2023-08-13 21:10:00
The Kansas City Chiefs were visiting the New Orleans Saints as part of the two teams’ first preseason game. The Saints emerged victorious 26-24 at the last moment in a game where new faces were in action.
New Orleans got off to a strong start by taking a 17-0 lead early in the second quarter. The newcomer to the position of quarterback, Derek Carr was illustrated with the first touchdown pass of the game against Keith Kirkwood. After spending nine seasons with the Las Vegas Raiders, Carr joined the Saints in the offseason.
His new colleague Jameis Winston also got a touchdown pass a few minutes later thanks to AT Perry’s catch good for 29 yards. Winston completed 11 of 13 attempts while Carr finished the game 6-8.
But it was rookie Jake Haener, drafted by the Saints in the fourth round this year, who attempted the most passes for New Orleans in that game. He has 10 passes completed for 17 attempted, 105 yards, one interception and one touchdown pass in the fourth quarter. He himself also obtained the conversion of two points by running, favoring the recovery of his people who had completely escaped the lead at the start of the match.
As for the defending champions, it was Shane Buechele who led the way at quarterback (11-18), getting 155 yards, two touchdowns and one interception. However, it was veteran Blaine Gabbert who scored the Chiefs’ first touchdown, bringing the team out of their offensive torpor in the second quarter.
Kansas City fans were also able to see a well-known face, that of Patrick Mahomes, at work for a few moments. The recipient of the NFL’s Most Valuable Player honor last year completed both passes he attempted, getting 15 yards.
In short, after having gone up and then led until the start of the fourth quarter, the Chiefs had their own trick played. With Haener in charge, the Saints went 24-23 with very little time left. Then, Andy Reid’s squad suffered a turnaround deep in their territory in the final seconds. 24-year-old kicker Blake Grupe took the opportunity to score a field goal from 31 yards to give the Saints the victory by a score of 26-24.
The Saints will continue their preseason schedule on August 20 against the Los Angeles Chargers while the Chiefs face the Arizona Cardinals on August 19.
Raiders loot 49ers
Derek Carr’s former team didn’t seem to need him in a game against the San Francisco 49ers. Sure enough, the Las Vegas Raiders easily edged the Californians 34-7 in what was the final game of the NFL preseason week.
Aside from Ross Dwelley’s touchdown on Trey Lance’s pass in the second quarter, the 49ers had absolutely nothing to get their teeth into offensively. Another quarterback, Sam Darnold (5-8), a newcomer to San Francisco, did not provide points for his new team, still collecting 84 yards.
Among the Raiders, several players have distinguished themselves. The first points came from 2022 fourth-round pick running back Zamir White. The latter had only one yard to go to register the touchdown. White ran 13 times for 43 yards.
Unlike the Chiefs who used four different quarterbacks against the Saints, the Raiders didn’t go for that many rotations. Only two were employed by Josh McDaniels, Aidan O’Connell and Chase Garbers. The two each delivered a touchdown pass, but O’Connell was used significantly more. He has completed 15 of 18 passes attempted for 141 yards.
Raiders ball kicker Daniel Carlson was another big part of the landslide win, posting two long field goals for 53 and 46 yards.
The Raiders will face the Los Angeles Rams on August 19 while the 49ers will want to recover against the Denver Broncos on August 19 as well.
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