Here’s something you don’t want to hear two days before matching up with the No. 1 offense in the NFL: That arguably your best cornerback and best defensive lineman will both be out of the game with injury.

This will be Talib’s third straight game he’s missed and Wolfe’s first. With a bye week around the corner, though, the Broncos expect (hope) that they’ll both return in full against Kansas City in Week 12.

Denver is clearly in a rut, and this won’t help. If they’re to keep up with the high-powered New Orleans offense, they need their defense at full strength. Either that, or the offense better be ready to break out of their slump.