SaintsDBLattimoregetsatestofmettleagainstQBMahomes,Chiefs
NEW ORLEANS—New Orleans Saints coach Sean Payton seriously considered drafting Patrick Ma homes in 2017.
But the Saints were slated to pick 11 th overall and Kansas City traded up to snag Mahomes at pick No.10.
Record-setting quarterback Drew B re es was 38 then, but had no intention of retiring. And as it turned out, the Saints wound up with one of the greatest draft sin franchise history that year, anyway.
It began with the 2017 defensive rookie of the year, corner back Marsh on Latti more, who will get his first chance to see how he fares against Ma homes& Co. Sunday when the Saints (10-3) play host to the defending NFL champion Chiefs (12-1) in a potential Super Bowl preview.
“Everything worked out for the best ,” Lat ti more said. “He’s over there doing his thing. I’ m over here doing my thing. So ,every body won.
“And yeah, I’ m excited to play him because he’ s one of the great up-and-coming quarterbacks,” Lattimore continued .“So you know our game is going to be way up, and you know we’ re going to be ready for him.”
With help from play makers such as receiver Ty reek Hill and tight end Travis Kelce, Mahomes leads the NFL in yards passing with 4,208 and has his team in pole position to defend its Super Bowl title.
“Tobe that young and to be as talented as he is is rare,” Chiefs coach Andy Reid said of Mahomes. “For him to have excelled the way he has is a real tribute to the kid and the genes that his parents gave him, too, is part of it—and how hard he works.”
The Chiefs have the best record in the AFC. But ensuring that it stays that way another week requires a victory against a contending Saints squad looking to bounce back from a stunning loss in Philadelphia. The Saint scan win the NFC South Division for a fourth consecutive season with a victory( or a Tampa Bay Buccaneers loss).
To that end, Bree swill return to start after missing four games with broken ribs and a punctured lung suffered Nov. 15 against the San Francisco 49ers. The Saints were 3-1 with Taysom Hill at quarter back.
Payton said B re es ,41, will be wearing a protective vest over his torso, but the coach dismissed the idea that the Saints were rushing B re es back from injury.
“We wouldn’t be playing him if he wasn’ t healthy and able to function and feeling good and recovered ,” Pay ton said.
“It’ s going to be a great battle ,” Lat ti more said .“I feel like we’ re stacked, just like they’ re stacked. So, we’ re going togo out there and play and the best man wins.”