Introduction: Key ingredients to victory

Rookie receivers Bob Means and Mason
Tipton will play a larger role on offense
when the New Orleans Saints (2-4) face
Denver (3-3) on Thursday at Caesars Superdome.

The urgency of ending the winning streak
takes precedence over the sideshow that is
Denver’s return to New Orleans, the person
who led New Orleans to victory. Success in Super Bowl 44.

The Saints need a win. How to reach your goal:

1st run for the Rattlers
Rookie quarterback Spencer Rattler starts for
New Orleans for the second time in a row.

Rattler performed well in his NFL debut – he
completed 22 of 40 yards for 243 yards, one
touchdown, two interceptions, five sacks and ran
for 27 yards on four carries – but our running game needs
more help. Against Tampa Bay, he had 21 carries for 81 yards and a touchdown.

The return of Tysom Hill and the likely addition of Kendra
Miller will help relieve pressure on Alvin Kamara, who was limited
to 13 carries for 40 yards against the Buccaneers.

Close well
The loss of receiver Chris Olab (concussion) was of great importance in this game. Additionally, the loss of Rashid Shahid (knee) rocked the group, leaving behind two of their best players and the only player who seemed to have made an impact on the Saints. Rookies Bab Means (five catches,

45 yards, one touchdown against Tampa Bay) and Mason Tipton will move to the top of the depth chart, likely with Juwan Johnson and Foster Moreau as pass rushers, with Johnson and Moreau playing on the five lines. Against the Bucks, they combined for 102 yards, making it their most productive day of the season. Their presence is safe for the rookie quarterback. Kamara and Hill could also help revitalize the passing game.

What does Po know?

Radler isn’t the only starting quarterback. Denver’s Bo Nix started all six games for the Broncos and completed 61 percent of his passes for 1,082 yards with five touchdowns and five interceptions. He has thrown just one interception in his last four games, so defenses must create opportunities for a running back to protect the ball.

Don’t beat yourself up
To help the Rattler, New Orleans must become its purest version. In other words, offensive penalties that prevent defense and intervention, demoralizing penalties, must be reduced. The season has already started in New Orleans, so some of these problems are much less visible and widespread.

Feed the beast
While Saints players and coaches are focused on the task at hand rather than the circus surrounding Payton’s return, fans have no such responsibilities or limitations. They’ll be excited to see these Saints add an “L” to Payton’s resume, and they’ll be nervous.

When a band gets going and gets the crowd involved, it has a lot to do with adrenaline. Obviously, this is an important game for a team that has lost its last four games in a row, but it’s also an important game for the fans that Payton revived after Hurricane Katrina.