this week.
Demaryius Thomas
Through the first nine weeks, he ranks 13th in the NFL in receptions (47) and has nearly 600 yards, and four touchdowns. Again, not horrible, but for a guy getting paid like a top-five wideout in the NFL, Denver needs more.
That isn’t just my, or the fans’, opinion, the Broncos seem to agree.
Over the past for weeks, Thomas has been targeted 10 times per game, as the Broncos offense has desperately been looking for a spark.
They are still looking.
On those 40 attempts, DT has just 21 catches and a single touchdown.
Against a soft Saints defense on Sunday, he should be primed for a breakout game.
Sylvester Williams
It is no secret that the Denver defensive line has gotten noticeably softer this season.
The Orange Crush is now ranked 29th in rushing yards allowed, with over 128 yards per game, and safety T.J. Ward is the leading tackler on the team — when a safety is your leading tackler, you know backs are breaking through to the second level.
And while the Saints offense is primarily geared around their high-powered passing game, the Broncos need to see Sylvester Williams clog some lanes in the middle of the field.
Devontae Booker
After lifting the Broncos running game in Week 7 against the Houston Texans, Booker was tabbed the starter when C.J. Anderson went down with a knee injury.
In two starts, he has 29 carries for just 76 yards.
In 2000 the Denver Broncos went to New Orleans with another rookie running back as their starter. Mike Anderson ran for 251 yards and four touchdowns and the Broncos got a much-needed win.
Booker needs to step up his game against a Saints rush defense that is allowing over 108 yards per game.
Trevor Siemian
Over the past month, Siemian’s quarterback rating is hovering around 45.
The New Orleans Saints pass defense is ranked dead last in the NFL, allowing 300 yards per game.
This could be the perfect chance for him get the passing game and the Bronco offense on track.
If Siemian can attack the Saints pass defense downfield, then the running game may gain a foothold and begin producing as well.
Trevor Siemian could be a major key key to limiting Drew Brees and the high-powered New Orleans offense on Sunday.