How They Scored

Associated Press photo by Jack DempseyDenver Broncos running back Willis McGahee (23) crosses the goal line for a touchdown against the New Orleans Saints in the first quarter as linebackers Curtis Lofton (50) and Jonathan Vilma (51) defend Sunday night in Denver. Show caption
Associated Press photo by Jack DempseyDenver Broncos running back Willis McGahee (23) crosses the goal line for a touchdown against the New Orleans Saints in the first quarter as linebackers Curtis Lofton (50) and Jonathan Vilma (51) defend Sunday night in Denver.

First quarter

BRONCOS: Willis McGahee 1 run at 4:39 (Matt Prater kick). DRIVE: 11 plays, 98 yards, 4:39. KEY PLAYS: Peyton Manning 41-yard pass to Demaryius Thomas to Saints’ 31. Manning to Jacob Tamme 6-yard pass on third-and-6 to keep drive going. McGahee 14-yard catch to Saints’ 1. BRONCOS 7, SAINTS 0.

Second quarter

SAINTS: Darren Sproles 29 pass from Drew Brees at 14:53 (Garrett Hartley kick). DRIVE: 4-55-1:53. KEY PLAY: Brees 16-yard pass to Marques Colston to Broncos’ 36. SAINTS 7, BRONCOS 7.

BRONCOS: Eric Decker 13 pass from Manning at 6:43 (Prater kick). DRIVE: 5-56-2:17. KEY PLAYS: Drive set up on interception by linebacker Wesley Woodyard when Saints go for it on fourth-and-2. Manning opens drive with 34-yard pass to Thomas to Saints’ 22. BRONCOS 14, SAINTS 7.

BRONCOS: Prater 33 field goal at 0:00. DRIVE: 11-72-4:24. KEY PLAYS: Manning 19-yard pass to McGahee on first play of drive. Decker 23-yard catch on third-and-6 at the Broncos’ 36. McGahee back-to-back runs of 11 and 10 yards to the Saints’ 20. BRONCOS 17, SAINTS 7.

Third quarter

BRONCOS: Thomas 1 pass from Manning at 9:30 (Prater kick). DRIVE: 11-93-5:30. KEY PLAYS: Manning 26-yard pass to Thomas to the Broncos’ 45. Ronnie Hillman 21-yard run on next play to Saints’ 24. Manning 11-yard pass to Thomas on third-and-2 to Saints’ 5. BRONCOS 24, SAINTS 7.

Fourth quarter

BRONCOS: Decker 2 pass from Manning at 14:54 (Prater kick). DRIVE: 4-51-1:57. KEY PLAYS: Manning 23-yard pass to Tamme to the Saints’ 28, then 23-yard pass to Thomas to the Saints’ 5. BRONCOS 31, SAINTS 7.

BRONCOS: Prater 33 field goal at 5:27. DRIVE: 7-42-3:29. KEY PLAYS: McGahee 15-yard run to Saints’ 37. Hillman 24-yard run to New Orleans’ 13. BRONCOS 34, SAINTS 7.

SAINTS: Jimmy Graham 18 pass from Brees at 2:03 (Hartley kick). DRIVE: 13-80-3:24. KEY PLAYS: Graham 20-yard reception to the Saints’ 40. Brees 14-yard pass to Colston on fourth-and-9. Brees 11-yard pass to Sproles on fourth-and-8 to the Broncos’ 21. BRONCOS 34, saints 14.

FINAL SCORE: Broncos 34, Saints 14

RECORDS: Broncos 4-3, Saints 2-5

ATTENDANCE: 76,832

Sheldon Mickles