Chiefs hold off Saints in borderline heartstopper

The Kansas City Chiefs played well on Sunday and got a win over the New Orleans Saints, 27-21. Of course, it did not come easy.

Kansas City is 4-2. The Chiefs didn’t get to that record easily, though, having to beat the New Orleans Saints in a nailbiter, 27-21. Kansas City was leading 24-14 in the fourth quarter but could not get off the field for most of the final stanza. Perhaps the plays of the game belonged to Ron Parker and Nick Fairley.

Parker, the most underrated player on the Chiefs, punched out a Mark Ingram fumble inside the Kansas City 10-yard line. Marcus Peters recovered, keeping the score at 24-14 midway through the fourth. Then, on the Chiefs’ final drive, they were saved from a 3rd and 14 because Fairley inexplicably threw Spencer Ware – who did not have the ball – down on his head.

It wasn’t a pretty win, but it was a beautiful result. The star of the game was Daniel Sorensen, who had a sack to go with a couple key tackles and a 48-yard pick-six in the first quarter. Sorensen finished with six tackles on the day. Steven Nelson led the team with nine.

The defense made the big plays that it needs, mostly because it couldn’t make the little ones. Drew Brees was unreal, throwing for 367 yards and three touchdowns, but it wasn’t enough. Alex Smith made a couple mistakes but also made some huge throws, including the third down, sideline stick to Chris Conley in the fourth quarter. Smith’s best throw was to Tyreek Hill on the 38-yard bomb in the second quarter.

All told, Smith completed 17-of-24 for 214 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Spencer Ware was able to amass 77 yards on 17 carries, to go with his 46-yard touchdown catch in the first quarter, tying the game at 7-7.

Ultimately, the Chiefs are 4-2. They remain undefeated at home and keep pace with the Oakland Raiders. Kansas City also moved ahead of the Buffalo Bills and put distance between themselves and the Ravens. It was a good day with potential to get better.