Javonte Williams has rushed two touchdowns as the Denver Broncos beat the banged-up and reeling New Orleans Saints 33-10.

The Broncos (4-3) gave second-year coach Sean Payton a victory in his return to the city where he coached the Saints to nine playoff appearances and their only Super Bowl title during his 15 seasons.

Bo Nix passed for 164 yards and ran for 75 yards for Denver (4-3), who dominated Thursday night's match statistically. The Broncos outgained New Orleans 389 yards to 271 while sending the Saints (2-5) to their fifth straight defeat.

It was hard coming here because there were so many of those memories. I tried to downplay it best I could but it's about the players. And they played their tail off," Payton said. "And I felt bad, New Orleans is nicked up, got a lot of injuries."

With Saints quarterback Derek Carr (oblique) missing his second straight game, there were rookies under centre for both teams.

Spencer Rattler made his second straight start for New Orleans and his lack of experience was exacerbated by injuries all across the the offense.

The Saints were missing top receivers Chris Olave (concussion) and Rashid Shaheed (knee), the latter going on injured reserve earlier in the day. Two starting linemen, centre Erik McCoy (groin) and guard Cesar Ruiz (knee), were out. Versatile tight end Taysom Hill (ribs) missed his third straight game.

Rattler was overwhelmed by a Denver defence that came in ranked fourth in the NFL in yards allowed.

He was 25 of 35 for 172 yards, rushed for 34 yards and lost two fumbles, the second of which was returned 52 yards for a touchdown by Cody Barton in the fourth quarter.

Rattler appeared shaken up on the play and was replaced by Jake Haener, who connected with Cedric Wilson for New Orleans' lone TD.

Barton forced Rattler's first fumble, which led to one of former Saint Wil Lutz's four field goals.

Rattler was sacked six times, once by linebacker Nik Bonitto, who had a sack for a fifth straight game.

New Orleans' defence, meanwhile, could not come up with any momentum-turning plays.

Tryann Mathieu uncharacteristically dropped an errant pass by Nix that sailed directly to the veteran defensive back late in the second quarter. That allowed the the Broncos to close out the half with a field goal and a 16-3 lead.