NEW ORLEANS – To heck with eight to 10 plays, Sean Payton elected to double that Saturday with his offensive starters.

The Broncos coach had given the “eight to 10” figure Thursday but said it was not “etched in stone.” It turned out to indeed not be “etched” although Payton changed “stone” to “concrete” after his team defeated New Orleans 28-19 at the Superdome to conclude the preseason at 3-0.

With quarterback Bo Nix and most of the other offensive starters in for 19 plays in three series, that provided some much-needed momentum for the Broncos entering the Sept. 7 regular-season opener against Tennessee. On the 19th and final play, Nix threw a 19-yard touchdown pass to Courtland Sutton to put the Broncos up 10-6 early in the second quarter.

“It's good to find the end zone and good to

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