Game Recap: Chiefs Triumph Over Saints
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Chiefs demonstrated their strength once again, with Patrick Mahomes showcasing his passing ability, Travis Kelce making key receptions, and Kareem Hunt making a significant impact by scoring a touchdown, igniting a spectacular fireworks display over Arrowhead Stadium on Monday night.
It felt like a reunion for the trio, who hadn’t played a home game together in nearly six years. Despite a series of injuries affecting their roster, Mahomes, Kelce, and Hunt stepped up to lead Kansas City to a 26-13 victory over the New Orleans Saints. Mahomes kicked off the night with 331 passing yards, Kelce led all receivers with nine catches for 70 yards, and Hunt contributed 102 rushing yards along with a touchdown from 27 carries.
“Getting back in the end zone felt amazing; I’ve missed it,” Hunt shared after the game. He recently returned to the Chiefs following an injury to starting running back Isiah Pacheco. “That’s why I threw up a heart—to express my love for Kansas City.”
The atmosphere inside Arrowhead Stadium was electric, bolstered by the fact that simultaneously, the Kansas City Royals were defeating the New York Yankees 4-2 in Game 2 of their AL Division Series. Fans frequently erupted into chants of “Let’s go Royals!” throughout the night, celebrating as the Royals tied the series before returning to Kansas City.
“There was a moment where I thought the Yankees might come back, as we weren’t seeing the score,” Mahomes remarked, who is also a partial owner of the Royals. “But once I heard they won, it added to the excitement of the night.”
On the defensive side, the Chiefs effectively contained Saints’ quarterback Derek Carr, limiting him to 185 passing yards, with two touchdowns and one interception before he exited the game with an oblique injury. Carr sustained the injury with just under 10 minutes left in the game after being hit on a fourth-down attempt by defensive back Chamarri Conner.
“I just wasn’t able to perform the way I needed to,” Carr explained, mentioning that he plans to undergo an MRI exam on Tuesday.
Alvin Kamara struggled as well, managing only 26 rushing yards on 11 carries, marking yet another running back unable to find success against the sturdy Chiefs defense. Earlier in the season, Kansas City held prominent backs like Derrick Henry and Bijan Robinson to minimal yardage.
“We were simply outplayed,” admitted Saints coach Dennis Allen. “We couldn’t generate much offense on either side of the field.”
The first half of the game encapsulated the unpredictability of football: Hunt scoring his first touchdown since his return to Kansas City, a 43-yard touchdown pass from Carr to Rashid Shaheed, and Kelce executing a surprising lateral on a chaotic drive. The Chiefs were leading 10-7 when a fumbled pitch and a holding penalty set them back to second-and-34, yet they managed to recover and secure a field goal, leading 16-7 by halftime.
As the third quarter unfolded, the Chiefs continued to struggle in the red zone, with a potential touchdown foiled when Smith-Schuster’s missed catch resulted in a rare interception by former player Khalen Saunders.
Despite a resilient effort from the Saints, including a touchdown catch by Foster Moreau bringing them closer at 16-13, the Chiefs struck back decisively. Mahomes connected with Smith-Schuster for a 50-yard pass, setting the stage for Xavier Worthy’s touchdown run that widened the gap early in the fourth quarter.
The Chiefs sealed their victory with a final field goal after stopping the Saints on a crucial fourth down, demonstrating their ability to perform under pressure. “It’s incredible to have our core back together,” Smith-Schuster said, noting his return to the team after a stint in New England. “The environment here is so special; it feels unreal.”
Notable Attendance
Also back in attendance at Arrowhead Stadium was Taylor Swift, who returned to support Kelce after missing his previous two games. Swift is set to continue her record-breaking Eras Tour with performances in Miami later this week.
Injury Report
For the Saints, cornerback Will Harris injured his hamstring in the first half while center Lucas Patrick briefly exited with a collarbone issue in the third quarter. The Chiefs’ left tackle Wanya Morris left the game due to a lower leg injury but was able to return.
Looking Ahead
The New Orleans Saints are set to host the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday, while the Kansas City Chiefs will enjoy a bye week before traveling to face the San Francisco 49ers on October 20.
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