It was August 13, 2023. The humidity in New Orleans was exactly what you’d expect for a late summer afternoon—thick enough to wear. Fans packed the Caesars Superdome, not just for the air conditioning, but because the Saints vs Chiefs 2023 matchup represented the first real glimpse of the Derek Carr era in the Big Easy. We weren't looking for a Super Bowl preview. Nobody is that delusional in mid-August. We were looking for competence.
Kansas City walked in as the defending champs. They didn't have much to prove. Patrick Mahomes played exactly one series, because why risk the league's most valuable asset in a game that doesn't count? He went 2-of-2 for 15 yards and then grabbed a headset. It was the Saints, specifically Derek Carr, who had the weight of a franchise on their shoulders after the post-Brees era had started to feel a bit like a rudderless ship.
The Derek Carr Debut and Why It Actually Looked Good
Honestly, the first drive was kind of perfect. Carr looked comfortable. He went 6-of-8 for 70 yards. The highlight was a 4-yard touchdown pass to Keith Kirkwood that capped off a 12-play, 80-yard masterpiece. It was efficient. It was rhythmic. It was everything Dennis Allen had promised when they backed up the Brinks truck for the former Raiders signal-caller.
Most people forget that Michael Thomas was out there, too. Seeing him catch a pass from Carr felt like a fever dream for Saints fans who had spent years watching "Slant Boy" highlights while he sat on the injury report. He caught one for 16 yards. It wasn't much, but in the context of Saints vs Chiefs 2023, it was a signal that the offense might actually have some teeth.
Then the backups came in. That’s where things usually get sloppy, but New Orleans held its own. Jameis Winston—ever the wildcard—took over and threw a beautiful 29-yard touchdown to A.T. Perry. Perry was the talk of training camp that year. A sixth-round pick with first-round ball skills. He finished that day with six catches for 70 yards and that score. You could see the chemistry immediately.
Kansas City’s Depth and the Richie James Show
The Chiefs aren't just Mahomes. They’re a factory. Even with the starters resting, Andy Reid’s system kept humming. Shane Buechele and Blaine Gabbert handled the heavy lifting under center. Gabbert, the veteran, found Richie James for a 1-yard touchdown in the second quarter.
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Richie James was a sneaky good pickup for them at the time. He caught two passes for 44 yards and that score. It reminded everyone that the Chiefs don't necessarily need a superstar WR1 when they have a dozen guys who just understand the geometry of the field.
But let's talk about the defense. The Chiefs' young secondary, led by guys trying to make the 53-man roster, struggled a bit with the Saints' size. However, the Kansas City pass rush remained annoying. It's their identity. They rotate bodies like a hockey team. Even in a preseason game like Saints vs Chiefs 2023, Chris Jones wasn't there (holdout drama, remember?), but the unit still felt cohesive.
The Fourth Quarter Chaos You Probably Forgot
Preseason games usually die in the fourth quarter. Fans head for the exits to beat the New Orleans traffic. This one was different.
The Saints were up 17-7 at halftime. Then the Chiefs roared back. By the time the fourth quarter rolled around, it was a legitimate football game. Chiefs rookie QB Chris Oladokun led a drive that put Kansas City up 24-17 late in the game. It looked like a typical "Saints find a way to lose" scenario.
Enter Blake Grupe.
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The undrafted rookie kicker out of Notre Dame was in a dead heat with veteran Wil Lutz. This was the pressure cooker. After the Saints tied it up 24-24 following a late touchdown, they got the ball back with almost no time left.
Kyle Phillips intercepted a pass. Suddenly, the Saints were in field goal range. Grupe stepped up. 31 yards. Through the uprights as time expired. 26-24.
The Superdome erupted like it was a playoff game. It was a 24-year-old kid proving he belonged in the NFL, eventually leading to the Saints trading away Wil Lutz to Denver. That single kick changed the trajectory of the Saints' special teams for the entire 2023 season.
Key Statistical Breakdown of Saints vs Chiefs 2023
If you're a numbers person, the box score tells a weird story.
- Total Yards: Saints 416, Chiefs 346.
- Passing: New Orleans aired it out for 331 yards.
- Turnovers: Each team gave it away once.
- Time of Possession: Saints controlled the clock for nearly 34 minutes.
The Chiefs struggled on third down, converting only 3 of 10. That was a recurring theme for their second-stringers throughout that preseason. Meanwhile, the Saints were 7-of-14. It showed a level of situational awareness that the team had lacked the year prior.
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Why This Specific Game Mattered Long-Term
You can’t talk about Saints vs Chiefs 2023 without mentioning the ripple effects. For New Orleans, it validated the Carr signing—at least temporarily. It gave the front office the confidence to move on from Lutz. It put A.T. Perry on the map as a legitimate vertical threat.
For Kansas City, it was just another day at the office. They lost the game, sure, but they found out that their depth at wide receiver was "good enough" to survive another season. They were testing packages. They were looking at linebackers like Cam Jones and Leo Chenal. They weren't playing for the win; they were playing for the film.
Actionable Insights for Football Historians and Bettors
Looking back at games like this provides a blueprint for how to evaluate preseason value.
First, watch the first-team offensive line. The Saints' starters didn't allow a sack against the Chiefs' front. That was a massive "green flag" for the early part of the regular season. Second, look at rookie targets. If a guy like A.T. Perry is getting 10+ targets in a preseason game, the coaches are trying to see if he can handle the "X" receiver role.
If you are analyzing future matchups between these two, remember the stylistic clash. The Chiefs want to stress you horizontally. The Saints, under the 2023 regime, wanted to beat you with high-percentage intermediate throws and a steady dose of Alvin Kamara (who had 3 carries for 14 yards in this one).
Next time you see these two on the schedule, don't just look at the stars. Look at the special teams battles and the depth at defensive back. That is where these games are actually won.
Key Takeaways from the Matchup
- Derek Carr's efficiency: His 140.6 passer rating in that single drive was the perfect "honeymoon phase" moment.
- The Kicker Battle: Blake Grupe's game-winner essentially ended the Wil Lutz era in New Orleans.
- Chiefs Resilience: Even with backups, KC erased a 10-point deficit, proving their system is QB-proof in short bursts.
- Preseason Truth: The Saints won the battle, but the Chiefs, as we now know, were busy winning the war that would lead to another Super Bowl ring.
To truly understand the 2023 season, you have to look at these early snapshots. They reveal the "why" behind the roster moves that eventually define the December playoff hunt.