The New Orleans Saints (2-2) are not looking for saviors. Likewise, they’re not playing to save the season in ESPN’s Week 5 Monday Night Football matchup against Patrick Mahomes and the undefeated Kansas City Chiefs (4-0).
However, Derek Carr’s Saints face a nightmare scenario just weeks before Halloween festivities take over the spooky streets of the Big Easy. New Orleans head coach Dennis Allen knows the defensive line will struggle to keep Mahomes from fight his way to a touchdown treats.
“Yeah, look, he’s a heck of a player,” Allen admitted. “You just watch him play and he’s not like anyone else (doing what Mahomes does). No one else makes this throw. He’s not the fastest quarterback. That goes to Lamar Jackson but (Mahomes) is very balanced in the pocket. He has great pocket presence. He somehow knows where the rush is, where the escape routes are. He can take an emergency route to his right, then to his left. He can get around the pocket.
“He can throw the ball at any angle you want him to throw it accurately,” Allen continued. “(Mahomes) is really difficult to deal with. I think back to 2020 when we played it. A lot of the plays came from his ability to escape and find a guy who took his back route and was able to get open. I think it’s a huge challenge for us.
The Saints face the mere mortal Patrick Mahomes
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The Saints will miss Tays0m Hill and a few other difference makers. Mahomes has been just an average quarterback this season, not the cheat code of old. Mahomes has just six touchdowns, five interceptions and 905 yards this season. The Chiefs need Travis Kelce back on track if they want to go for a three-peat and a trip to New Orleans is a great opportunity. The Saints have been skinned lately, by Kirk Cousins and Jalen Hurts.
Derek Carr emerged as an NFL MVP candidate through the first two weeks of the regular season. The Saints QB1 has since come back to earth. The winner of ESPN Monday Night Football will need a very special performance from its caller. Mahomes and the Chiefs can afford a hiccup on the road. The Saints and Carr have slimmer margins at home if they want to make the NFL playoffs.
