Sean Payton won’t admit it to the media, but his New Orleans Saints show Super Bowl potential. In Week 14 the Saints took on the reigning Super Bowl champions who were on a 10 game road winning streak. Payton’s team was desperate to remain in the hunt for the sole first-round bye in the NFC. The Kansas City Chiefs jumped out to an early 14-0 lead, stifled Drew Brees early on his return to the lineup and managed to grind out a 32 – 29 victory. However, despite the loss, the New Orleans Saints Super Bowl potential was on display, even in a loss.
New Orleans Saints Super Bowl Potential on Display in Loss To Kansas City Chiefs
Drew Brees Shaky Return To Action
Returning from four weeks out of the lineup, Saints quarterback Drew Brees struggled early on against the Chiefs. After going three and out on their first drive Brees threw an interception to Chiefs cornerback L’Jarius Sneed. The interception setup Patrick Mahomes and the most electric offense in the league at the New Orleans 33-yard line. Mahomes and company capitalized, and the Chiefs took a first-quarter touchdown lead.
Brees’ struggles continued as another three and out followed. Within the blink of an eye, the Chiefs were up 14-0. The Saints franchise quarterback looked hesitant on throws. Having missed four weeks with broken ribs, a level of rustiness was expected. However, New Orleans decision to turn straight back to Brees so quickly suddenly looked questionable.
Down 14-0, Brees then had some moments which helped keep New Orleans alive. A deep pass to Emmanuel Sanders gave the offense the shot in the arm it needed. Sanders beat Tyrann Mathieu down the sideline and rumbled for a 51-yard reception that later turned into a one-yard touchdown run for Taysom Hill.
Brees came to life and found more of a rhythm in the second half. The Saints even had a 15-14 lead early in the third quarter. But it wasn’t enough for Brees and the Saints to get a win over the Super Bowl favorites. Despite Brees’ slow start and mistakes, the New Orleans quarterback threw three second-half touchdown passes and showcased his veteran instincts on several impressive throws to keep his team in the game.
Saints Showed Blueprint To Contain Patrick Mahomes
New Orleans held the lead for only five minutes on the game clock. The defense wilted from the Chiefs half time adjustments, giving up a 75-yard touchdown drive the very next possession to hand Kansas City the lead right back.
However, when Sean Payton and Dennis Allen look at the game tape, they should be happy with the way their defense performed. The defense forced the vaunted Kansas City offense to punt on six possessions and pressured Mahomes as well as anyone has throughout his incredible three seasons as the Chiefs starting quarterback.
Trey Hendrickson’s sack and forced fumble of Mahomes in the fourth quarter gave the Saints life when New Orleans was down 14 points. A touchdown off of a turnover left New Orleans needing one stop and a touchdown to tie the game. A comeback was within reach.
The defense came up short late as Mahomes led a field goal drive to effectively ice the game. However, ignoring the opening Chiefs touchdown that came on a short field, the Saints defense held Kansas City to 25 points. Brees, Payton and Saints fans will take that most weeks and trust the offense to make fewer mistakes. Turnovers will be key in a potential Super Bowl rematch.
New Orleans Played All Three Phases Effectively
The NFL is a results based business. Wins and losses matter and Sean Payton will not praise his team in front of the media for losing. That being said, there were many positives for the Saints and their fans to take away from this game.
Brees looked rusty for a lot of the game and yet New Orleans came up only three points short. The defense sacked Mahomes three times and on several drives confused the talented quarterback with a mixture of coverages. Mahomes threw the ball 47 times in the game, and had 26 completions. New Orleans forced long drives out of the Chiefs, and rarely allowed an easy completion.
Overall, the Saints defense faced an incredible 88 plays against the most explosive offense in the NFL. The Chiefs are sixth in the average number of plays per game at 67.2, while the Los Angeles Chargers lead the league with 71.6. New Orleans held the Chiefs to 32 points despite running nearly 40 plays (51) less on offense, and with the defense facing 20 more plays than usual.
The number of plays alone suggests a blowout victory for the Chiefs. However, New Orleans is a complete team with the ability to operate at a high level in all three phases of the game.
Last Word
Despite a shaky start, Brees showed why he should start over Taysom Hill as he was surgical in his passing on the team’s four touchdown drives. The defense contained Kansas City by generating consistent pressure on Mahomes. The special teams unit even forced a turnover late in the second half. A fumble on a punt return by Demarcus Robinson ended in a safety for the Saints that really should have been a touchdown. The New Orleans’ coverage team knocked the ball out the back of the end zone even though it looked like it should have been an easy recovery for a touchdown.
Some analysts will argue the Saints were lucky to still be in the game. The fact is, New Orleans played to an elite level on offense, defense and special teams. They simply failed to maintain that level at all three phases for four quarters.
New Orleans showed their ability. If they are to win the Super Bowl in Tampa come February, they need to show consistency.
Main Photo
