Khalen Saunders Interception Provides Spark for Saints Despite Loss to Chiefs

New Orleans Saints defensive tackle, Khalen Saunders, generated excitement during Monday night’s contention at Arrowhead Stadium against the Kansas City Chiefs. Saunders, a former Chiefs third-round draft pick, performed a notable two-play sequence that temporarily invigorated the Saints amid a challenging game.

According to ESPN‘s coverage of the event, Saunders’ notable play occurred as his brother, Kameron Saunders, was present as a backup dancer for Taylor Swift, who attended the game. On the field, the 324-pound defensive tackle intercepted a pass with a one-handed swipe after the ball deflected off a Kansas City player, subsequently running it out of the end zone for an impressive 37-yard return. “I was trying to get it home, man. Take it home. Them running back days flashed in my head,” Saunders commented to the press. “I was like, ‘That’s 101 [yards]. That’s a little ways to go.’ But I was trying to give us some real field position.”

The interception set the stage for a Saints touchdown drive, which closed their score gap to three points, 16-13. Despite Saunders’ efforts, the Chiefs reasserted their dominance in the game’s final quarter, leading to a Saints defeat.

Recorded through Next Gen Stats, Saunders reached a peak speed of 15.79 mph during the interception return. This display of athleticism ranks as the third-fastest speed for any ball carrier weighing over 320 pounds since 2016. Former notable instances include a 64-yard fumble return touchdown and a 9-yard reception both from heavy-set players.

Saunders spent his initial four NFL seasons with Kansas City before signing with New Orleans in 2023. Monday’s game highlighted his first career interception. His familiarity with the Chiefs’ playbook, gained from years of practicing against them, played a pivotal role in his successful interception. “I knew it was coming. I know that little ‘tight end flip,'” stated Saunders. “I was on the scout team for a long time. I have been going against Trav and Pat for a long time. I know all the little tricks and stuff like that.”

The Saints’ performance was largely bleak, presenting difficulty against quarterback Patrick Mahomes and his teammates, as well as challenges in mounting an effective offense. Head coach Dennis Allen‘s team, now 2-3 for the season, looks forward to an opportunity for redemption against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the upcoming week.

Remaining hopeful, Saunders shared a message of perseverance post-game. “We got to continue going forward,” he remarked. “This doesn’t do anything but guarantee that we won’t be any better than 14-3 and I believe that.”