New Orleans Saints

Saints vs. Chiefs is defining moment in 2016 for Black and Gold

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

foxsports

Two wins in a row for the Saints is a feel good story coming off an 0-3 start. What happens next is a defining moment for the 2016 season.

NEW ORLEANS, LA – OCTOBER 16: Drew Brees

The Saints got off to a very shaky but seemingly manageable start this season. Two close losses to mid-level teams, the Raiders and the Giants had Who Dat Nation leery but hopeful for their chances.

Then, on a Monday night in New Orleans against the most hated of Saints rivals, the Atlanta Falcons came in and the season seamed to unravel. The Dirty Birds came into the Dome and completely dismantled Drew Brees and crew on a national stage.

The final score, 45-32 wasn’t as close as it seems. The Saints were never really in that game. They were manhandled and embarrassed.

Now, coming off back to back wins against less than stellar opponents with losing records, the Chargers and the Panthers, the Black and Gold have regained a little swagger. But Sunday, in Arrowhead Stadium, they will be put to the test.

There’s a feeling amongst Saints fans that the unit is starting to gel. They are young in so many areas that count on defense and are working with an offensive line that has had to come together under fire. Injuries have been rampant. But for the past two games the team has looked like a team. They seem determined to win and overcome the challenges they’ve faced so far in 2016.

KANSAS CITY, MO – SEPTEMBER 25: General view of a wall painting calling Arrowhead Stadium the Loudest Stadium in the world when the Kansas City Chiefs play against the New York Jets on September 25, 2016 at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Al Pereira/Getty Images)

Against Kansas City we’ll find out the truth. The Chiefs are a bonafide playoff contender with a solid defense and an out of this world running game. The Chargers and Panthers were basically a preseason for the new look Saints defense and an offense that has learned to work around any shortcomings, still under the guidance of Drew Brees.

The 2016 season restart is on Sunday, October 23 in Kansas City.

The buzzwords out of Saints camp this week have been “consistency” and “finish.” If they can do both they will come out on top. If they don’t, it will be a long day.

The Chiefs are fresh off of an absolute 26-10 clobbering of divisional foe Oakland. A game in which the Raiders scored a touchdown on their opening drive and then were held to a field goal for the remainder of the game. Kansas City’s running back Spencer Ware ran roughshod over the Black and Silver defense. Kansas City is a team firing on all cylinders, and the Saints face them in one of the hardest places to play in the NFL.

This is a gut check game for New Orleans. How they perform on Sunday will tell us what we can look forward to for the rest of this season.