Saints vs Chiefs: MNF Week 5 Highlights & Key Moments

The highly anticipated Monday Night Football matchup between the New Orleans Saints and Kansas City Chiefs lived up to its billing. The Saints, eager to bounce back from rough weeks, went head-to-head with the undefeated Chiefs at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Fans were on the edge of their seats as two teams with contrasting fortunes entered Week 5 of the NFL season.

Chiefs’ 2024 Season So Far

The Kansas City Chiefs entered this Week 5 matchup boasting a perfect 4-0 record. However, their wins this season haven’t been challenging. Despite their undefeated status, the Chiefs haven’t yet looked as sharp as NFL fans are used to seeing. The explosive plays and seamless offence led by quarterback Patrick Mahomes have been somewhat inconsistent.

Patrick Mahomes, widely regarded as one of the best quarterbacks in the league, has had a rocky start to the season by his standards. The usual magic of the Chiefs’ offence has yet to be as evident in these first few games, with some questioning if the team is performing at full strength. Injuries have played a part in slowing down their offensive rhythm, but Mahomes and his teammates have still found ways to win, which is the mark of a great team.

In the game against the Saints, fans watched closely to see if Mahomes could regain his top form and lead the Chiefs to another victory, especially facing a tough Saints defence.

Saints’ Roller Coaster Start

The New Orleans Saints entered this game with a record of 2-2. Their start to the 2024 season was quite the roller coaster. The Saints stormed out of the gates with dominant victories over the Carolina Panthers and Dallas Cowboys, leading some to believe they could be one of the top teams in the NFC. However, the past two weeks have seen the Saints come crashing back to Earth with back-to-back losses.

One of the bright spots for the Saints has been their defence, which ranks among the best in the league. New Orleans’ defence has kept them competitive, even when the offence has struggled to put points on the board. But, with two losses in the rearview mirror, the Saints were determined to turn things around on the road against one of the toughest teams in the NFL.

First Half: Saints Take the Lead

The game started with both teams feeling each other in the early stages. The Saints’ defence wasted no time showing why they’re considered one of the best, as they pressured Mahomes and forced a quick three-and-out on the Chiefs’ first drive.

New Orleans’ offence, led by quarterback Derek Carr, capitalized on their first possession. The Saints quickly moved the ball down the field, mixing short passes and hard runs to keep the Chiefs’ defence guessing. Alvin Kamara ran back, using his speed and agility to pick up key yardage. The Saints marched into the red zone and capped off their opening drive with a touchdown, courtesy of a short pass from Carr to wide receiver Chris Olave. With that, the Saints took an early 7-0 lead.

The Chiefs’ offence, on the other hand, continued to struggle in the first quarter. Mahomes was under pressure from the Saints’ defensive front, and the timing between him and his receivers was off. Even though Kansas City had some success moving the ball, they could not finish drives with points, leading to a couple of missed opportunities.

However, Mahomes and the Chiefs didn’t stay quiet for long. Laa, during the second quarter, began to find their groove. Mahomes connected on several deep passes, including a spectacular throw to wide receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling, which set the Chiefs up in scoring position. They finished the drive with a touchdown pass to tight end Travis Kelce, tying the game at 7-7 as the first half ended.

Second Half: Chiefs Battle Back

As the second half began, it was clear that both teams were ready for a fight. The Saints continued to lean on their defence to keep Mahomes in check while their offence sought to exploit the Chiefs’ defence. New Orleans struck first in the third quarter, with Derek Carr leading another efficient drive that ended with a field goal. The Saints regained the lead, 10-7.

The Chiefs responded quickly, though. Mahomes looked more comfortable in the pocket as he found his rhythm. After several short completions, Mahomes unleashed a long pass down the field to wide receiver Kadarius Toney, who made an impressive catch to put the Chiefs in the red zone once again. Running back Isiah Pacheco then finished the drive with a powerful run up the middle for a touchdown, giving Kansas City their first game lead, 14-10.

The momentum had shifted, and the Chiefs’ defence also started to step up. Kansas City’s defensive line put pressure on Derek Carr, forcing him into hurried throws and limiting the Saints’ ability to move the ball effectively. This was the point in the game where the Chiefs’ championship pedigree started to shine through.

Fourth Quarter: Chiefs Seal the Win

Entering the fourth quarter, the Saints were down by four points but still very much in the game. New Orleans’ defence kept them within striking distance by holding the Chiefs to just a field goal early in the quarter, pushing the score to 17-10.

With time running out, Derek Carr and the Saints’ offence needed a big drive to tie the game. The Saints moved the ball into Kansas City territory with a mix of passes to Michael Thomas and runs by Alvin Kamara. But just as it looked like the Saints were going to tie the game, Chiefs safety Justin Reid made a crucial interception, ending the Saints’ hopes of completing the comeback.

Mahomes and the Chiefs’ offence then went into clock management mode, running the ball effectively and draining the clock. The Saints’ defence did everything possible to give their offence one last chance, but it wasn’t enough. The Chiefs added another field goal late in the game, extending their lead to 20-10.

Ultimately, the Chiefs walked away with their fifth consecutive victory, improving to 5-0 on the season, while the Saints dropped to 2-3.

Key Takeaways from the Game

Chiefs Still Finding Ways to Win

Despite their early-season struggles, Kansas City continues to find ways to win. Patrick Mahomes may not be playing his best football, but the Chiefs are still dangerous. Their ability to win close games against tough defences like New Orleans’ is a testament to their resilience.

The Saints’ Defense is Elite

Even in defeat, the New Orleans Saints defence deserves credit. They made life difficult for Mahomes and kept their team in the game until the end. If the Saints’ offence can start clicking consistently, New Orleans could still make a push for the playoffs.

Derek Carr Needs More Help

Derek Carr had a solid performance, but it wasn’t enough. The Saints need to find more offensive consistency if they want to compete with the top teams in the NFL. Improving the offensive line and getting more production from their wide receivers would go a long way.

Chiefs’ Championship Pedigree Shines Through

The Chiefs showed why they’re among the favourites to win the Super Bowl this season. They find ways to come out on top even when they’re not at their best. That’s the hallmark of a championship team.

The Chiefs continued winning with a hard-fought victory over the Saints on Monday Night Football. Kansas City’s defence stepped up when it mattered most, and Patrick Mahomes made the key plays down the stretch to secure the win. Meanwhile, the Saints showed flashes of brilliance, particularly on defence, but their offensive struggles ultimately cost them.

As Week 5 comes to a close, the Chiefs remain one of the top teams in the league, while the Saints look to regroup and find their rhythm in the coming weeks.