KANSAS CITY, Mo., Sept. 1 (UPI) -- Kansas City's McKenzi Smith rushed for 51 yards and scored on a 1-yard burst, helping the Chiefs to a 10-9 exhibition victory over the New Orleans Saints.
New Orleans got a late touchdown from James Branch but elected to try a 2-point conversion and avoid overtime. The attempt failed and left the Chiefs with a 2-2 preseason record. New Orleans was 1-3 in its exhibition contests.
The Chiefs rested most of their starters in Thursday's game but scored first on a 27-yard Lawrence Tynes field goal. New Orleans tied the score with 9:57 left in the third period with a 46-yard John Carney field goal.
Smith put the Chiefs ahead early in the fourth quarter, ending a 10-play drive, but Branch scored a touchdown with 2:04 left. Todd Bouman's 2-point attempt pass to Chris Horn was incomplete, leaving the score 10-9.
New Orleans opens the regular season Sept. 10 at Cleveland while Kansas City plays host to Cincinnati the same day.
