The New Orleans Saints faced the Kansas City Chiefs in a highly anticipated matchup, and the game lived up to expectations with an interesting mix of offensive and defensive performances. Despite a strong start, the Saints were unable to keep up with the Chiefs, who dominated throughout most of the game. This blog post will break down the key player stats from the game, analyze the strengths and weaknesses of both teams, and discuss what the numbers say about the overall performance of each squad.
Final Score Overview
- New Orleans Saints: 13
- Kansas City Chiefs: 26
The game saw the Saints struggle offensively, finishing with just 220 total yards, while the Chiefs dominated on both sides of the ball with 460 total yards. Kansas City’s explosive offense, led by Patrick Mahomes, was a significant factor in their victory, while the Saints were held to just one touchdown on the day.
Offensive Breakdown
New Orleans Saints
The Saints’ offense had a difficult day against the Chiefs’ defense, as they were unable to get any momentum going after a slow first half.
Total Yards: 220
Passing Yards: 174
Rushing Yards: 46
Total Plays: 51
Yards per Play: 4.3
The Saints’ offense struggled to find a rhythm, especially in the passing game. Quarterback Derek Carr was under pressure throughout the game, which led to poor offensive efficiency. He completed 20 of 35 passes for 174 yards, averaging just 4.8 yards per attempt. This lack of downfield success limited the Saints’ ability to move the ball effectively. The Saints also failed to capitalize on third downs, converting just 4 of 10 attempts.
Rushing Game:
The Saints’ running game was equally ineffective. Running back Alvin Kamara was limited to just 46 yards on 15 attempts, averaging 3.1 yards per carry. The Saints’ offensive line struggled to create holes for Kamara, which severely limited the team’s ability to control the clock and move the ball with any consistency.
Key Player: Derek Carr
Derek Carr’s performance was lackluster, as he threw one interception and failed to sustain drives. Carr’s ability to connect with his receivers was limited, and his lack of deep ball accuracy was a key factor in the Saints’ inability to keep pace with the Chiefs. Carr had a QB rating of 67.5 for the game, which is well below his usual standards.
Kansas City Chiefs
The Chiefs, on the other hand, displayed their offensive power. With Patrick Mahomes at the helm, they were able to control the game for most of the contest. Kansas City’s offense operated efficiently, utilizing a balanced attack to put up 460 total yards.
Total Yards: 460
Passing Yards: 321
Rushing Yards: 139
Total Plays: 80
Yards per Play: 5.8
Mahomes threw for 321 yards on 28 completions out of 39 attempts, averaging a solid 7.8 yards per pass. His playmaking ability and composure in the pocket were key factors in the Chiefs’ success. Mahomes made crucial throws when needed and managed to spread the ball around to multiple receivers. Additionally, the Chiefs had a much better third-down conversion rate, converting 6 out of 14 attempts compared to the Saints’ 4 out of 10.
Rushing Game:
The Chiefs’ rushing attack was more productive than the Saints’ and helped take pressure off Mahomes. Kansas City totaled 139 rushing yards, with running back Isiah Pacheco leading the way. Pacheco rushed for 68 yards on 15 attempts, averaging 4.5 yards per carry. The Chiefs’ offensive line did a better job of creating running lanes, and their ability to mix in the run game kept the Saints’ defense on their toes.
Key Player: Patrick Mahomes
Mahomes was instrumental in this win, once again demonstrating why he’s one of the top quarterbacks in the league. He threw for over 300 yards, including a touchdown pass, and managed the game effectively. While he did throw an interception, Mahomes’ ability to extend plays and find open receivers in critical moments kept the Chiefs in control throughout the game. His 118.4 QB rating reflected his overall efficiency.
Defensive Breakdown
New Orleans Saints
Defensively, the Saints had their moments, but they were ultimately overwhelmed by the Chiefs’ ability to make plays in critical situations. Despite allowing 460 total yards, the Saints defense was able to limit the Chiefs to just two touchdowns in the red zone out of seven attempts. However, this was still not enough to keep them in the game.
Total Yards Allowed: 460
Passing Yards Allowed: 321
Rushing Yards Allowed: 139
Sacks: 1 sack for 8 yards
The Saints’ pass rush was not particularly effective, as they only managed to sack Mahomes once, which limited their ability to disrupt his rhythm. They also struggled to stop the run, allowing 139 rushing yards. The Chiefs were able to control the clock with their ground game, which ultimately wore down the Saints’ defense.
Key Player: Demario Davis
Linebacker Demario Davis led the Saints’ defense with 8 tackles and was active throughout the game. Davis tried to provide leadership on a defense that was on the field for a majority of the game due to the offense’s inability to stay on the field.
Kansas City Chiefs
The Chiefs’ defense had an overall solid performance, managing to keep the Saints from scoring more than one touchdown. Kansas City’s defense stepped up when it mattered, forcing the Saints to settle for field goals and preventing any sustained drives. The Chiefs’ defense did a good job of limiting the Saints’ passing game and contained Kamara for most of the game.
Total Yards Allowed: 220
Passing Yards Allowed: 174
Rushing Yards Allowed: 46
Sacks: 2 sacks for 10 yards
The Chiefs were able to generate a decent pass rush, sacking Carr twice and putting consistent pressure on him. Their secondary did a solid job of limiting big plays, with no receiver for the Saints able to break free for a significant gain.
Key Player: Chris Jones
Defensive lineman Chris Jones was one of the standout performers for Kansas City. Jones recorded a sack and was a constant presence in the backfield, disrupting the Saints’ offensive flow. His ability to get pressure on Carr was a key component in the Chiefs’ defensive success.
Special Teams and Penalties
Special teams did not play a huge role in the outcome of the game, but they were not without incident. Both teams were relatively clean in terms of penalties, with the Saints committing 5 penalties for 70 yards, and the Chiefs committing 6 penalties for 55 yards. Neither team had any turnovers on special teams, which kept the game from being affected by poor field position or bad returns.
Final Thoughts
The Kansas City Chiefs were the dominant team in this matchup, both offensively and defensively. Mahomes’ performance, combined with a solid rushing attack, gave the Chiefs an overwhelming advantage in total yards and possession time. The Chiefs controlled the game for nearly 40 minutes, which limited the Saints’ opportunities to score. On the other hand, the Saints’ offense was out of sync for much of the game, and despite a solid effort from their defense, they were unable to stop the Chiefs.
For the Saints, it was a disappointing loss, as they were unable to capitalize on a few key defensive stops. The offense, led by Derek Carr, must improve, especially in terms of consistency and the passing game. The rushing attack needs to be more effective to provide a balanced offensive threat. The defense, while showing flashes of solid play, could not keep up with the Chiefs for an entire game.
As for the Chiefs, they continue to look like one of the top teams in the league, with Patrick Mahomes playing at an MVP level. Their balanced offensive attack and opportunistic defense allow them to control games, and they will certainly be a team to watch as the season progresses.
Both teams will need to address key areas of improvement moving forward. For the Saints, finding a way to consistently move the ball and convert third downs will be a priority. The Chiefs will continue to build on their offensive and defensive strengths as they look to make another deep playoff run.
