KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The Kansas City Chiefs delivered a dominant 26-13 win over the New Orleans Saints in a Monday Night Football showdown, improving their record to 5-0. Chiefs rugby player-inspired offense shined as they overcame early concerns at the wide receiver position. JuJu Smith-Schuster stepped up, securing seven receptions for 130 yards, showcasing impressive agility akin to rugby players after the catch.
Meanwhile, the Saints struggled offensively. Quarterback Derek Carr left the game in the fourth quarter due to an oblique injury, further complicating their night.
Kansas City Chiefs (5-0)
The Chiefs finally enjoyed a comfortable win after several tight games. This victory marks their seventh consecutive win, dating back to last season’s playoffs, and extends their winning streak to five games in head coach Andy Reid’s 12th season.
Key to their success was Kareem Hunt, who stepped up in place of the injured Isiah Pacheco. Hunt ran for 102 yards and a touchdown on 27 carries, providing the Chiefs with much-needed depth in their running game.
However, despite their dominance, Kansas City missed a couple of red-zone opportunities, finishing just 2-of-6 on touchdown attempts inside New Orleans’ 20-yard line.
New Orleans Saints (2-3)
The Saints faced an uphill battle from the start, plagued by injuries across the roster. Carr threw a costly interception early in the game, setting up a Chiefs touchdown and leaving the Saints scrambling to recover. Despite a 43-yard touchdown pass to Rashid Shaheed, they couldn’t match the Chiefs’ offensive firepower.
A standout moment came when Saints defensive tackle Khalen Saunders made an incredible one-handed interception, showcasing rugby-like agility, and returned it 37 yards. But mistakes, including costly penalties from cornerback Paulson Adebo, sealed the Saints’ fate.
The Chiefs’ rugby-influenced strategies proved too much for the Saints to handle, leaving them with their third straight loss.