Drew Brees made his much anticipated return to the gridiron, but it left a lot to be desired with the New Orleans Saints falling short for the second straight contest.
How It Happened:
After an early stalemate, the Kansas City Chiefs took control after picking off Drew Brees deep in New Orleans territory. Patrick Mahomes got the Chiefs on the board first with a short pass to Tyreek Hill.
After another three-and-out by the Saints, Kansas City put together an 11-play drive that ended with Mahomes finding Travis Kelce in the endzone on a one-yard pass to Travis Kelce to go up 14-0 early in the second quarter. The Saints responded later in the quarter with a 51-yard pass from Drew Brees to Emmanuel Sanders that turned into a one-yard touchdown run for Taysom Hill to make it a 14-7 ballgame.
New Orleans had a tough break to end the first half after Demarcus Robinson coughed up the football off a punt return that rolled out of the back of the endzone for a safety, making it 14-9 as both teams entered the locker room. Drew Brees wasted little time getting the Saints on the board to start the second half with Brees finding Latavius Murray for a 24-yard touchdown pass to take a 15-14 lead after a failed two-point conversion.
The Chiefs responded with a nine-play drive that ended with Mahomes finding Mecole Hardman for a touchdown to go up 21-15. After a pair of three-and-outs by the Saints, Kansas City made it a 14-point ballgame after a short pass to Mahomes and a lateral to Le’Veon Bell resulted in a touchdown followed up by a short pass to Kelce for two.
The Saints turned the momentum around with the defense forcing Mahomes to cough up the football and turning it into seven points with a touchdown pass to Kamara to get within seven. The Chiefs responded with a methodical ten-play drive that ended with a chip shot field goal by Harrison Butker to make it a two-possession game.
The Saints marched down the field quickly and made it a three-point ballgame with Brees finding Lil’Jordan Humphrey in the endzone with a 17-yard touchdown pass.
However, the Saints defense couldn’t stop the Chiefs defense from getting a first down inside the two-minute warning, losing their second straight contest.
Big Number: 10
The Saints have been one of the most penalized teams in the league this season and Sunday was another example with 10 penalties on the night against the Chiefs. It was even more damaging with five of those resulting in first downs and one leading to star defensive end Cam Jordan being ejected.
Player of the Game: Patrick Mahomes
The star of the Chiefs offense came up big in the marquee matchup with 254 yards passing and three touchdowns. It was another game for him that may have solidified a case for another NFL MVP honor.
Next Up: Friday vs Minnesota Vikings; Kickoff at 3:30 pm