Mahomes' theatrics highlight Chiefs' 32-29 win over Saints
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) passes in the first half of an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints in New Orleans, Sunday, Dec. 20, 2020. The victory kept the defending Super Bowl champion Chiefs (13-1) in pole position to capture the AFC's lone playoff bye as a No. Mahomes' second TD toss looked more like a basketball assist, a chest-pass to tight end Travis Kelce cutting behind blockers for a 1-yard score. With two timeouts remaining, the Saints kicked deep, but could not prevent Mahomes and Co. from running out the clock. Saints: Receiver Tre'Quan Smith and safety Marcus Williams each left with ankle injuries in the second half.
Brees throws 4 TD passes, Saints rout Brady, Buccaneers 38-3
Brees was 26 of 32 passing, including first-half TD throws of 14 yards to Tre’Quan Smith, 8 yards to Adam Trautman and 12 yards to Sanders, who missed the previous two games while on the COVID-19 list. Brees regained the league career TD pass lead with 654, three more than the 43-year-old Brady, who had thrown for 17 touchdowns and just one interception over his previous six games. The Saints intercepted Brady twice in a 34-23 season-opening win, with Janoris Jenkins returning one for a TD. Jared Cook fumbled at the Bucs 2 with the Saints looking to build on an early 7-0 lead. The Saints outgained the Bucs 241 yards to 36 up to that point.
Lutz's 58-yard field goal lifts Saints over Texans, 30-28
NEW ORLEANS - Wil Lutz made a 58-yard field goal as time expired, and the New Orleans Saints beat the Houston Texans 30-28 on Monday night in a game that had three scoring plays in the final minute. Deshaun Watson threw a 37-yard touchdown pass to former Saints receiver Kenny Stills with 37 seconds left, capping a two-play, 75-yard drive that put the Texans in front after they began their final possession down by six with 50 seconds left. That allowed New Orleans to save its final timeout until just 2 seconds remained and set up Lutz's career-long kick. The Saints had only 16 seconds left when they snapped the ball on their own 47. They got close enough to try a 56-yard field goal as the half expired, but Lutz's kick was just wide.
By the numbers: Texans gearing up for regular season opener in New Orleans
In this Aug. 26, 2017, file photo, Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) passes under pressure from New Orleans Saints defensive tackle David Onyemata in the first half of a preseason NFL football game, in New Orleans. HOUSTON - The Houston Texans are preparing to open their regular season on the road against the New Orleans Saints on Monday night. 3That's the number of Texans players who were listed as questionable early Sunday afternoon. 399.4That's the number of average yards the Texans net per game when Watson, Hopkins and Fuller are playing together. 9That's the number of yards lost in 2011, when defensive end J.J. Watt recorded the first sack of his career against the Saints' quarterback Drew Brees.