Mahomes dazzles as Brees struggles
NEW ORLEANS — Patrick Mahomes had his full repertoire of side-arm throws, basketball-style push passes and underhanded f lips on display while passing for 254 yards and three touchdowns, and the Kansas City Chiefs extended their winning streak to nine games with a 32-29 victory over the New Orleans Saints on Sunday.
The Kansas City defense did its part to spoil Drew Brees’ return from rib fractures and a punctured lung that had kept the record-setting passer out four games.
While Brees passed for 234 yards and three touchdowns, he completed less than half of his passes and had a throw intercepted for just the fourth time this season.
The victory kept the Chiefs in pole position to capture the AFC’s lone playoff bye as a No. 1 seed. The Saints, meanwhile, missed a chance to clinch the NFC South for a second straight week.
Mahomes’ second touchdown toss was a chest pass to tight end Travis Kelce cutting behind blockers for a one-yard score. Mahomes later used an underhanded forward f lip to Kelce for a two-point conversion after a 12-yard touchdown run by Le’Veon Bell to make it 29-15 in the fourth quarter.
“Patrick is more impressive than I could imagine,” Bell said. “... I’m fortunate to be his teammate.”
Brees needed more than a full quarter to complete a pass or lead the Saints to a first down. His first completion came on his seventh pass.
“I wasn’t real efficient, obviously, in the passing game,” Brees said. “I’d say that was a combination of forcing some things down the field instead of just taking a completion underneath. There were some miscues.”
Chiefs rookie running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire needed help to the locker room in the fourth quarter, not putting any pressure on his left leg. Coach Andy Reid said X-rays were negative but that EdwardsHelaire required more evaluation.
Saints defensive end Cameron Jordan was ejected for punching right guard Andrew Wylie following an incomplete pass.