Broncos replay: It's another Broncos nailbiter

By Pat Rooney, Special to the Rocky

Published September 21, 2008 at 11:36 p.m.

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Photo by Darin McGregor © The Rocky

The Broncos' Jay Cutler celebrates with Brandon Marshall.

Photo by Darin McGregor / The Rocky

New Orleans defense secures a safety after tackling Denver's Andre Hall.

Photo by Doug Pensinger © Getty Images

Reggie Bush takes it into the end zone for the Saints.

For the second consecutive week, the Broncos and their opponent lit up Invesco Field at Mile High. And for the second consecutive week, the Broncos escaped with a thrilling victory, defeating the New Orleans Saints 34-32 to improve to 3-0.

The Broncos defense had no answer for New Orleans quarterback Drew Brees, but the Saints didn't have one for Broncos quarterback Jay Cutler, either. Cutler completed 21 of 34 passes for 264 yards and two touchdowns, offsetting a 421-yard effort by Brees.

The Broncos almost squandered a 21-3 lead but were assured of a 3-0 start after the Saints' Martin Gramatica missed a potential winning field goal from 43 yards with just under two minutes remaining.

First quarter: Broncos 14-3

The Broncos offense picks up where it left off against San Diego, capping its first two possessions with touchdown passes from Cutler, the first going to Nate Jackson from 1 yard out and the next going to Brandon Marshall for a 35-yard score. In between, Gramatica puts New Orleans on the board with a 43-yard field goal.

Second quarter: Broncos 24-19

Broncos linebacker Nate Webster appears to break the game open with a 34-yard fumble return for a touchdown on the second play of the quarter, but the Saints storm back. New Orleans gets a 5-yard touchdown run from Pierre Thomas and a 23-yard touchdown run from Reggie Bush. Matt Prater kicks a 27-yard field goal to give Denver a 24-17 lead, but after a Broncos goal-line stand, Andre Hall is tackled in the end zone for a Saints safety, cutting Denver's edge to 24-19.

Third quarter: Broncos 34-26

The teams trade punts before the offensive fireworks resume. The Broncos take a 31-19 lead after a 2-yard run by Michael Pittman, but Brees quickly answers, hitting Robert Meachem for a 74-yard gain that sets up a 6-yard scoring pass to Bush. The Broncos extend their lead to 34-26 on a 34-yard field goal by Prater.

Fourth quarter: Broncos 34-32

A 10-yard touchdown run by Thomas pulls the Saints within two points, but the Broncos knock down Brees' two-point conversion attempt to retain the lead. The Saints' rally ends when Gramatica misses from 43 yards with 1:55 remaining.

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