In the Kansas City Chiefs’ previous 49 games, quarterback Patrick Mahomes had one contest in which he didn’t throw a touchdown pass. The Chiefs lost that game. Mahomes didn’t throw a TD pass again on Monday night, but Kansas City still defeated the New Orleans Saints 26-13 to remain undefeated.

Winners of the past two Super Bowls, the Chiefs joined the Minnesota Vikings as the NFL’s only 5-0 teams in the 2024 season.

After scrambling to win its first four games by a total of 20 points, Kansas City scored the first 10 points on Monday night and shackled New Orleans’ comeback ability by limiting the Saints to 220 yards and holding a 19:52 advantage in time of possession.

Mahomes completed 28-of-39 passes for 331 yards with no touchdowns and one interception – picked off in the end zone by defensive tackle Khalen Saunders, and the 324-pounder’s 37-yard return sent the Saints on to their second touchdown.

In his first game this season (and first for the Chiefs since the 2018 campaign), running back Kareem Hunt ran for 102 yards and one touchdown on 27 carries. Kansas City wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster had seven receptions for 130 yards.

Saints quarterback Derek Carr completed 18-of-28 passes for 165 yards with two touchdowns and one interception. Carr left the game in the fourth quarter with an oblique injury and did not return as New Orleans lost its third in a row after opening the season with a pair of wins.

One player with Alabama football roots got on the field during the New Orleans-Kansas City game:

· Saints cornerback Ga’Quincy “Kool-Aid” McKinstry (Pinson Valley, Alabama) did not record any stats.

· Chiefs wide receiver Justyn Ross (Central-Phenix City) is on the practice squad and not eligible to play.

· Chiefs tight end Irv Smith Jr. (Alabama) is on the practice squad and not eligible to play.

· Chiefs wide receiver Montrell Washington (Samford) is on the practice squad and not eligible to play.

Kansas City has reached its bye week. The Chiefs do not play again until Oct. 20, when they visit the San Francisco 49ers.

The Saints return to NFC South play when they square off against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at noon CDT Sunday at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans.

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Mark Inabinett is a sports reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter at @AMarkG1.