5 key takeaways from Chiefs-Saints Week 5 MNF showdown 

The Kansas City Chiefs joined the Minnesota Vikings in remaining perfect in the 2024 NFL season following their 26-13 win over the New Orleans Saints at Arrowhead Stadium on Monday Night Football.

The home team dominated proceedings and outscored the visitors in three of the game's four quarters, with the third endless scoreless. The defense was on song while the offense had its best outing of the campaign in their final game before their bye week.

The Saints' defense tried valiantly but were tasked with keeping the Chiefs' offense at bay for the game's duration, an improbable feat more often than not. As disappointing as the loss and dropping to 2-3 are, they'd likely be more concerned about the potentially season-defining moment in the fourth quarter.

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Chiefs vs. Saints: 5 key takeaways

#1. Patrick Mahomes finds his groove

The Chiefs superstar had an uncharacteristic start to the campaign. He did not have a game with over 250 passing yards in the opening four outings on Kansas City's schedule, a first for the two-time MVP.

However, Patrick Mahomes answered his critics with an exceptional display on Monday night. He completed 28 of his 39 pass attempts for 331 yards and rushed for 22 yards on six carries, which included an incredible scramble and dive on 3rd-and-long.

The only blemish was an interception in the endzone, which bounced off JuJu Smith-Schuster's hands. Mahomes' stellar performance should be a cause for concern for the rest of the league.

#2. Saints' season could derail after Derek Carr's injury

The Saints will return to New Orleans with not only a humbling loss but also an injured quarterback. In the fourth quarter, Derek Carr suffered an oblique injury after landing hard on his side on a 4th-and-8 play. He threw a perfect pass against an all-out blitz to wide receiver Mason Tipton, who couldn't haul it in.

He was ruled out of the contest and in the post-game press conference, the veteran quarterback revealed that his injury did not "look good." He'll undergo an MRI tomorrow to determine the extent of his ailment. Losing Carr for an extended period would be a massive blow to the Saints' season.

#3. Travis Kelce's impactful outing

The tight end had a concerning start to his campaign. In the first three games, he registered only eight catches for 69 yards, a historically poor start for the veteran.

Travis Kelce bounced back with a good performance against the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 4, finishing the game with seven catches for 89 yards. He proved on Monday night that his performance last week was not a flash in the pan, as he hauled in nine catches for 70 yards and was also responsible for one of the game's best plays.

As impressive as Kelce's lateral to Samaje Perine was, it wasn't the night's best highlight.

#4. Khalen Saunders goes viral after incredible play

Late in the third quarter, Mahomes and the Chiefs were in the position to put the game virtually out of the Saints' reach with a touchdown, but Khalen Saunders kept his team's hopes alive with one of the best plays of the year.

The 324-pound defensive end not only picked off the quarterback after his pass to Smith-Schuster bounced off the wide receiver's hands but also embarked on an incredible 34-yard return.

Saunder's interception came right after commentators Joe Buck and Troy Aikman finished talking about Kameron Saunders, the Saints star's brother and the backup dancer on Taylor Swift's crew, who was in attendance to support her boyfriend Travis Kelce. The incredible play didn't amount to a win but is inarguably one of the most memorable plays of the young season.

#5. JuJu Smith-Schuster makes case to fill in for Rashee Rice

One of the burning questions coming into Week 5 was who on the Chiefs roster would step up and replace Rashee Rice. The wide receiver was Mahomes' go-to option in the passing game, but the quarterback will have to find a new top target as the sophomore star is set to miss the rest of the season with a knee injury.

In Rice's absence, JuJu Smith-Schuster stepped up and threw his hat into the ring to be the Chiefs' new WR1 with an incredible audition on Monday night. He finished the game with seven catches for 130 yards, the fourth-best game of his career and his best as a Chief.

He returned to Kansas City after an underwhelming season with the New England Patriots and was quiet in his first two outings in his second stint with the Chiefs. His stellar display against the Saints and Kelce's return to form could entice the front office into refraining from trading for a wide receiver to replace Rice.