KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Kansas City Chiefs triumphed over the New Orleans Saints with a 26-13 victory on “Monday Night Football.”
Entering the game, the Chiefs faced uncertainties at the wide receiver position, but JuJu Smith-Schuster stepped up, achieving his best game of the season with seven receptions for 130 yards. Meanwhile, the Saints struggled offensively, and quarterback Derek Carr left the game in the fourth quarter due to an oblique injury.
Key takeaways from the matchup include:
The Chiefs finally achieved a comfortable victory. After winning their previous seven games by narrow margins, they defeated the Saints without needing a last-minute effort. This win improved Kansas City’s record to 5-0, marking the twelfth consecutive season under head coach Andy Reid with at least a five-game winning streak.
A bright spot for the Chiefs was the performance of Kareem Hunt, who stepped in during Isiah Pacheco’s absence due to injury. Hunt gained 102 rushing yards and scored one touchdown on 27 carries, displaying enough skill to warrant significant playing time even when Pacheco returns. This means the Chiefs could have strong depth in their backfield.
Kansas City struggled to convert in the red zone, scoring only two touchdowns out of six attempts inside the Saints’ 20-yard line. Smith-Schuster’s deflected pass at the goal line resulted in an interception, preventing another touchdown.
Surprisingly, Smith-Schuster, who had only two catches in the first four games, was pivotal with five catches against the Saints. He excelled after the catch, gaining 82 yards after contact, though he also contributed to the Chiefs’ interception misfortune.
Looking ahead, the Chiefs will face the San Francisco 49ers on October 20.
Injuries plagued the Saints as Carr suffered a hip injury after an incomplete fourth-down pass and had to leave the field for evaluation. The Saints, needing to find a way to counter the Chiefs’ powerful offense, fell behind early after Carr’s interception on their second possession set up Kansas City’s first touchdown.
Despite some highlights, including a 43-yard touchdown reception by Rashid Shaheed, New Orleans lost their third consecutive game, failing to replicate their strong offensive performances from earlier in the season.
A notable moment came from Saints defensive tackle Khalen Saunders, who intercepted a pass in the end zone using a one-handed catch before returning it 37 yards. His family, including a brother who dances for Taylor Swift, was present to witness the play.
Cornerback Paulson Adebo continued to struggle with penalties, having accrued multiple flags in crucial situations. The Saints’ offense also faced challenges running the ball effectively due to an injured offensive line, which led them to rely on risky deep passes.
Passing stats show Carr going 18-of-28 for 165 yards, one touchdown, and one interception before his exit. In his first appearance this season, Jake Haener completed 2-of-7 passes for 17 yards after Carr left the game.
Next, the Saints will compete against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday at 1:00 p.m. ET.