Falcons vs. Chiefs Recap: Chiefs Edge Falcons 22-17 in Nail-Biter
Both the Atlanta Falcons and Kansas City Chiefs celebrated last-minute victories in Week 2, and as they clashed at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Week 3, the intensity remained high. This time, the Chiefs emerged victorious, defeating the Falcons 22-17. Kirk Cousins and the Falcons struck first, but a late surge wasn’t enough to secure the lead. Patrick Mahomes leaned on the dynamic Rashee Rice and a blitz-heavy defense led by Steve Spagnuolo to seal the win for the defending Super Bowl champions.
Rice briefly left the game due to injury but finished with an impressive 12 catches for 111 yards and a touchdown. The Chiefs’ ground game was bolstered by rookie Carson Steele, who took over for the injured Isiah Pacheco, recording 15 carries. Atlanta's Drake London and Darnell Mooney each contributed with at least six receptions, but the Falcons struggled to capitalize on key downs during their final drive, despite benefiting from several penalties.
With this win, the Chiefs improved to 3-0 and maintained their position atop the AFC, while the Falcons fell to 1-2, unable to tie for the NFC South lead alongside the Carolina Panthers.
Top Takeaways from the Game:
Play of the Game:
The Chiefs’ defense made a pivotal play just before halftime, forcing Cousins into an interception. Tershawn Wharton pressured the pocket, allowing Chamarri Conner to make the pick and pass it to Jaylen Watson for a longer return.Rashee Rice: A True No. 1 Receiver
While the Chiefs' offense showed some struggles—Mahomes threw his fourth interception in three games, and Steele was only average in the backfield—Rice emerged as a legitimate No. 1 target. His performance (12 catches, 111 yards, 1 touchdown) showcased his ability to make plays, as he now leads all NFL wide receivers in yards after catch and missed tackles forced.Kirk Cousins Needs More Support
Despite a strong Week 2, Cousins faced a tougher challenge on Sunday night. With a less-than-clean pocket, he struggled as the game progressed. He still delivered accurate passes to London and Mooney, but late-game blocking and play-calling during the final drive hindered the offense.Raheem Morris’ Squad is Still in It
Though the Falcons sit at 1-2, they’ve been competitive in every game this season. This matchup was only the third game in the Cousins/Morris era, following a notable upset over the Eagles. The Falcons’ defense, particularly their secondary, nearly managed to pull off an upset against the reigning champions. Don’t count them out just yet.
What’s Next:
The Chiefs (3-0) will head to face the rival Chargers (2-1), who are dealing with injuries to key players. Meanwhile, the Falcons (1-2) will host the rival Saints (2-1), who were recently outmatched by the Eagles in a tough defensive battle.
