Kansas City crushed New Orleans 26 to 13 at Arrowhead Stadium on October 7, 2024. Patrick Mahomes threw for 331 yards while Kareem Hunt rushed for 102 yards and a touchdown. JuJu Smith-Schuster added seven catches for 130 yards. Derek Carr completed 18 of 28 passes for 165 yards and two touchdowns before an oblique injury forced him out in the fourth quarter.
The Chiefs ran 80 plays. The Saints ran 51. That possession gap decided everything.
Table of Contents
Complete Team Statistics
| Category | New Orleans | Kansas City |
|---|---|---|
| Final Score | 13 | 26 |
| Total Yards | 220 | 460 |
| First Downs | 14 | 28 |
| Time of Possession | 20:04 | 39:56 |
| Third Down | 4/10 (40%) | 6/14 (43%) |
| Fourth Down | 0/2 (0%) | 1/1 (100%) |
| Red Zone | 1/1 (100%) | 2/7 (29%) |
| Turnovers | 1 | 1 |
Kansas City doubled New Orleans in first downs and total yardage while controlling the ball for nearly 40 minutes. The Saints offense spent more time watching than playing.
Quarterback Performance
Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City Chiefs
| Stat | Total |
|---|---|
| Completions/Attempts | 28/39 |
| Passing Yards | 331 |
| Touchdowns | 0 |
| Interceptions | 1 |
| Passer Rating | 86.6 |
| Times Sacked | 2 for 10 yards |
| Rushing Yards | 22 on 6 attempts |
Mahomes spread the ball to eight different receivers. Not bad considering Rashee Rice went down the week before. The two time MVP didn’t throw a touchdown pass but kept drives alive with his legs, converting three first downs on scrambles.
His 331 yards marked the 46th time he’s topped 300 yards passing, extending his NFL lead since 2018. The next closest quarterback has 32 such games. That’s dominance.
Derek Carr, New Orleans Saints
| Stat | Total |
|---|---|
| Completions/Attempts | 18/28 |
| Passing Yards | 165 |
| Touchdowns | 2 |
| Interceptions | 1 |
| Passer Rating | 89.1 |
| Times Sacked | 1 for 8 yards |
Carr reached two major milestones in this game: his 250th career touchdown pass and 40,000th career passing yard. He became just the seventh quarterback to hit 40,000 yards in his first 11 seasons, joining Drew Brees, Peyton Manning, Matt Ryan, Dan Marino, Matthew Stafford, and Russell Wilson.
Then it all went wrong.
An oblique injury forced him out with 9:38 left in the fourth quarter. Carr said after the game he couldn’t do what he needed to do. The injury occurred on a throw, not a hit. The torque motion did the damage. He scheduled an MRI for the next day.
Jake Haener relieved Carr and went 2 of 7 for 17 yards. Not exactly the spark New Orleans needed.
Rushing Performance
Kansas City Chiefs
| Player | Carries | Yards | Average | TD | Long |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kareem Hunt | 27 | 102 | 3.8 | 1 | 8 |
| Patrick Mahomes | 6 | 22 | 3.7 | 0 | 9 |
| Carson Steele | 5 | 12 | 2.4 | 0 | 8 |
| Xavier Worthy | 1 | 3 | 3.0 | 1 | 3 |
Hunt hadn’t rushed for 100 yards since November 2020. Nearly four years. He signed with Kansas City two weeks earlier after Isiah Pacheco broke his fibula. Twenty-seven carries later, he proved the legs still work.
Hunt forced seven missed tackles and gained 64 yards after contact, punishing defenders on every carry. His five yard touchdown in the first quarter opened the scoring and set the tone for what was coming.
The Chiefs offensive line created consistent gaps. Hunt hit them hard. Simple formula, devastating results.
New Orleans Saints
| Player | Carries | Yards | Average | TD | Long |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alvin Kamara | 11 | 26 | 2.4 | 0 | 9 |
| Jamaal Williams | 2 | 9 | 4.5 | 0 | 9 |
| Jake Haener | 2 | 11 | 5.5 | 0 | 9 |
Forty-six total rushing yards. An offense built around Kamara’s versatility couldn’t generate anything on the ground.
Kamara entered the game leading the NFL in scrimmage yards. Kansas City’s defensive front had other plans. Every carry met multiple defenders. No gaps. No space. No chance. He finished with 66 total yards, his worst performance of the season.
The Chiefs have made a habit of this. Derrick Henry, J.K. Dobbins, Bijan Robinson, and Kamara combined for just 135 rushing yards against Kansas City through five weeks. Those same backs averaged 5.7 yards per carry against everyone else. Elite running backs become average against this defense.
Receiving Performance
Kansas City Chiefs
| Player | Pos | Targets | Catches | Yards | TD | Long |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| JuJu Smith-Schuster | WR | 8 | 7 | 130 | 0 | 50 |
| Travis Kelce | TE | 10 | 9 | 70 | 0 | 21 |
| Mecole Hardman | WR | 4 | 4 | 33 | 0 | 15 |
| Noah Gray | TE | 2 | 2 | 29 | 0 | 15 |
| Xavier Worthy | WR | 6 | 3 | 25 | 0 | 18 |
| Samaje Perine | RB | 2 | 1 | 24 | 0 | 15 |
| Kareem Hunt | RB | 1 | 1 | 15 | 0 | 15 |
Smith-Schuster returned from the dead. Sort of. His first 100 yard game since Week 7 of 2022 came at the perfect time. Seven catches. 130 yards. Four receptions went for at least 10 yards.
His biggest play sealed the win. A 50 yard catch in the fourth quarter set up Xavier Worthy’s three yard rushing touchdown. Game over.
Kelce continued his recent hot stretch with nine catches for 70 yards. He’s now caught at least seven passes for 70 yards in back to back games. The tight end also participated in a hook and ladder play in the second quarter, catching a pass and lateraling to Perine for 20 yards total on a crucial third and 21 conversion.
New Orleans Saints
| Player | Pos | Targets | Catches | Yards | TD | Long |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rashid Shaheed | WR | 9 | 4 | 86 | 1 | 43 |
| Alvin Kamara | RB | 8 | 6 | 40 | 0 | 14 |
| Juwan Johnson | TE | 5 | 5 | 31 | 0 | 11 |
| Foster Moreau | TE | 2 | 2 | 13 | 1 | 7 |
| Chris Olave | WR | 4 | 2 | 10 | 0 | 6 |
| Mason Tipton | WR | 4 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 2 |
Shaheed provided the Saints’ only explosion. Four catches, 86 yards, including a 43 yard touchdown that briefly made it a three point game in the second quarter. That was it for big plays.
Chris Olave caught two passes for 10 yards. The Saints’ supposed number one receiver disappeared against Kansas City’s coverage. Receivers averaged just 2.8 yards of target separation according to Next Gen Stats. Kansas City blanketed everyone.
The absence of consistent separation forced Carr into tight window throws all night. Pressure combined with coverage. That combination breaks offenses.
Defensive Statistics
Kansas City Chiefs
| Player | Pos | Tackles | Solo | Sacks | TFL | QB Hits | PD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nick Bolton | LB | 11 | 6 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Jaylen Watson | CB | 5 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Drue Tranquill | LB | 5 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Trent McDuffie | CB | 5 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Justin Reid | S | 4 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Tershawn Wharton | DT | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Bryan Cook | S | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
Chris Jones recorded nine quarterback pressures. His highest total of the season. The interior defender lived in the Saints backfield, collapsing the pocket and forcing rushed throws. George Karlaftis added four pressures, Mike Danna three more, and Drue Tranquill another pair.
Kansas City pressured Derek Carr on 51.7% of his dropbacks. More than half the time Carr dropped back, someone was in his face. No quarterback succeeds under that kind of heat.
Bryan Cook intercepted Carr on the opening drive. The safety jumped the route and returned it to the Kansas City 22, setting up the game’s first scoring drive. That early turnover set the tone. New Orleans spent the rest of the night playing from behind.
New Orleans Saints
| Player | Pos | Tackles | Solo | Sacks | TFL | QB Hits | PD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Demario Davis | LB | 11 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Anfernee Orji | LB | 10 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Johnathan Abram | S | 8 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Khalen Saunders | DT | 7 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Carl Granderson | DE | 7 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Bryan Bresee | DT | 4 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0 |
| Chase Young | DE | 3 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0 |
Khalen Saunders created the game’s most memorable defensive moment. Patrick Mahomes threw toward the end zone in the third quarter. The ball deflected off Smith-Schuster’s hands. Saunders, all 324 pounds of him, caught the deflection and rumbled 37 yards upfield.
He hit 15.79 mph on the return. That’s the third fastest speed by a ball carrier over 320 pounds since tracking began in 2016. For perspective, most offensive linemen run between 12 and 14 mph at their absolute peak. Saunders is quick for a big man.
The Saints defense actually played well in the red zone, holding Kansas City to two touchdowns on seven trips. But the volume killed them. When you’re on the field for 40 minutes, eventually something breaks. Bryan Bresee and Chase Young each recorded a sack, but the Saints pressured Mahomes on just 34.5% of his dropbacks. Not enough heat.
Special Teams Performance
| Team | Kicker | FG Made/Att | Long | XP Made/Att | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kansas City | Harrison Butker | 4/5 | 38 | 2/2 | 14 |
| New Orleans | Blake Grupe | 0/0 | N/A | 1/2 | 1 |
Butker salvaged Kansas City’s red zone struggles. Four field goals from 26, 34, 28, and 38 yards kept points on the board when touchdowns weren’t available. He missed from 51 yards in the third quarter, his only blemish.
Blake Grupe missed an extra point after Foster Moreau’s touchdown in the fourth quarter. That miss prevented New Orleans from pulling within 16 to 14. Instead, they trailed 16 to 13. Small margins matter in close games.
Matthew Hayball punted four times for New Orleans, averaging 49.8 yards per punt with a long of 53. Mecole Hardman returned four punts for Kansas City, averaging 8.0 yards. Nothing spectacular, but field position remained steady.
How Kansas City Seized Control
The Chiefs jumped ahead 7 to 0 on Hunt’s five yard touchdown run. Ten plays. Seventy-eight yards. Methodical execution.
New Orleans responded with Shaheed’s 43 yard touchdown catch after Butker kicked a 26 yard field goal. The score stood 10 to 7. For a moment, the Saints had life.
Then came the sequence that broke New Orleans’ back.
Kansas City faced second and 34 from their own 44 after Carson Steele fumbled and a holding penalty pushed them back. Second and 34. That should kill a drive. Mahomes completed a 13 yard pass to Smith-Schuster. Then he hit Kelce for five yards. Kelce lateraled to Perine, who gained 15 more. First down at the New Orleans 23.
Hunt converted fourth and one on the next set of downs. Butker kicked a 34 yard field goal. Kansas City led 13 to 7 at halftime despite facing second and 34 just minutes earlier.
That possession exemplified Kansas City’s resilience. Nothing comes easy this season. They find ways anyway.
Butker added a 28 yard field goal to make it 16 to 7 in the third quarter. Saunders’ interception gave New Orleans momentum. They drove 65 yards in eight plays. Moreau caught a six yard touchdown. After Grupe’s missed extra point, Kansas City led 16 to 13 early in the fourth quarter.
Smith-Schuster’s 50 yard catch and Worthy’s three yard touchdown run pushed the lead to 23 to 13. Butker’s fourth field goal with 3:03 remaining made it 26 to 13. Game over.
Why the Numbers Matter
Kansas City’s 39:56 to 20:04 advantage in time of possession controlled everything. When you have the ball that long, the opponent’s defense wears down. Their offense sits on the sideline and gets cold. Rhythm disappears.
The Chiefs converted 43% of third downs and went 1 for 1 on fourth down. New Orleans failed both fourth down attempts, including Carr’s final play before the injury. Those conversions sustain drives. Those failures end them.
Chris Jones pressured Carr nine times. That interior pressure is the hardest to avoid. Quarterbacks can step up against edge pressure. Interior pressure collapses the pocket from the middle. Nowhere to go.
New Orleans entered averaging 407.5 total yards per game. They gained 220 against Kansas City. That’s 187 yards below their average. The 46 rushing yards represented a catastrophic failure for an offense designed around Kamara’s ability to attack defenses on the ground and through the air.
Kansas City converted just 29% of red zone trips into touchdowns. That’s terrible efficiency. But they got seven chances because they consistently moved the ball. Six of those seven trips produced points. New Orleans had one red zone opportunity and scored. Perfect efficiency means nothing without volume.
The Chiefs defense has now held opponents under 28 points for 26 consecutive games. That’s the longest active streak in the NFL by 17 seasons. Coordinator Steve Spagnuolo builds game plans that eliminate opponents’ best weapons. Against New Orleans, they took away Kamara and Olave. Mission accomplished.
What This Game Means
Kansas City improved to 5 and 0, their best start since 2018. This 13 point victory marked their largest margin through five weeks. The previous four wins came by a combined 17 points, each decided by seven or fewer. They became one of two undefeated teams heading into the bye week alongside Minnesota.
The Chiefs extended their NFL record to 12 consecutive seasons with at least one five game winning streak. No other franchise in the Super Bowl era has done that for more than seven straight seasons. For more NFL coverage and analysis throughout the season, visit Newzire.
New Orleans dropped to 2 and 3. Three straight losses after opening with dominant wins over Carolina and Dallas where they scored 91 combined points. The offense that averaged 45.5 points in the first two weeks totaled just 13 against Kansas City. The collapse has been stunning.
Carr’s injury created immediate uncertainty. Coach Dennis Allen said the medical staff advised Carr could not continue. The Saints faced Tampa Bay six days later, needing a win to stay relevant in the NFC South race. Without Carr, their chances dimmed significantly.
Kansas City’s offense still needs work in the red zone. But Smith-Schuster’s return as a reliable target and Hunt’s emergence provided hope. Xavier Worthy scored his fourth touchdown in five games. The rookie’s speed creates problems for defenses even when he doesn’t get the ball.
The Chiefs improved their all-time regular season record against New Orleans to 8 and 5, winning three straight in the series. They beat the Saints 32 to 29 in New Orleans in 2020, the last meeting before this game.
Individual Performances That Stood Out
Hunt’s 27 carries just two weeks after signing proved he’s still capable of handling feature back responsibilities. He ran hard between the tackles and broke tackles in the open field. No rust. No hesitation. Just production.
Smith-Schuster bounced back after struggling in New England and barely contributing through Kansas City’s first four games. Four catches went for at least 10 yards. His 50 yard grab was the game’s biggest play. When the Chiefs needed someone to step up with Rice gone, Smith-Schuster delivered.
Bolton has found his form after a slow start. Eleven tackles with seven stops within three yards of the line of scrimmage. He shot gaps aggressively and made plays in the run game. The linebacker position is critical in Spagnuolo’s defense. Bolton’s resurgence matters.
Kamara’s struggles were alarming. New Orleans’ offensive identity depends on getting Kamara the ball in space. Kansas City eliminated that space. When defenses can take away your best player, your offense becomes predictable. Predictable offenses lose in the NFL.
Mahomes managed the game expertly despite not throwing a touchdown. He took what the defense gave him. Avoided costly turnovers aside from the deflected interception. Consistently moved the chains. Sometimes efficiency trumps explosiveness. That approach defined Kansas City’s entire night.
The Bigger Picture
Kansas City’s performance sent a message. Despite losing Rashee Rice the previous week, they adapted and found ways to score. The defense suffocated an offense that had looked unstoppable through two weeks. Special teams provided solid field position and crucial points.
New Orleans faces hard questions. Can Carr return quickly? If not, is Haener ready? How do they fix an offensive line that couldn’t create running lanes? Why has a defense that showed promise collapsed over three straight losses?
The gap between Kansas City’s championship experience and New Orleans’ dependence on two players showed up in every phase. Kansas City controlled the line of scrimmage on both sides, won the turnover battle, executed in crucial moments, and made New Orleans uncomfortable for 60 minutes.
The player stats from this Monday Night Football game showcased a Kansas City team hitting its stride while New Orleans spiraled. Mahomes’ 331 passing yards, Hunt’s 102 rushing yards, and the defense’s dominance created a blueprint for success heading into the second half of the season. The Saints gained just 220 total yards and 14 first downs, continuing a troubling slide with no obvious fix.
