New Orleans Saints vs Kansas City Chiefs Match Player Stats: Full Game Breakdown and Top Performer Analysis
Introduction
The New Orleans Saints and Kansas City Chiefs met in a high-energy, hard-fought NFL clash that lived up to the hype. Both teams came in with high expectations. The Saints wanted to prove they could hang with the league’s best, while the Chiefs looked to continue their competitive dominance. The final score mattered, but if you really want to understand the game, you have to look at the New Orleans Saints vs Kansas City Chiefs match player stats.
Stats show what your eyes sometimes miss. A player may not score but can still change momentum with one defensive stop or a big gain. These match player stats tell the full story—who stepped up, what plays changed the game, and how each unit performed.
In this detailed breakdown, we’ll dive into every part of the New Orleans Saints vs Kansas City Chiefs match player stats. From quarterback duels and rushing yards to red zone play and third-down execution, we cover it all. If you want to know who really made an impact, this is the article for you.
Let’s get started.
First Quarter Recap: Fast Start for the Chiefs
The game began with a bang. Patrick Mahomes led Kansas City on a crisp 75-yard drive in just under four minutes. He was 5 for 5, ending the drive with a 12-yard touchdown pass to Travis Kelce.
The Saints tried to respond quickly. Derek Carr completed several short throws to Chris Olave and Michael Thomas, but the drive stalled near midfield. A missed 51-yard field goal ended the Saints’ opening drive.
According to the New Orleans Saints vs Kansas City Chiefs match player stats, the Chiefs had more than 100 offensive yards in the first quarter, while the Saints totaled 64. Kansas City also had six first downs compared to New Orleans’ two during the opening frame. The Chiefs clearly had the early advantage in both tempo and field position.
Quarterback Comparison: Mahomes and Carr Duel It Out
Patrick Mahomes played like the MVP he is. He completed 24 of 32 passes for 289 yards and 3 touchdowns with no interceptions. His accuracy, footwork, and decision-making were top-tier. He adjusted under pressure and hit tight windows with ease.
Derek Carr started off slowly. He finished with 261 yards on 22-of-34 passing, 2 touchdowns, and 1 interception. That interception happened during a critical red zone trip and allowed the Chiefs to hold onto momentum.
Looking at the New Orleans Saints vs Kansas City Chiefs match player stats, Mahomes had a slight edge in efficiency and big-play ability. Carr did bounce back in the second half, but the early struggles set the Saints back.
Running Game Breakdown: Kamara and Pacheco Lead the Way
Isiah Pacheco was tough to stop. The Chiefs running back logged 97 rushing yards on 17 carries and added 1 touchdown. Many of his runs came during key second-half drives to chew up the clock and move the chains.
Alvin Kamara had a strong showing as well for the Saints. He ran for 85 yards on 14 carries and caught another 5 passes for 36 receiving yards. He didn’t find the end zone but provided balance to the Saints’ offense.
The New Orleans Saints vs Kansas City Chiefs match player stats show that both teams used their backs effectively. Pacheco had slightly better field vision and power, while Kamara displayed more versatility as a pass catcher.
Receiving Highlights: Kelce, Olave, and the Big Catchers
Travis Kelce was unguardable in this game. He caught 9 passes for 112 yards and scored twice. Whether it was zone defense or man coverage, Mahomes always found Kelce in the right place at the right time.
Chris Olave led the Saints with 6 receptions for 98 yards. His speed and route running gave the Kansas City secondary trouble all night. Michael Thomas caught 4 passes for 44 yards but never gained much traction against tight coverage.
The New Orleans Saints vs Kansas City Chiefs match player stats agree that Kelce and Olave made the biggest receiving impacts. Other key players included Skyy Moore and Rashid Shaheed, each contributing important third-down conversions.
Red Zone Efficiency: One Team Finishes, One Team Stalls
Red zone production is one of the biggest differences in wins and losses. The New Orleans Saints vs Kansas City Chiefs match player stats show the Chiefs went 4-for-5 in the red zone, scoring touchdowns on four possessions and kicking one short field goal.
The Saints entered the red zone four times but scored just twice. A stalled drive led to a field goal, and a crucial interception at the 10-yard line prevented Carr from adding more points before halftime.
The Chiefs made the most of their chances, and that red zone success directly led to their win. The Saints moved the ball well but didn’t capitalize when it mattered most.
Third Down Execution: Key Conversions Make the Difference
Every NFL coach emphasizes third down, and in this game, it truly mattered. Kansas City converted 7 of 11 third-down attempts. Mahomes picked up multiple first downs with short throws and even scrambled for one key conversion.
New Orleans struggled on third downs, going just 4-of-12. Several of those failed attempts came from third-and-long situations due to penalties or sacks.
Based on the New Orleans Saints vs Kansas City Chiefs match player stats, this gap gave the Chiefs more time on the field and tired out the Saints’ defense. Converting more third downs helped Kansas City build a lead the Saints could never recover from.
Defensive Standouts: Who Made the Stops
Kansas City’s defense deserves credit. Linebacker Nick Bolton recorded 11 tackles and 1 sack. Safety Justin Reid had an interception and broke up two deep passes to Olave. Chris Jones added a sack and pressured Carr on several third downs.
New Orleans wasn’t without bright spots. Demario Davis had 9 tackles and led multiple efforts to stop Pacheco in the run game. Cameron Jordan made noise in the backfield with one sack and two tackles for loss.
While both teams had strong defensive performances, the New Orleans Saints vs Kansas City Chiefs match player stats show that Kansas City finished more “impact plays” that changed drives and decisions.
Special Teams Impact: Solid Kicking, Missed Moments
Special teams may not always steal the spotlight, but they shaped the flow in this game. Harrison Butker was perfect on the night, making two field goals and all extra points.
New Orleans missed one 51-yard kick early and had another blocked in the third quarter. That miss directly cost them a chance to cut the lead and gain momentum.
Punt returns and field position were mostly neutral, but small mistakes on special teams gave Kansas City better chances to win the field position battle. The New Orleans Saints vs Kansas City Chiefs match player stats show this as a quiet yet key advantage for the Chiefs.
Time of Possession: Clock Control Starts Up Front
Kansas City had the ball for 32 minutes while New Orleans controlled it for only 28. That four-minute gap came mostly from successful third-down conversions and late-game clock management.
Pacheco’s running and the Chiefs’ ability to keep the chains moving ensured their defense stayed rested. New Orleans had quicker drives, which kept their defense on the field longer and wore them down.
Time of possession is often underrated, but the New Orleans Saints vs Kansas City Chiefs match player stats prove it can be the difference in a closely played contest.
Key Drives That Defined the Game
Kansas City’s second-quarter drive that lasted 12 plays and 83 yards stood out. Mahomes converted two third downs and finished with a touchdown to Kelce. That drive put KC up 14–3 and changed the tone.
New Orleans put together a strong 75-yard drive in the second half, capped by a touchdown from Carr to Olave. However, on their next drive, a strip sack of Carr took away another scoring chance.
These turning-point moments, as seen in New Orleans Saints vs Kansas City Chiefs match player stats, were the heartbeat of the game. One team finished while the other came up short.
Full Game Stat Recap
Final Score: Chiefs 31, Saints 20
Total Yards: Chiefs 412, Saints 354
Passing Yards: Mahomes 289, Carr 261
Rushing Yards: Chiefs 123, Saints 93
Top Receiver: Kelce 112 yards, Olave 98 yards
Red Zone: Chiefs 4/5, Saints 2/4
Third Down Conversion: Chiefs 7/11, Saints 4/12
Turnovers: Saints 1 (Interception), Chiefs 0
Time of Possession: Chiefs 32:03, Saints 27:57
FAQs
1. Who had more total offense, the Saints or Chiefs?
The Chiefs led with 412 total yards compared to the Saints’ 354.
2. How many touchdowns did Mahomes throw?
Patrick Mahomes threw 3 touchdowns and no interceptions.
3. Did Alvin Kamara score a touchdown?
No, Kamara had solid yardage but didn’t reach the end zone in this game.
4. Who was the top defensive player for the Saints?
Demario Davis led in tackles and made multiple key stops on run plays.
5. What was the main difference in the red zone?
The Chiefs finished four of five red zone trips with touchdowns; the Saints only scored on two of four.
6. How many third downs did each team convert?
Kansas City converted 7 of 11. New Orleans only converted 4 of 12.
Conclusion
The New Orleans Saints vs Kansas City Chiefs match player stats explain much more than the final score could. The Chiefs played balanced, disciplined football with consistent success in the red zone and smart clock control. Mahomes played like an MVP. Kelce dominated. Pacheco ran hard. And the defense created just enough chaos to frustrate Carr and the Saints offense.
Meanwhile, New Orleans showed grit and flashes of strong play, especially from players like Kamara and Olave. But penalties, missed kicks, and poor red zone finishing ultimately held them back.
Football is a game of moments. And in this one, the stats say Kansas City made the most of theirs.
