Patrick Mahomes Outduels Drew Brees as Chiefs Hold off Saints to Improve to 13-1 | Bleacher Report

Brett Duke/Related Press

The NFC South stays up for grabs after the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs defeated the New Orleans Saints 32-29 on Sunday at Mercedes-Benz Superdome.

With the Tampa Bay Buccaneers erasing a 17-point deficit in opposition to the Atlanta Falcons earlier within the day, the Saints wanted to win in an effort to clinch a division title. As an alternative, New Orleans’ lead on Tampa Bay is now only one sport with two weeks remaining.

The Chiefs, in the meantime, inched slightly nearer towards securing the No. 1 seed within the AFC.

Kansas Metropolis jumped forward 14-0 within the second quarter earlier than permitting 15 unanswered factors. Patrick Mahomes put his staff again into the lead within the third quarter with a five-yard landing cross to Mecole Hardman into the again nook of the top zone.

A pair of touchdown passes by Drew Brees made issues fascinating, however a 22-yard subject purpose by Harrison Butker proved to be the distinction.

Notable Performers

Patrick Mahomes, QB, Chiefs: 26-of-47, 254 yards, three touchdowns; seven carries, 37 yards

Clyde Edwards-Helaire, RB, Chiefs: 14 carries, 79 yards; one reception, 4 yards

Travis Kelce, TE, Chiefs: eight receptions, 68 yards, one landing

Drew Brees, QB, Saints: 15-of-34, 234 yards, three touchdowns, one interception

Alvin Kamara, RB, Saints: 11 carries, 54 yards; three receptions 40 yards, one landing

Emmanuel Sanders, WR, Saints: 4 receptions, 76 yards

Mahomes, Chiefs Face Powerful Sledding in opposition to Saints

The Saints have been permitting the second-fewest yards (298.4 per sport) and fourth-fewest factors (20.4) coming into Sunday. That is arguably one of the best protection of the Sean Payton period and proved why despite the end result.

Mahomes’ whole numbers are fairly good, however his variety of incompletions illustrates how nicely New Orleans’ secondary blanketed the Chiefs’ receivers.

Clyde Edwards-Helaire’s exit is a source of worry, though. The team announced within the fourth quarter the rookie working again left with hip and leg accidents.

Bell has largely remained on the fringes since signing with Kansas Metropolis. This could possibly be an opportunity for the three-time Professional Bowler to step up and set the tone for the backfield.

Brees Labors in Return

Brees hadn’t performed since a 27-13 victory over the San Francisco 49ers on Nov. 15, suffering fractured ribs and a collapsed lung. Based mostly on his efficiency Sunday, it appears truthful to wonder if the long run Corridor of Famer is all the way in which again to one hundred pc.

The absence of Michael Thomas performed a job in Brees’ dangerous day, as nicely.

To quote former NFL quarterback Trent Dilfer, “You can’t lose video games within the NFL and nonetheless win.”

The Saints will likely be upset they threw away a possibility to win the division and allowed the Buccaneers again into the race.

The efficiency of New Orleans’ protection needs to be a supply of encouragement nonetheless. The unit stored the Saints within the sport, and the staff may fare higher come playoff time when it does not need to preserve tempo with one of the vital explosive offenses within the NFL.

And by the point a attainable NFC Championship Recreation conflict with the Inexperienced Bay Packers rolls round, New Orleans’ key gamers may need healed up slightly extra. 

What’s Subsequent?

The Saints have a Christmas Day matchup with the Minnesota Vikings at 4:30 p.m. ET. The Chiefs meet the aforementioned Falcons on Dec. 27 at 1 p.m. ET.