The Saints played up to the pre-season hype of going to the Super Bowl with a complete game in a 30-7 victory of the Kansas City Chiefs on Thursday night at Arrowhead Stadium.
The Saints haven't put their high-powered offense on display yet because they are saving that for the league opener on prime-time against the Indianapolis Colts on Sept. 6. However, against the Chiefs, the Saints took their first five possessions and drove deep into Chiefs territory each time. They put together two complete halves of football.
"They took their stick out and beat us over the head," said Chiefs coach Herm Edwards. The Saints out-gained the Chiefs 479 yards to 153. The first half lead could have been much larger, but the Saints were stopped twice inside the KC 5 on fourth-down attempts.
"I am very pleased that we came on the road in a tough place and played as well as we did," said Saints coach Sean Payton. "We were crisp. If we were in the regular season I probably would not have gone for those fourth-downs in the first half, but these are some of the things we will need to work on.:
The Saints defensive starters have allowed just five field goals and zero touchdowns in 15 drives by opposing offenses, including the shutout against the Chiefs. The first-string defense frustrated KC quarterback Brodie Crowe, who was just 4-of-14 for 40 yards and held to 68 yards total offense in five possessions. The Saints never had to punt in the first half.
"We knew they were going to move the ball," said Edwards. "They had great rhythm in the first half. That's why they're the No. 1 offense. They kept us off balance."
Saints quarterback Drew Brees completed 17-of-19 passes for 182 yards and a touchdown fo a passer rating of 124.1 and running back Reggie Bush racked up 51 yards on 6 carries (8.5 average) and veteran David Patten, who will see playing time during the season, collected 75 yards on 6 receptions and 1 TD.
Rookie quarterback Tyler Palko, who will be No. 3 this season, came in for backup Jamie Martin, who played better than last week and promptly guided the Saints on a seven-play 73-yard drive in 3:44 in the final quarter, capped by hard six-yard run by rookie running back Pierre Thomas, who will be hard to cut. He scored two touchdowns against the Chiefs.
The Chiefs threatened the Saints' shutout bid by crossing midfield midway through the final quarter, but linebacker Dhani Jones, picked from the Eagles, fired through a gap and dropped quarterback Casey Printers for a 13-yard loss on a fourth and long that took the ball out to midfield.
Thomas continues to impress as he took the next three carries and had gains of 1, 32 and 19 yards for a touchdown, He finished the game with 11 carries for 90 yards.
The Chiefs avoided the shutout with 1:53 left on a two-yard run by running back Marcus O'Keith.
"It's a meaningless pre-season game," said Patten. "Two weeks from now everyone will have the same record and not remember this at all. It's good to go out and play well, but we need to continue to focus on the larger task at hand and that is to get ready for the season opener and the season."
The only time the KC first- and -second team units ever threatened to score was thwarted when rookie and the KC No. 1 draft choice Dwayne Bowe (LSU) failed to haul in a pass in the end zone. Bowe made his first NFL reception earlier ion the game when he caught a short pass from Croyle and turned it into a 21-yard gain.
Ex-Saints running back Michael Bennett rushed 7 times for 27 yards and ex Saint Eddie Kennison (LSU) didn't catch a pass. Former Saints No. 1 draft choice, Kyle Turley started at right offensive tackle for the Chiefs.
Saints No. 1 draft choice wide receiver Robert Meachem didn't catch a pass and appeared head for a "red-shirt" season.
The will return to work on Saturday to get ready for their final pre-season game against the Miami Dolphins in the Superdome on Thursday night.
