The New Orleans Saints vs Kansas City Chiefs Match Player Stats on October 7, 2024, was a thrilling “Monday Night Football” showdown at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. With the Chiefs entering the game undefeated at 4-0 and the Saints struggling to rebound from two consecutive losses, this Week 5 clash was a true test of both teams’ mettle. The final score of 26-13 in favor of Kansas City showcased their ability to dominate, even with injuries plaguing their roster. In this article, we’ll dive deep into the player stats, key performances, and what made this game a memorable chapter in the Saints vs Chiefs rivalry. Whether you’re a die-hard NFL fan or just curious about the numbers, this breakdown is designed to be clear, engaging, and easy to follow for readers of all ages.
Game Overview: Chiefs Dominate, Saints Struggle
The New Orleans Saints vs Kansas City Chiefs Match Player Stats, who fell to 2-3. Despite the Saints’ early promise in the 2024 season, where they racked up 91 points in their first two games, their offense couldn’t find its rhythm against a stout Chiefs defense led by coordinator Steve Spagnuolo. Kansas City’s offense, while not at its explosive best, leaned on key veterans like Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce, and the returning Kareem Hunt to secure the win. The Saints, meanwhile, were hampered by injuries, including a late-game oblique injury to quarterback Derek Carr, which forced rookie Jake Haener to step in.
This game was defined by Kansas City’s control of the clock—they held the ball for nearly 40 minutes compared to New Orleans’ 20 minutes—and their ability to capitalize on the Saints’ mistakes. Let’s break down the standout player performances and key stats that shaped this matchup.
Key Player Stats: Kansas City Chiefs
Patrick Mahomes (QB)
Patrick Mahomes, the Chiefs’ superstar quarterback, didn’t have his flashiest game, but he still delivered a solid performance. He completed 28 of 39 passes for 331 yards, with no touchdowns and one interception. His interception came in the red zone, where a pass deflected off JuJu Smith-Schuster’s hands and was picked off by Saints defensive tackle Khalen Saunders. Despite this miscue, Mahomes showed why he’s one of the NFL’s best, extending plays and connecting with a variety ʽweb:4⁊ʽweb:6⁊.
Mahomes’ ability to manage the game was evident in his 68% completion rate, even without top receivers Rashee Rice and Hollywood Brown, who were sidelined by injuries. His 50-yard pass to JuJu Smith-Schuster in the fourth quarter set up a crucial touchdown by rookie Xavier Worthy, helping to seal the game. Mahomes’ poise under pressure, especially against the Saints’ blitz-heavy approach, was a key factor in Kansas City’s dominance.
Kareem Hunt (RB)
Kareem Hunt, back with the Chiefs after a stint away, proved he’s still a force to be reckoned with. He carried the ball 27 times for 102 yards and scored a 5-yard rushing touchdown in the first quarter, his first of the season. Hunt’s return to Arrowhead Stadium was emotional, as he celebrated his touchdown with a heart gesture to the fans. His 102 yards marked his ninth career 100-yard rushing game and the first for a Chiefs player since Isiah Pacheco’s performance against the Bengals in December 2023 ʽweb:5⁊ʽweb:19⁊.
Hunt’s workhorse performance was critical, especially with Pacheco out due to a leg injury. His ability to grind out yards and control the clock helped the Chiefs dominate time of possession, wearing down the Saints’ defense.
Travis Kelce (TE)
Tight end Travis Kelce was Patrick Mahomes’ go-to target, hauling in nine catches for 70 yards. While he didn’t find the end zone, Kelce’s impact was felt throughout the game. His highlight-reel moment came in the second quarter when he lateraled the ball to Samaje Perine on a third-and-long, helping the Chiefs convert a crucial fourth-down play that led to a field goal. Kelce’s 16 receptions for 159 yards over the past two weeks show he’s regaining his elite form after a slow start to the season ʽweb:7⁊ʽweb:11⁊.
With injuries to key receivers, Kelce served as Mahomes’ security blanket, especially in the first quarter when Mahomes didn’t target a single wide receiver. His reliability and playmaking ability were vital in keeping drives alive.
JuJu Smith-Schuster (WR)
JuJu Smith-Schuster stepped up big time in the absence of Rice and Brown, recording seven receptions for 130 yards, including a 50-yard catch that set up a touchdown. His performance was a career-best for the season, though it was marred by the red-zone interception off his hands. Smith-Schuster’s 82 yards after the catch (YAC) highlighted his ability to turn short passes into big gains, filling the void left by injured teammates ʽweb:24⁊.
Xavier Worthy (WR)
Rookie Xavier Worthy made his mark with a 3-yard rushing touchdown in the fourth quarter, which extended the Chiefs’ lead to 23-13 and effectively put the game out of reach. While his receiving stats were modest (three catches for 25 yards), his speed and versatility added a new dimension to Kansas City’s offense ʽweb:14⁊.
Harrison Butker (K)
Kicker Harrison Butker was a difference-maker, converting three of four field goal attempts, including a 26-yard and a 38-yard kick. His lone miss was a 51-yarder in the third quarter. Butker’s reliability was crucial, as the Chiefs struggled to convert red-zone opportunities into touchdowns, going 2-for-6 inside the Saints’ 20-yard line ʽweb:14⁊ʽweb:19⁊.
Key Player Stats: New Orleans Saints
Derek Carr (QB)
Saints quarterback Derek Carr had a tough night before exiting with an oblique injury in the fourth quarter. He completed 18 of 24 passes for 165 yards, throwing two touchdowns and one interception. His 43-yard touchdown pass to Rashid Shaheed in the second quarter and a 6-yard touchdown to Foster Moreau in the fourth kept the Saints in the game, but his early interception on the opening drive set a challenging tone. Carr’s injury, sustained after a hit by Chiefs defensive back Chamarri Conner on a fourth-down incompletion, forced him out with about 9.5 minutes left, leaving rookie Jake Haener to finish the game ʽweb:4⁊ʽweb:11⁊.
Carr’s performance was hindered by a lack of offensive rhythm and constant pressure from Kansas City’s defense, which blitzed 14 times. His 89.1 passer rating reflected a night where the Saints’ offense couldn’t find consistency ʽweb:5⁊.
Jake Haener (QB)
Rookie Jake Haener, who replaced Carr, struggled in his limited action, completing 2 of 7 passes for 17 yards. His fourth-down incompletion to Chris Olave late in the game sealed the Saints’ fate. Despite his college pedigree at Fresno State, where he broke Carr’s career completion percentage record, Haener couldn’t spark a comeback against a relentless Chiefs defense ʽweb:7⁊.
Alvin Kamara (RB)
Running back Alvin Kamara was stifled by Kansas City’s front, managing just 26 yards on 11 carries, averaging a meager 2.4 yards per rush. However, he contributed 40 yards on six receptions, salvaging his fantasy football value in PPR leagues. Kamara’s inability to get going on the ground was a major factor in the Saints’ offensive struggles, as they failed to establish a balanced attack ʽweb:7⁊.
Rashid Shaheed (WR)
Wide receiver Rashid Shaheed was a bright spot for New Orleans, catching four passes for 86 yards, including a 43-yard touchdown in the second quarter. His speed stretched the Chiefs’ defense, but the Saints couldn’t capitalize on his big-play ability consistently. Shaheed’s three touchdowns on the season highlight his growing role as a deep threat ʽweb:5⁊ʽweb:19⁊.
Foster Moreau (TE)
Tight end Foster Moreau scored the Saints’ second touchdown, hauling in a 6-yard pass from Carr in the fourth quarter. His two receptions for 13 yards were modest, but the touchdown briefly brought the Saints within three points at 16-13 before Kansas City pulled away ʽweb:14⁊.
Khalen Saunders (DT)
Defensive tackle Khalen Saunders, a former Chief, made a memorable play against his old team. The 324-pound lineman intercepted a Mahomes pass in the red zone, returning it 37 yards at a top speed of 15.79 mph—one of the fastest recorded speeds by a player over 320 pounds since 2016. This interception prevented a Chiefs touchdown and set up the Saints’ second score, keeping them in the game temporarily ʽweb:9⁊ʽweb:13⁊.
Bryan Bresee (DT) and Chase Young (DE)
The Saints’ defense recorded two sacks, one by defensive tackle Bryan Bresee and one by defensive end Chase Young. While these plays disrupted Mahomes at times, they weren’t enough to slow down Kansas City’s offense, which racked up 460 total yards ʽweb:5⁊ʽweb:9⁊.
Team New Orleans Saints vs Kansas City Chiefs Match Player Stats Comparison
|
Category |
Chiefs |
Saints |
|---|---|---|
|
Total Yards |
460 | 230 |
|
Passing Yards |
331 | 165 |
|
Rushing Yards |
129 | 65 |
|
Time of Possession |
39:56 | 20:04 |
|
Third-Down Conversions |
3/7 (42.9%) | 3/7 (42.9%) |
|
Fourth-Down Conversions |
4/4 (100%) | 1/4 (25%) |
|
Turnovers |
1 | 1 |
|
Red-Zone Efficiency |
2/6 (33.3%) | 1/1 (100%) |
The Chiefs’ dominance in total yards and time of possession was a major storyline. Their 81 plays compared to the Saints’ 50 allowed them to control the game’s tempo. However, their red-zone struggles (2-for-6) kept the game closer than it might have been. The Saints, despite a perfect red-zone touchdown rate, couldn’t generate enough drives to keep pace ʽweb:7⁊ʽweb:16⁊.
Key Moments That Shaped the Game
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Early Interception by Derek Carr: The Saints’ opening drive ended with an interception by Chiefs safety Bryan Cook, setting up a 78-yard drive capped by Kareem Hunt’s touchdown. This early mistake put New Orleans in a hole they couldn’t climb out of ʽweb:14⁊.
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Khalen Saunders’ Interception: In the third quarter, Saunders’ one-handed pick in the end zone halted a Chiefs scoring threat and led to a Saints touchdown, making it a 16-13 game. This was one of the few defensive highlights for New Orleans ʽweb:9⁊.
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Travis Kelce’s Lateral: On a second-and-34 in the second quarter, Kelce’s lateral to Samaje Perine gained crucial yards, setting up a fourth-down conversion and a field goal. This creative play showcased the Chiefs’ ability to improvise under pressure ʽweb:4⁊.
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Xavier Worthy’s Touchdown: Worthy’s 3-yard rushing touchdown in the fourth quarter extended the Chiefs’ lead to 10 points, effectively ending the Saints’ comeback hopes. It was a pivotal moment that highlighted Kansas City’s depth despite injuries ʽweb:14⁊.
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Derek Carr’s Injury: Carr’s oblique injury in the fourth quarter forced him out, and Jake Haener’s inability to move the offense sealed the Saints’ fate. This injury raised concerns about New Orleans’ quarterback situation moving forward ʽweb:4⁊.
Saints vs Chiefs Historical Context
The Chiefs and Saints have met 13 times since 1972, with Kansas City holding a 7-6 edge. Their matchups are often close, with the last five games showing competitive scorelines. The 2024 game was less of a nail-biter than past encounters, as the Chiefs’ time-of-possession dominance and defensive pressure overwhelmed the Saints. Historically, these cross-conference clashes have carried playoff implications, and this game was no exception, with Kansas City solidifying their AFC West lead and New Orleans slipping in the NFC South race ʽweb:8⁊ʽweb:20⁊.
What’s Next for New Orleans Saints vs Kansas City Chiefs Match Player Stats Both Teams?
The Chiefs (5-0) head into a Week 6 bye before facing the San Francisco 49ers on October 20, 2024. Their ability to win despite offensive injuries bodes well for their Super Bowl aspirations, but improving red-zone efficiency will be a focus. The Saints (2-3) face the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at home, hoping to snap a three-game losing streak. Carr’s injury status will be critical, as New Orleans needs their quarterback to regain the form he showed in Weeks 1 and 2 ʽweb:6⁊ʽweb:11⁊.
Why This Game Matters for Fans
For Chiefs fans, this game was a testament to the team’s resilience. Despite missing key players, Kansas City leaned on veterans like Mahomes, Kelce, and Hunt to stay undefeated. The electric atmosphere at Arrowhead, with fans chanting for the Royals’ simultaneous playoff win, added to the night’s magic. For Saints fans, the loss was frustrating, but players like Rashid Shaheed and Khalen Saunders showed flashes of brilliance that offer hope for a rebound.
Conclusion
The New Orleans Saints vs Kansas City Chiefs Match Player Stats on October 7, 2024, was a tale of two teams heading in different directions. The Chiefs’ balanced attack, led by Patrick Mahomes’ 331 passing yards, Kareem Hunt’s 102 rushing yards, and Travis Kelce’s nine catches, overwhelmed a Saints team that struggled offensively and lost Derek Carr to injury. Key moments like Saunders’ interception and Worthy’s touchdown defined the game, while the Chiefs’ time-of-possession dominance ensured their 26-13 victory. Whether you’re a casual fan or a stats nerd, this game offered plenty of drama and standout performances to dissect. Stay tuned for more NFL action as both teams look to build on this game’s lessons in Week 6!