The Denver Broncos forced four turnovers and held the No. 2 scoring offense in the NFL to 23 points (a touchdown below their season average), and it still took a blocked extra point returned for two points to win the game.

When it comes to the ineptitude of the Broncos offense, that’s about all you need to know.

Yes, at face value, it may look like Denver’s offense got their legs back under them, but that would be a misreading of the situation.

The Broncos were facing a Saints defense that has been arguably the worst in the league. Heading into the week, they ranked 30th in both points and yards allowed, and last against the pass.

Through eight games, they were allowing 300 yards passing per game and had only forced four interceptions all season; against Trevor Siemian, they had two.

Siemian started the game out fine enough. Actually, on the Broncos’ first drive, he was extremely effective, completing five of six passes for 63 yards and a touchdown.

But it was downhill from there. Siemian and the Broncos would punt on two of their next three drives, and the only reason they finished with a field goal on the third was because Darian Stewart had an interception that set the offense up at the Saints’ 39-yard line — they went three and out, gaining just 7 yards.

It all culminated with a late second-quarter interception that gave New Orleans momentum and sent the Broncos into a tailspin.

The Saints would go on to score 17 unanswered points, putting New Orleans up by seven going into the fourth.

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Even Gary Kubiak was becoming frustrated, as he called a timeout halfway through the third quarter just to give Siemian an earful.

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Apparently, it didn’t ring true, though, as Simian launched a ball right into the hands of Kenny Vaccaro two plays later, and he returned it 30 yards to the Broncos’ 38, setting up the touchdown that put New Orleans up 17-10.

With things turning south quickly, the buzz for a change began to grow louder, and Paxton Lynch‘s name began to hurl itself around Broncos Country.

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To his credit, though, Siemian kept fighting. And it wasn’t easy.

He took a beating all day long. The Saints tore through Denver’s offensive line like a hot knife through butter, and there was little he could do.

On multiple occasions he was knocked to the turf by the type of hit that makes the crowd wince, only to pop back up immediately and run the next play.

Siemian finished with 258 yards passing, two touchdowns and two interceptions on 63 percent completion, but the most important thing for him was that win.

Even if the murmurings for Lynch are growing louder by the day, the Broncos aren’t likely to make a change after a win.

Now, heading into the bye, Siemian will need to rest up, heal his shoulder and hope he can step to the plate down the homestretch of the season. Denver needs him to.