Adam Teicher
Katherine Terrell
Katherine Terrell
ESPN Workers Author
Katherine Terrell got here again to ESPN to cowl the New Orleans Saints in the summertime of 2022. She left the corporate in 2019 after becoming a member of in 2016 to cowl the Cincinnati Bengals. Katherine is a graduate of LSU and a Baton Rouge, Louisiana, native, and she or he has lined the NFL since 2013. You may observe Katherine on Twitter: @Kat_Terrell
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Kansas Metropolis Chiefs soared previous the New Orleans Saints in a 26-13 win on “Monday Evening Soccer.”
Kansas Metropolis entered the competition with questions at extensive receiver, however WR JuJu Smith-Schuster had his greatest sport of the season and completed with seven receptions for 130 yards. In the meantime, the Saints struggled to attain and quarterback Derek Carr exited the sport within the fourth quarter with an indirect harm.
Listed here are keys to know from the sport:
The Chiefs in the end gained a sport by a snug margin. After profitable their final seven video games relationship again to final season’s playoffs by a one-score margin, Kansas Metropolis did not should push to the tip to beat the Saints on Monday night time at Arrowhead Stadium.
As a substitute, the group claimed a 26-13 victory that pushed their report to 5-0. They’ve now had a profitable streak of at the least 5 video games in every of Andy Reid’s 12 seasons as their head coach.
Silver lining: The Chiefs wouldn’t have signed Kareem Hunt had Isiah Pacheco not damaged his leg. However Hunt is now serving to the Chiefs keep afloat in Pacheco’s absence and is taking part in effectively sufficient that he deserves vital taking part in time when Pacheco returns. Having each gamers obtainable would give the Chiefs some good depth. Hunt completed with 102 yards and one landing off 27 carries.
Describe the sport in two phrases: Seeing purple. The Chiefs had been 2-of-6 scoring touchdowns contained in the New Orleans 20. Kansas Metropolis misplaced a landing within the purple zone when Smith-Schuster deflected a move on the purpose line that went for a New Orleans interception.
Most shocking efficiency: Smith-Schuster had simply two catches within the Chiefs’ first 4 video games however he had 5 in opposition to the Saints. Smith-Schuster stuffed the function Rashee Rice had been taking part in earlier than his harm. He picked up plenty of his yards by operating effectively after the catch (82 YAC). However he additionally deflected a move on the purpose line that went for an interception. — Adam Teicher
Subsequent sport: at San Francisco 49ers (4:25 p.m. ET, Oct. 20)
0:58
Joe Buck recounts Khalen Saunders’ Taylor Swift connection moments earlier than wild INT
Joe Buck had simply completed referencing Khalen Saunders’ brother’s connection to Taylor Swift as the massive man picks off Patrick Mahomes in the long run zone.
Carr threw up a deep move to extensive receiver Mason Tipton on fourth down and acquired up slowly after it fell incomplete. He walked off the sphere clutching his hip, was evaluated within the harm tent and went to the locker room on the finish of the fourth quarter with an indirect harm, capping an evening for the Saints that went from unhealthy to worse.
The Saints fell to the Chiefs after coming into Monday night time with a prolonged listing of accidents. They wanted to play an ideal sport to match up with the Chiefs offense. As a substitute, New Orleans fell into an early deficit after Carr threw an unsightly interception six performs into the sport, setting the Chiefs up for his or her first landing.
Though the Saints had some massive moments, comparable to a 43-yard landing move from Carr to wideout Rashid Shaheed, they could not muster the offensive output from their first two weeks, shedding their third sport in a row.
Pivotal play: The massive man decide. Saints defensive deal with Khalen Saunders had quite a lot of family and friends in attendance to see him play his former group, together with his brother Kameron, who’s a backup dancer for Taylor Swift. The strikes clearly run in household, as Saunders caught a one-handed interception in the long run zone and ran it again 37 yards within the third quarter.
Troubling development: Cornerback Paulson Adebo’s penalties. Adebo had a late-game move interference penalty in opposition to the Falcons final week that led to a game-winning area purpose. He had one other troubling late PI flag in opposition to the Chiefs that nearly led to a landing late within the third quarter. Adebo’s seven penalties are tied for fourth-most within the league.
Greatest gap within the sport plan: The Saints could not run the ball effectively behind an injury-hampered offensive line. The Saints offense has labored greatest this season after they’re capable of run the ball at will. They weren’t in a position to do this with any consistency in opposition to the Chiefs, relying as an alternative closely on low proportion deep passes to attempt to transfer the ball. Carr tried 9 passes with 15-plus air yards tonight. He’s 2-of-9 for 64 yards with an interception and a landing on these performs.
QB Breakdown: Carr was up and down till he left along with his harm, ending 18-of-28 for 165 yards, a landing and an interception. Jake Haener entered the sport in his absence for his first true snaps this season, ending 2-of-7 for 17 yards — Katherine Terrell
Subsequent sport: vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1:00 p.m. ET, Sunday)
