CNN
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The Denver Broncos gave head coach Sean Payton the perfect gift in his first return to New Orleans, claiming an emphatic 33-10 victory on Thursday Night Football.

Payton is a legend in the Big Easy. He coached the Saints for 15 seasons, leading them to the playoffs nine times and a Super Bowl title in 2010.

When he left the Saints in 2021 after coaching the most games ever for the team, Payton had a 152-89 record and held the franchise records for highest winning percentage (63%) and most wins in team history.

But none of that stood in his team’s way as he entered the Superdome with the Broncos and left with a comfortable victory on what he called an “emotional” night.

“It meant a lot,” Payton said of getting the game ball after the win. “Luckily, and I say this with respect, it was only two days of preparation and we are here. So not much sleep. It kind of takes your mind off things because there are so many things you have to do.

“My biggest concern was that I didn’t get enough rest so I slept for a while today and then came here early to go over the game plan again. But it meant a lot because there were a lot of moments here and you get a chance to see old players here.

The Broncos were rarely bothered by the Saints – who were playing with rookie quarterback Spencer Rattler when starter Derek Carr was out with an injury – building a 30-point lead midway through the fourth quarter.

While Denver’s new quarterback Bo Nix struggled throughout the game, he made key throws at the right times and was mobile with his legs, rushing 10 times for 75 yards.

Nix was also helped by an effective running game and an excellent kicking performance.
Running back Javonte Williams rushed 14 times for 88 yards and two touchdowns, while kicker Wil Lutz — also a former Saints player — didn’t miss a single kick and hit all four of his field goals and all three of his extra points.

New Orleans got its only touchdown of the game with just over a minute left in a lackluster performance. That score came after Rattler left the game with an injury, with sophomore QB Jake Haener throwing a 12-yard pass to Cedrick Wilson Jr.

The large margin of error wrote an unwanted history for New Orleans; It was the first time the team lost back-to-back home games by 20 or more points since 2001, according to NFL Research.

It was a disappointing result on what should have been a special night for the Saints.

At halftime, Drew Brees, Payton’s old quarterback at New Orleans, was inducted into the team’s Hall of Fame. Payton said afterward that it was “good to see Brees” after so many years together.