Patrick Mahomes/ Kansas City Chiefs/ Derek Carr injury/ Chiefs vs Saints recap/ NFL highlights/ Travis Kelce/ Kareem Hunt/ Taylor Swift Chiefs game/ Newslooks/ KANSAS CITY, Mo./ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Patrick Mahomes led the Kansas City Chiefs to a 26-13 victory over the New Orleans Saints, throwing for 331 yards. Travis Kelce and returning running back Kareem Hunt contributed strongly, while Derek Carr left with an injury. Taylor Swift attended the game to support Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce.
Chiefs Shut Down Saints Quick Look
- Mahomes Dominates: Mahomes threw for 331 yards, key to the Chiefs’ win.
- Carr Injured: Derek Carr left the game with an oblique injury.
- Key Contributions: Kareem Hunt ran for 102 yards and a touchdown.
- Red Zone Issues: Chiefs settled for several field goals, leaving points on the field.
- Saints Struggle: The Saints had limited offensive success, including a rough night for Alvin Kamara.
- Taylor Swift Returns: Swift attended the game to cheer on Kelce.
Chiefs Beat Saints 26-13, Mahomes Throws for 331 Yards
Deep Look
In a Monday night showdown at Arrowhead Stadium, the Kansas City Chiefs clinched a 26-13 win over the New Orleans Saints, powered by quarterback Patrick Mahomes’ 331 passing yards and notable contributions from Travis Kelce and returning running back Kareem Hunt. Injuries and strategic plays colored the evening, with the Chiefs adjusting to a depleted offense by relying on familiar faces to secure the victory.
Mahomes’ night was defined by quick, calculated passes that allowed him to efficiently move the Chiefs downfield. The Saints’ defense worked to limit his deep throws, forcing Mahomes to adapt by leaning on reliable receiver Travis Kelce, who recorded nine catches for 70 yards. Hunt, a former Chiefs standout who rejoined the team after Isiah Pacheco’s injury, brought his signature intensity with 102 rushing yards on 27 carries, including a touchdown that thrilled the Arrowhead crowd. “It was a great feeling to get back in the end zone. I missed it very much,” Hunt commented, displaying gratitude for his renewed role with the team.
The victory wasn’t without challenges. New Orleans’ Derek Carr was kept to 185 passing yards, two touchdowns, and an interception before sustaining an oblique injury that forced him from the game in the fourth quarter. Carr had attempted a comeback, hitting receiver Rashid Shaheed for a 43-yard touchdown, but the Saints couldn’t overcome Kansas City’s defense, which held star running back Alvin Kamara to just 26 yards on 11 carries. Carr’s injury, sustained when defensive back Chamarri Conner blitzed him on a fourth-down incompletion, adds to the Saints’ growing injury list. Carr expressed frustration, noting, “I couldn’t do what I needed to do in the simplest form.”
While the Chiefs led 16-7 at halftime, red-zone struggles resurfaced as they settled for field goals instead of touchdowns. A notable missed opportunity came when JuJu Smith-Schuster deflected a potential scoring pass into the arms of former Chiefs defensive tackle Khalen Saunders, leading to his first career interception. Despite the Saints capitalizing on this miscue, with a touchdown from Foster Moreau narrowing the lead to 16-13, the Chiefs quickly rebounded. Smith-Schuster’s 50-yard reception set up a handoff to Xavier Worthy, who punched in another touchdown early in the fourth quarter to cement Kansas City’s control.
Monday’s game also witnessed a crossover of Kansas City’s sports fans, with Royals fans chanting in support of their team’s AL Division Series game against the Yankees in New York. After the Royals secured a win, cheers echoed through the stadium, and Mahomes, who owns part of the Royals, said he felt “extremely excited” about the Kansas City win. “I was hoping for the best, but to hear they picked up the win was awesome,” he added.
Taylor Swift’s presence in the stands also added to the evening’s star power, marking her return after missing the Chiefs’ two road games. The singer, who has been spotted at numerous games supporting Kelce, will soon resume her Eras Tour, kicking off three Miami shows this Friday. Her attendance has continually brought heightened attention to Chiefs games, blending pop culture with NFL fandom in a unique way.
On the injury front, both teams had setbacks. Saints cornerback Will Harris exited due to a hamstring issue, and center Lucas Patrick briefly left with a collarbone injury. Chiefs left tackle Wanya Morris exited with a leg injury but managed to return to action.
Next up, the Chiefs have a bye week before heading to San Francisco, while the Saints prepare to host the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
