Recap: Kansas City vs. New Orleans
Sports Network | November 16, 2008
Kansas City, MO (Sports Network) - Pierre Thomas racked up 144 total yards and a TD with 88 rushing and 56 receiving on four grabs as the New Orleans Saints survived a spirited effort from the Kansas City Chiefs with a 30-20 win at Arrowhead Stadium.
Drew Brees, the league's top passer, had a pedestrian performance by his standards, throwing for 266 yards on 25-of-36 attempts with a TD and interception. Brees had passed for 320 yards or more, including 422 last week, in seven of the Saints' first nine games this season.
Lance Moore caught eight passes for 102 yards and a score while Deuce McAllister also rushed for a touchdown.
The Saints (5-5) were coming off a disappointing division loss to the Atlanta Falcons last week, dropping New Orleans firmly into last place in the NFC South, where they still reside despite the victory.
Saints running back Reggie Bush was inactive again as he continues to recover from arthroscopic knee surgery. Bush hurt the knee in a loss to the Carolina Panthers in Week 7, and he has not played since.
Tyler Thigpen put together another encouraging performance despite the Chiefs' second consecutive close loss, hitting on 19-of-38 pass attempts for 235 yards with a pair of TD passes to Dwayne Bowe, who finished with seven grabs for 53 yards.
Former Pro Bowl running back Larry Johnson was back in the fold following a four-game suspension and rushed for 67 yards on 19 carries.
Tony Gonzalez made five receptions for 39 yards before leaving with an undisclosed injury suffered during a third-quarter goal-line series for Kansas City (1-9), which has lost five straight and 18 of its last 19 dating back to last year.
There is a measure of enthusiasm in Kansas City, though, after its second-year quarterback was instrumental in keeping the game close throughout on the heels of a 20-19 near-miss against San Diego last Sunday, as Thigpen's two-point conversion toss with 24 seconds left fell incomplete.
