Chiefs beat Saints: 3 performances to remember

The Kansas City Chiefs stepped up and shocked the NFL by beating the New Orleans Saints, 27-24, in overtime. It was a such an awesome game to be a Chiefs fan -- the low of being down 18 points and the high of Ryan Succop booting it through in overtime.

So awesome.

Three performances to remember:

1. Jamaal Charles matches the Saints by himself

288 total yards from Charles -- 233 on the ground and 55 receiving. That's 288 total yards, the same amount of net yards the Saints racked up. Charles was dominant throughout the game, highlighted by the 91-yard franchise record-breaking run.

This is his second 200-plus yard game. He's so good. That's all I really have to say. Charles is awesome.

Photo credit: Derick E. Hingle-US PRESSWIRE

2. Justin Houston breaks out again

Houston ended last season with 5.5 sacks in his last five games. He has started this season with four sacks in his first three games. So, yeah, the Chiefs might be developing their second pass-rusher after all.

We talked earlier this year wondering if we were wrong in expecting Houston to get better. We kind of assumed he would be, but I was a little worried that he may not be as good as the 5.5 sacks in five games suggests.

I was wrong (again). Houston is showing he's for real. That's 9.5 sacks in his last eight games. Tamba Hali is still the premiere pass rusher on this team but Houston is making himself noticed.

Photo credit: John David Mercer-US PRESSWIRE

3. Defense steps up big

I made the argument last week that the real Chiefs defense is the unit that finished 12th and 11th the previous two years, not the team that's given up 75 points in the first two games this season.

It appears I may be right! For once.

The Chiefs defense was soft early in the game, making me think this would be a rout. But when the Chiefs needed it most -- late in the game -- the defense stepped up.

Great point from @clarkjudgecbs: Saints didn't score a point in their last six series Sunday and had no first downs in their last five.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 24, 2012

Those are the three biggest takeaways from this game: 1.) Charles is awesome, 2.) as is Houston and 3.) the defense is, too!

Photo credit: John David Mercer-US PRESSWIRE