'Derek Carr shines in Saints debut, throwing TD pass in 26-24 preseason win vs. Chiefs'

Derek Carr shines in preseason debut as Saints defeat Chiefs 26-24 with a last-minute field goal.

In a thrilling preseason opener, the New Orleans Saints emerged victorious over the Kansas City Chiefs with a score of 26-24. The game showcased the debut of Derek Carr in a Saints uniform, as he threw a touchdown pass and demonstrated his comfort in the new offense. Rookie kicker Blake Grupe sealed the win for the Saints with a 31-yard field goal as time expired.

The Chiefs started their star quarterback, Patrick Mahomes, but he only played five snaps before their first drive ended in disappointment. A failed fourth-and-1 play on a direct snap to reserve tight end Blake Bell halted their momentum. On the other hand, Carr showcased his skills by completing six of eight passes for 70 yards on the Saints' opening drive.

Carr's performance was impressive as he maneuvered away from pressure and connected with tight end Juwan Johnson and running back Alvin Kamara. He concluded the 12-play, 80-yard drive with a 4-yard touchdown pass to Keith Kirkwood, who made a fantastic catch while crossing the back of the end zone.

As the game progressed and backups took the field, both teams saw a late rally from the Saints. Rookie Jake Haener's 2-yard scoring pass to running back Ellis Merriweather brought the Saints within one point of the Chiefs with just 1:20 remaining. However, their 2-point conversion attempt failed due to a botched shotgun snap.

The game took an unexpected turn when Saints defensive end Kyle Phillips tipped a pass from the Chiefs' Chris Oladokun, ultimately intercepting it on the Kansas City 22-yard line. This turnover set the stage for Grupe's game-winning field goal.

Jameis Winston took over for Carr and led the Saints on an impressive drive, resulting in a 29-yard touchdown pass to rookie receiver A.T. Perry. Perry, a sixth-round draft pick out of Wake Forest, showcased his skills as he became the Saints' leading receiver with six catches for 70 yards.

On the Chiefs' side, Blaine Gabbert played most of the first half and managed to narrow the gap with a 1-yard fade to Richie James in the corner of the end zone. This touchdown was made possible by a miscommunication between Saints defensive backs Alontae Taylor and Bradley Roby. James' score came shortly after he made a 43-yard catch, beating Taylor deep into Saints territory.

Shane Buechele, the Chiefs' third-string quarterback, had an impressive performance, throwing for 155 yards and two touchdowns. His first touchdown pass was a 15-yard completion to Justyn Ross, while his second found Kekoa Crawford in the middle of the end zone, giving the Chiefs a 21-17 lead.

Defensively, both teams showcased standout players. The Chiefs recorded three sacks, with Drue Tranquill, Chamarri Conner, and Danny Shelton each contributing one. For the Saints, linebackers Zach Baun and Ty Summers also recorded sacks. Additionally, rookies Kahlef Hailassie and Ugo Amadi made notable interceptions for the Chiefs and Saints, respectively.

In terms of injuries, the Saints' rookie running back Kendre Miller limped off the field in the third quarter and went to the locker room for further examination. Miller, a third-round draft pick out of TCU, was expected to play a significant role during Alvin Kamara's three-game suspension at the start of the regular season.

Looking ahead, the Chiefs will face the Arizona Cardinals in their next preseason game, while the Saints will visit the Los Angeles Chargers on August 20th.

Overall, the preseason opener between the Saints and Chiefs provided an exciting display of talent, with both teams showcasing their potential for the upcoming season.

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