If there was any doubt about the firepower and iron will of the New Orleans squad this preseason, it was utterly obliterated in their 45-3 dismantling of Denver on their home turf. Head Coach Wallace Cole’s Saints did not come to play coy; they came to annihilate — and annihilate they did, turning every inch on the field into a statement of dominance. From the opening drive, it was clear Denver had no answer for this merciless assault.

The Broncos elected to receive but quickly found themselves gasping for air as New Orleans’ defense held firm, forcing a turnover on downs in the first quarter near their own goal line. This set the tone. Joseph Hall ripped through Denver’s frail line scoring the game’s first touchdown, a relentless 11-yard dash into the end zone that put the Saints up 7-0 with less than a minute left in the opening quarter. That was barely a warm-up.

Quarterback Zachary Himes orchestrated a masterclass in precision and power, carving through Denver’s secondary to amass 266 yards and two touchdown aerial strikes to Garrett Walker and Curtis Miles. The latter even showcased his versatility with a rushing touchdown, an emphatic reminder that New Orleans’ offense is shapeshifting and unpredictable. Hall and Larry Rozier turned the ground game into a ruthless battering ram, combining for 232 yards and two explosive rushing touchdowns, including Rozier’s dazzling 101-yard sprint straight out of a nightmare for Denver’s defense.

But it wasn’t just offense — the Saints’ defense throttled any American Dream Denver thought they could hang on. Denver mustered a paltry 12 rushing yards and failed to find the end zone at all, punished repeatedly by relentless pressure and ball hawking. Chris Crane led the charge with a forced fumble that turned the ball directly into New Orleans’ hands, setting up another scoring opportunity. Michael Redding capitalized on a Denver fumble to romp 28 yards for a touchdown that effectively sealed Denver’s fate.

Denver’s offense looked disoriented and powerless, neither adjusting nor responding. Their quarterback Thomas Alvarado threw for only 129 yards with a telling interception, their running game ground to a halt, and their special teams were no relief, consistently giving the Saints prime field position after punts. The Broncos converted zero third downs — a gut-wrenching showing for any team, especially on their home turf.

Special teams spotlight: Larry Rozier’s 101-yard kickoff return touchdown was a dagger into Denver’s already crushed spirit, immediately followed by Thomas Hernandez’s perfect kicking performance, nailing every extra point and a field goal to push the advantage beyond reach. Hernandez’s leg was as reliable as a Swiss watch in setting the final score at a humiliating 45-3.

Wallace Cole has sent a stark warning to the league: this New Orleans team is not here to temper expectations but obliterate them. This game was not a preseason lull; it was a statement, a downright declaration of intent. The Saints' balance of high-octane offense and suffocating defense stands as a beacon to the rest — this squad is built to dominate. Denver was the sacrificial lamb in this offering, and the message was loud, clear, and unapologetically brutal. If you blink, you’ll miss the rise of this powerhouse team.

New Orleans Post columnist Derek Commodore