The Kansas City Chiefs dispatched the New Orleans Saints with relative ease Monday night, cruising to a 26-13 win to cap Week 5.
Patrick Mahomes threw for 331 yards, while Xavier Worthy and Kareem Hunt added touchdowns on the ground. Tight end Travis Kelce and receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster had big games for the Chiefs, catching nine passes for 70 yards and seven passes for 130 yards, respectively. They provided much-needed support for the Chiefs’ passing game, which is down star wideout Rashee Rice, who was injured last week.
Derek Carr struggled for the Saints. He was picked off on the team’s opening drive and threw for only 165 yards. He left the game in the fourth quarter with an oblique injury and did not return for New Orleans’s final possession.
Kansas City dominated this game more than the score would indicate. The Chiefs doubled the Saints in first downs, more than doubled them in total yards and nearly doubled them in time of possession.
New Orleans’ defense was stout in the red zone, which kept the score close. Kansas City scored touchdowns on only two of its six red zone trips. Mahomes also threw a red zone interception, while Harrison Butker missed one of his five field-goal attempts.
Though it wasn’t pretty, the Chiefs remained undefeated and are now 5-0. Kansas City has a bye next week before a Super Bowl rematch with the San Francisco 49ers on Oct. 20.
The Saints are 2-3 after their third straight loss. They will play NFC South rival Tampa Bay Buccaneers next week.
Chiefs win 26-13
This game was not as close as the score would indicate.
The Chiefs won rather easily, dominating on offense and controlling possession for most of the night. If not for some red zone foibles, Kansas City would have won by an outsized margin.
The Chiefs are now 5-0.
The Saints are now 2-3, losing their third straight. Their attention will now turn to quarterback Derek Carr, who left the game in the fourth with an oblique injury.
Wait, who is Jake Haener?
The Saints are currently riding with Jake Haener at quarterback after an oblique injury to Derek Carr.
Haener was New Orleans’s fourth-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. He did not appear in any games last season after he was suspended for the first six weeks of the season for failing a drug test for a performance-enhancing substance.
Entering tonight, Haener had attempted only one pass in the NFL. He was in college for five years — two with the Washington Huskies, and three with the Fresno State Bulldogs.
Chiefs add one more field goal
After a drive that took over six minutes off the clock, the Chiefs hit their fourth field goal of the night to give themselves a 26-13 lead.
The Saints will go back on offense with Jake Haener at quarterback, as Derek Carr still hasn’t returned from the locker room with his oblique injury.
Derek Carr heading to locker room
After the Saints last offensive play, Derek Carr got up holding his back. After a brief stay in the blue medical tent, he went back to the locker room.
ESPN broadcasters said it was an oblique injury and his return was questionable.
Saints turn ball over on downs
Trailing 23-13, the Saints went for it on 4th-and-8, but couldn’t convert. Their drive ends after only six plays and 29 yards.
Kansas City will take over on its own 41 with under 10 minutes to go.
Chiefs come right back with a touchdown of their own
It took only five plays for the Chiefs to go 68 yards and bump their lead back up to 10.
Travis Kelce took a direct snap and handed the ball to Xavier Worthy from three yards out for the score.
It’s only Kansas City’s second touchdown in six red zone trips tonight, but it gives the Chiefs a 23-13 lead.
Touchdown, Saints!
The Saints waste no time in taking advantage of a Patrick Mahomes turnover.
Derek Carr led an eight-play, 65-yard drive culminating in a Foster Moreau touchdown pass from six yards out. The Saints missed the extra point, so the score is 16-13 Chiefs.
End of third: Chiefs 16, Saints 7
The Saints are driving with a chance to cut into the Kansas City lead at the end of the third quarter.
New Orleans is hanging around thanks to its defense, which has held the Chiefs to only one touchdown in five red zone trips. Kansas City also has a missed field goal, and on its last drive, Patrick Mahomes was picked off in the end zone.
Can the Saints finally capitalize?
Saints pick off Patrick Mahomes in the end zone!
What a huge play!
The Chiefs looked like they were about to add to their 16-7 lead, but off a deflection, Khalen Saunders picked off Patrick Mahomes in the end zone and ran it back out to the New Orleans 35-yard line.
Huge play for the Saints defense, which keeps coming up with stops in the red zone.
Saunders’s brother Kameron, by the way, is a backup dancer for none other than Taylor Swift. He shared a stage with Swift and Travis Kelce during an Eras Tour show in London.
Derek Carr sacked; Saints punt again
New Orleans almost had a big first down in Chiefs territory, but an illegal shift penalty on Chris Olave wiped it out. On the next play, Derek Carr was sacked, and New Orleans punted again.
The Chiefs take over with a 16-7 lead. The Saints defense will have to find a way to get another stop.
Chiefs miss field goal after controversial non-call
The Chiefs attempted a 51-yard field goal after picking up 38 yards in nine plays but missed.
On third down, Patrick Mahomes tried to find Xavier Worthy streaking down the right sideline, but the pass fell incomplete. Both Troy Aikman and ESPN’s rules analyst felt pass interference should have been called on the Saints, but there was no flag.
New Orleans now takes over trailing 16-7. But can the Saints sustain any offense?
Third quarter is underway …
… And the Chiefs started on their own 29. Their first play was a four-yard run by Kareem Hunt.
Saints hold Chiefs to a third field goal; it’s halftime
On one hand, it’s bad the Saints allowed another score before halftime.
On the other, the Chiefs only score three after another red zone stand by New Orleans. Kansas City has only one touchdown in four red zone trips tonight, but that’s still good enough for a 16-7 lead headed into the break.
The Chiefs will receive to start the second half.
Saints go three-and-out again
Awful drive for the Saints, who gain no yards in three plays (in only 20 seconds!) and will punt.
Now Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs will have another chance to score before halftime, already sporting a 13-7 lead.
Chiefs hit another field goal
Though they got a first down after facing a 2nd-and-34, the Chiefs couldn’t convert a 3rd-and-14 after Patrick Mahomes was sacked on second down.
Harrison Butker hit a 34-yard field goal to give Kansas City a 13-7 lead.
The Saints will have one minute and 32 seconds, but no timeouts, to answer before halftime.
Travis Kelce lateral!
The Chiefs have a first down after previously facing a 2nd-and-34.
On third down, Travis Kelce pitched the ball to Samaje Perine for a 22-yard gain to set up the short fourth-down conversion.
Kansas City is still driving.
Saints finally on the board!
Derek Carr hit Rashid Shaheed streaking down the middle of the field, and the Saints have a touchdown!
Carr lofted a perfect pass to Shaheed for the 43-yard score.
New Orleans now trails 10-7.
Chiefs up 10-0 after field goal
A Chiefs drive stalls inside the 10-yard line and they settled for a 26-yard field goal.
Patrick Mahomes did all he could to convert on third down — including a spin move after scrambling outside and back into the pocket. But he couldn’t find an open receiver.
Let’s see if the Saints can get going on offense.
End of first: Chiefs 7, Saints 0
Fifteen minutes are done and the Chiefs are up by seven.
Kareem Hunt has a rushing touchdown, and Travis Kelce has four catches for 35 yards.
Derek Carr has an interception and the Saints have two three-and-outs.
Kansas City will have the ball in New Orleans territory to start the second.
Another quick punt for the Saints
Here are the Saints drives so far: Interception. Punt. Punt.
New Orleans went three-and-out again this time. A false start moved them back, and Derek Carr couldn’t find Rashid Shaheed deep on third down.
The Chiefs still lead 7-0.
Chiefs punting right back
The Chiefs follow up a Saints three-and-out with one of their own.
A Jawaan Taylor false start set the drive back, and Patrick Mahomes couldn’t make an accurate throw while under pressure on 3rd-and-12. New Orleans takes over trailing 7-0.
Saints can’t answer touchdown
New Orleans goes three-and-out after the Chiefs touchdown. The Saints could only manage five yards in three plays before punting.
Kansas City takes over with a 7-0 lead.
Hot start for Travis Kelce
Travis Kelce had three catches for 31 yards on Kansas City’s opening drive.
After a slow start in the first three weeks of the season, Kelce is coming alive. He had seven catches in Week 4, and he’s on pace for many more tonight.
The Chiefs need his production with Isiah Pacheco and Rashee Rice both out.
Derek Carr picked off, and the Chiefs score soon after
Exciting start to this game!
Saints QB Derek Carr was picked off after a baffling attempt at a throwaway on their first drive.
And the Chiefs responded by immediately putting up a touchdown. Travis Kelce had a few receptions on the quick drive, which resulted in a Kareem Hunt touchdown run.
Taylor Swift has arrived at Arrowhead Stadium
Chiefs TE Travis Kelce’s girlfriend, pop superstar Taylor Swift, has arrived in Kansas City for tonight’s MNF game. It is her first game since the Chiefs’ home win against the Cincinnati Bengals on Sept. 15.
Chiefs winning despite middle-tier offense
Patrick Mahomes and Co. are 4-0 on the season but all four wins have come by seven or fewer points. It’s actually the Chiefs’ defense, not typically high-powered offense, keeping them in games.
Kansas City’s offensive numbers are middle of the pack. It ranks 15th in points per game (23), 15th in yards per game (328.3), 13th in points per play (0.385) and 16th in yards per play (5.5).
Mahomes has yet to throw for 300 yards in a game this year and has a 89.7 QBR — 19th in the NFL.
Travis Kelce coming off first big game of season
Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce had a much-needed breakout game against the Los Angeles Chargers last Sunday, aiding his team in a 17-10 win.
Kelce, 35, had five catches for 74 yards in the first half alone. Those 74 yards eclipsed the 69 yards he had amassed during the first three games of the season combined. He finished with 89 yards on seven receptions.
Entering last Sunday, Kelce hadn’t caught more than four passes or finished with more than 34 yards in any game this season.
Alvin Kamara has returned to form in 2024
Kamara, a Pro Bowler from 2017-2021, has looked like his old self so far this season. He’s averaging 90.5 yards a game and has five scores on the ground. Kamara has also proven to be a passing-catching threat with 174 yards receiving and a touchdown.
The 29-year-old could be the difference against the Chiefs on Monday night.
Tale of two halves for Saints
The New Orleans Saints got out to a blistering start, scoring 47 points against the Panthers in Week 1 and then 44 points against the Cowboys in Week 2. Since then, however, that production has dropped mightily.
In back-to-back losses, New Orleans scored 15 and 26, respectively. Quarterback Derek Carr has also come down to earth with one total touchdown and two interceptions over that time period.
Which team will we see against a Chiefs defense surrendering 227.8 passing yards a contest?
Chiefs aiming for another hot start
The Chiefs are looking to start 5-0 for fifth time in franchise history and the fourth time under head coach Andy Reid. It would be the first time since 2018, the first season with Patrick Mahomes as starting quarterback.
That said, they haven’t looked dominant. All four wins during the 4-0 start have come by seven points or fewer.
No Pacheco, now no Rice
Already without the team’s leading rusher in running back Isiah Pacheco (fibula), the Chiefs will be without leading receiver Rashee Rice, who suffered a knee injury in Week 4. Rice is still undergoing an evaluation to see the extent of the injury and a timetable for a possible return.
“We’ve got a good group of guys there that we can utilize,” Andy Reid told reporters this week, “and we normally spread the ball around and that’s what we’ll continue to strive to do.”