The Kansas City Chiefs continued their unbeaten run to start the season with a narrow 22-17 victory over the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday night. Despite some moments of inconsistency, Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs found a way to grind out another win, making it three straight to open the campaign.
Once again, it was Mahomes’ brilliance under center that helped the Chiefs stay on track. The reigning Super Bowl MVP threw for 217 yards, completing 26 of 39 passes with two touchdowns and one interception. He connected with Rashee Rice and Juju Smith-Schuster for scoring plays, while kicker Harrison Butker added three crucial field goals to keep Kansas City in control.
Although the Chiefs have not been flawless, winning their three games by a combined 13 points, they’ve shown resilience when it matters most, especially on the defensive side of the ball. Late stands from Kansas City’s defense helped secure the win, as they held off a late Falcons surge, led by quarterback Kirk Cousins, who was impressive in his own right.
The Falcons came into this game riding high after a thrilling win over the Philadelphia Eagles, and they started with momentum. Cousins led Atlanta to an early touchdown on their opening drive, completing all five of his passes for 66 yards, including a 13-yard scoring strike to Drake London. It was a beautifully orchestrated drive that exploited some lapses in the Chiefs’ secondary, leaving London wide open in the end zone.
Kansas City responded on their first possession, but an early interception in the end zone by Justin Simmons ended a 17-play drive that could have tied the game. Mahomes targeted tight end Noah Gray, but the pass was picked off, marking Mahomes’ fourth interception in just three games this season.
However, the Chiefs quickly bounced back, showing why they are the reigning Super Bowl champions. Mahomes led a 13-play, 79-yard drive, culminating in a 13-yard touchdown pass to Rashee Rice, tying the game at 7-7.
The Falcons regained the lead, thanks to a one-yard rushing touchdown by Bijan Robinson. The score was set up by a spectacular 50-yard bomb from Cousins to tight end Kyle Pitts, who beat Kansas City’s coverage downfield. But the Falcons’ offensive line took a hit, with key injuries to right tackle Kaleb McGary and center Drew Dalman, which significantly impacted their ability to protect Cousins as the game wore on.
With the Falcons clinging to a 14-13 lead at halftime, the Chiefs took control in the second half. Butker’s 21-yard field goal in the third quarter gave Kansas City their first lead of the night at 16-14, and Mahomes extended that lead with a 13-yard touchdown pass to Smith-Schuster, making it 22-14.
The Falcons had opportunities to steal the win late in the fourth quarter. Cousins led Atlanta deep into Kansas City territory, but back-to-back incompletions in the end zone left the Falcons with no points on one drive. On their final possession, Atlanta faced a critical fourth-and-1 from the Chiefs’ 13-yard line, but Bijan Robinson was stopped for a three-yard loss, effectively ending their hopes of a comeback.
Kansas City’s defense, led by key contributions from defensive end George Karlaftis and cornerback Chamarri Conner, managed to make the necessary stops, ensuring their unbeaten record would remain intact.
The Chiefs’ victory wasn’t the blowout many might have expected from the reigning Super Bowl champs, but their ability to win close games is a hallmark of great teams. Harrison Butker’s reliable kicking and a defense that bent but didn’t break helped Kansas City weather the storm.
While Mahomes wasn’t at his absolute best, throwing another interception and missing some key passes, his leadership and ability to deliver in clutch moments remain crucial for Kansas City’s success. With another road game ahead against the Los Angeles Chargers, the Chiefs will need to clean up their execution to maintain their momentum in the ultra-competitive AFC West.
For Atlanta, there are plenty of positives to take from their performance. Kirk Cousins threw for 230 yards, including a 50-yard highlight pass to Pitts, and rookie Bijan Robinson continues to shine as a dual-threat in the backfield. However, costly injuries to their offensive line and a failure to capitalise on late-game opportunities doomed the Falcons to their second loss of the season.
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