Atlanta Falcons (1-2) – Kansas City Chiefs (3-0): 17-22
After a come-from-behind victory over the Eagles, Atlanta and Kirk Cousins could hope to capitalize and continue. They did… for a quarter and a half. Then, the Chiefs' defense locked down the game, and Atlanta failed to go for a match that nevertheless always remained mathematically within shooting range.
The Falcons had two possessions to take the lead in the final quarter. With four minutes left, inside the 10-yard line, Cousins missed three passes in a row, for a fourth-down incompletion. Then in the final two minutes, with another possession inside the Kansas City 15-yard line, Bijan Robinson was stopped on a fourth-down play with only one length to spare.
A missed opportunity for the Falcons as much as a new victory for the Chiefs defense.
The Falcons had started well
Seven plays, 70 yards and a Kirk Cousins touchdown for Drake London. The start couldn't have been more perfect for the Falcons on the first drive. Even more so with an interception by Justin Simmons on Patrick Mahomes in the process. A loss of ball ultimately not rewarded, and Mahomes even gets revenge by finding Rashee Rice for the equalizer (7-7).
But Atlanta's attack went well at the start of the game, and Bijan Robinson responded immediately by finding the end zone on the ground (14-7).
It's the middle of the second quarter, and the locals will not see the end zone again.
Chiefs still struggling
While Steve Spagnuolo's defense ends up neutralizing Kirk Cousins by putting him under pressure, the attack is still sluggish on the side of the two-time defending champions. It takes three field goals to get back in front in the third quarter (14-16).
It was finally a touchdown from the returning JuJu Smith-Schuster that allowed the Chiefs to take off and put themselves out of reach of a comeback.
The satisfaction of the evening is running back Carson Steele (17 carries, 72 yards), who made up for the absence of Isiah Pacheco. Rashee Rice was everywhere in the air. But Mahomes is giving up a small record by his standards, because Travis Kelce (4 rec, 30 yards) and the others were much more discreet.
The important thing for the champions is the three… victories. They remain undefeated. On the Atlanta side, after the late-match clearing against Philadelphia and this good start to the game, things quickly calmed down.
