New Orleans Saints vs Kansas City Chiefs Match Player Stats

On October 7, 2024, the New Orleans Saints vs Kansas City Chiefs Match Player Stats in a thrilling Monday Night Football showdown at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. The Chiefs emerged victorious with a final score of 26-13, keeping their undefeated record intact at 5-0, while the Saints fell to 2-3. This game was packed with standout performances, critical plays, and fascinating stats that tell the story of a hard-fought battle. Whether you’re a die-hard football fan or just curious about the game, this article breaks down the player stats, key moments, and what made this matchup so exciting—all in a way that’s easy to follow for readers of all ages.

Game Overview: New Orleans Saints vs Kansas City Chiefs Match Player Stats Fight Hard

The Kansas City Chiefs, led by superstar quarterback Patrick Mahomes, came into the game as the only undefeated team in the AFC. The Saints, meanwhile, were looking to rebound after two straight losses following a strong start to the season. The Chiefs’ balanced attack and defensive resilience proved too much for New Orleans, who struggled with turnovers and injuries. Let’s dive into the player stats and see who shined on both sides of the ball.

Key Team Stats

• Final Score: Chiefs 26, Saints 13

• Total Yards: Chiefs 460, Saints 229

• Time of Possession: Chiefs 38:47, Saints 21:13

• Turnovers: Chiefs 1, Saints 2

• Penalties: Chiefs 6 for 50 yards, Saints 5 for 35 yards

The Chiefs dominated possession, holding the ball for nearly 39 minutes, which limited the Saints’ opportunities to mount a comeback. Despite the loss, New Orleans showed flashes of brilliance, particularly in the passing game, but couldn’t overcome early mistakes.

Offensive New Orleans Saints vs Kansas City Chiefs Match Player Stats: Who Led the Way?

Kansas City Chiefs Offense

The Chiefs’ offense, even without key wide receivers Rashee Rice and Hollywood Brown, was firing on all cylinders. Patrick Mahomes and running back Kareem Hunt were the stars of the show, with tight end Travis Kelce and wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster also making significant contributions.

• Patrick Mahomes (QB):

  • Passing: 28/39, 331 yards, 0 TD, 1 INT, 86.6 passer rating

  • Rushing: 6 carries, 22 yards

  • Mahomes was his usual brilliant self, spreading the ball around to eight different receivers. Despite throwing an interception in the end zone, he managed the game well, avoiding sacks and keeping drives alive with his mobility. Notably, he didn’t target a wide receiver in the first quarter, relying heavily on Kelce and tight end Noah Gray early on.

• Kareem Hunt (RB):

  • Rushing: 27 carries, 102 yards, 1 TD, 3.8 yards per carry

  • Receiving: 1 catch, 15 yards

  • Hunt was a workhorse, carrying the ball 27 times and powering through for a 5-yard touchdown in the first quarter. His 41 yards on eight carries in the opening quarter set the tone for Kansas City’s ground game.

• JuJu Smith-Schuster (WR):

  • Receiving: 7 catches, 130 yards, 18.6 yards per catch

  • Smith-Schuster stepped up big time, especially in the fourth quarter, where he had 6 receptions for 117 yards by the 13:22 mark. His ability to find open spaces was crucial in the absence of Kansas City’s top receivers.

• Travis Kelce (TE):

  • Receiving: 9 catches, 70 yards, 7.8 yards per catch

  • Kelce was Mahomes’ go-to target, especially early in the game. His 9 receptions led the team, and he was a reliable option on third downs and in the red zone, even if he didn’t find the end zone.

• Xavier Worthy (WR):

  • Rushing: 1 carry, 3 yards, 1 TD

  • Receiving: 3 catches, 25 yards

  • The rookie made an impact with a 3-yard rushing touchdown in the fourth quarter, helping to seal the game for Kansas City.

• Harrison Butker (K):

  • Field Goals: 4/5 (made 26, 28, 34 yards; missed 51 yards)

  • Extra Points: 2/2

  • Butker was money on most of his kicks, contributing 14 of the Chiefs’ 26 points. His lone miss came on a 51-yard attempt in the third quarter.

The Chiefs’ offense racked up 460 total yards, with 331 through the air and 129 on the ground. Despite red-zone struggles (they settled for four field goals), their ability to sustain long drives kept the Saints’ defense on its heels.

New Orleans Saints Offense

The Saints’ offense, led by quarterback Derek Carr, had a tougher day. Early turnovers and injuries to key players like center Lucas Patrick and safety Will Harris hampered their efforts. Still, players like Rashid Shaheed and Foster Moreau made some big plays.

• Derek Carr (QB):

  • Passing: 18/24, 165 yards, 2 TD, 1 INT, 89.1 passer rating

  • Carr started slow with a first-quarter interception that led to a Chiefs touchdown. However, he bounced back with a 43-yard touchdown pass to Rashid Shaheed in the second quarter and a 6-yard touchdown to Foster Moreau in the fourth. Unfortunately, an oblique injury in the fourth quarter forced him out of the game.

• Alvin Kamara (RB):

  • Rushing: 11 carries, 26 yards, 2.4 yards per carry

  • Receiving: 5 catches, 37 yards

  • Kamara was bottled up by the Chiefs’ defense, averaging just 2.4 yards per carry. His contributions in the passing game were modest but not enough to spark a comeback.

• Rashid Shaheed (WR):

  • Receiving: 4 catches, 86 yards, 1 TD, 21.5 yards per catch

  • Shaheed was the Saints’ biggest playmaker, hauling in a 43-yard touchdown in the second quarter that gave New Orleans life. His speed stretched the Chiefs’ secondary, but he wasn’t targeted enough to change the game’s outcome.

• Foster Moreau (TE):

  • Receiving: 2 catches, 13 yards, 1 TD

  • Moreau’s 6-yard touchdown catch in the fourth quarter brought the Saints within three points (16-13), but they couldn’t close the gap after that.

• Jake Haener (QB):

  • Passing: 2/7, 17 yards, 0 TD, 0 INT

  • Haener came in after Carr’s injury but struggled, completing just 2 of 7 passes. His incomplete pass on fourth down late in the game sealed the Saints’ fate.

• Blake Grupe (K):

  • Field Goals: 0/0

  • Extra Points: 1/2 (missed after Moreau’s TD)

  • Grupe’s missed extra point in the fourth quarter kept the Saints from making it a two-point game.

The Saints’ offense managed just 229 total yards, with 182 passing and 47 rushing. Turnovers and a lack of sustained drives were their downfall, despite a strong red-zone defense early in the season.

Defensive New Orleans Saints vs Kansas City Chiefs Match Player Stats: Who Made the Big Stops?

Kansas City Chiefs Defense

The Chiefs’ defense, coordinated by Steve Spagnuolo, was relentless, forcing two turnovers and limiting the Saints to 13 points. They also held New Orleans to a 20% third-down conversion rate (3/15).

• Khalen Saunders (DT):

  • Interception: 1, 37-yard return

  • Saunders, a former Saint, made a huge play by intercepting Derek Carr in the end zone in the third quarter, returning it 37 yards to give the Chiefs’ offense a short field.

• Bryan Cook (S):

  • Interception: 1

  • Cook picked off Carr in the first quarter, setting up Kansas City’s first touchdown. His play gave the Chiefs early momentum.

• Team Defense:

  • Sacks: 0

  • Tackles for Loss: 3

  • The Chiefs didn’t record a sack but applied consistent pressure, forcing Carr into quick decisions and disrupting the Saints’ rhythm.

New Orleans Saints Defense

The Saints’ defense, despite allowing 460 yards, had some bright spots. They recorded two sacks and an interception, but Kansas City’s time-of-possession advantage wore them down.

• Bryan Bresee (DT):

  • Sacks: 1

  • Bresee got to Mahomes for a sack, one of the few times the Chiefs’ quarterback was brought down. His pressure helped disrupt Kansas City’s rhythm at times.

• Chase Young (DE):

  • Sacks: 1

  • Young added another sack on Mahomes, showing his ability to get after the quarterback.

• Khalen Saunders (DT):

  • Interception: 1, 37-yard return

  • Saunders, now with the Chiefs, is noted here for his impact against his former team, but the Saints’ defense as a whole struggled to stop Kansas City’s balanced attack.

• Team Defense:

  • Sacks: 2

  • Tackles for Loss: 4

  • The Saints’ defense was stout in the red zone early in the season (allowing touchdowns on just 22.2% of trips), but they couldn’t stop the Chiefs from moving the chains consistently.

Special Teams: Kickers and Returners

• Chiefs:

  • Harrison Butker: As mentioned, Butker was nearly perfect, hitting 4 of 5 field goals and both extra points. His 34-yard field goal in the fourth quarter pushed the lead to 26-13.

  • Mecole Hardman (Returner): Hardman had a quiet day on returns but contributed with a 5-yard reception in the second quarter.

• Saints:

  • Blake Grupe: The missed extra point was a critical moment, as it kept the Saints from closing the gap to two points.

  • Rashid Shaheed (Returner): Shaheed didn’t have a big impact on special teams, but his offensive contributions were significant.

Key Moments That Shaped the Game

1. First Quarter Interception (Saints): Derek Carr’s early interception to Bryan Cook set up a 78-yard Chiefs drive, capped by Kareem Hunt’s 5-yard touchdown run. This gave Kansas City a 7-0 lead.

2. Second Quarter Touchdown (Saints): Carr connected with Rashid Shaheed for a 43-yard touchdown, cutting the Chiefs’ lead to 10-7. This was a rare big play for New Orleans.

3. Third Quarter Missed Field Goal (Chiefs): Harrison Butker’s 51-yard attempt went wide, giving the Saints a chance to stay in the game.

4. Third Quarter Interception (Chiefs): Khalen Saunders’ 37-yard interception return off Mahomes kept the Saints alive, setting up their second touchdown.

5. Fourth Quarter Touchdown (Chiefs): Xavier Worthy’s 3-yard rushing touchdown pushed the Chiefs’ lead to 23-13, effectively putting the game out of reach.

6. Carr’s Injury (Saints): Derek Carr’s oblique injury in the fourth quarter forced rookie Jake Haener into the game, and the Saints’ offense stalled.

Why the Chiefs Won

The Chiefs’ victory came down to three key factors:

1. Time of Possession: Holding the ball for nearly 39 minutes allowed Kansas City to control the game’s pace and limit the Saints’ opportunities.

2. Balanced Attack: With 331 passing yards and 129 rushing yards, the Chiefs kept the Saints’ defense guessing. Mahomes’ ability to spread the ball around and Hunt’s physical running were too much to handle.

3. Turnover Battle: The Chiefs won the turnover battle 2-1, with both Saints’ turnovers leading to Kansas City points.

Why the Saints Lost

The Saints’ loss can be attributed to:

1. Early Mistakes: Carr’s first-quarter interception set a bad tone, and the missed extra point by Grupe was costly.

2. Injuries: Losing Carr to an oblique injury and dealing with injuries to Will Harris and Lucas Patrick disrupted the Saints’ rhythm.

3. Inability to Sustain Drives: The Saints converted just 3 of 15 third downs, and their 21:13 time of possession limited their chances to mount a comeback.

What’s Next for New Orleans Saints vs Kansas City Chiefs Match Player Stats Both Teams?

• Kansas City Chiefs (5-0): The Chiefs head to San Francisco to face the 49ers in a Super Bowl LVIII rematch. Their ability to win without key receivers shows their depth, but they’ll need to clean up red-zone inefficiencies.

• New Orleans Saints (2-3): The Saints return home to face the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. They’ll need to get healthier and find ways to get Alvin Kamara more involved to turn their season around.

Final Thoughts

The New Orleans Saints vs Kansas City Chiefs Match Player Stats was a showcase of why football is so exciting. Patrick Mahomes and Kareem Hunt led a relentless Chiefs offense, while Travis Kelce and JuJu Smith-Schuster stepped up in big moments. For the Saints, Rashid Shaheed’s big play and Foster Moreau’s touchdown showed their potential, but turnovers and injuries were too much to overcome. The stats tell the story of a game where Kansas City’s balance and discipline prevailed.