In the Week 3 Sunday Night Football matchup, the Atlanta Falcons (1-1) host the Kansas City Chiefs (2-0) at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Both teams are coming off emotional one-point victories in Week 2. The Chiefs needed a 51-yard field goal from Harrison Butker as time expired to inflict a 26-25 loss on the Cincinnati Bengals last Sunday afternoon, while the Falcons took a 22-21 lead over the Philadelphia Eagles with less than 40 seconds left on Monday Night Football — and then sealed the win by intercepting a pass from Philadelphia quarterback Jalen Hurts on the next drive.
First quarter
The Chiefs won the coin toss at the start and deferred possession until the second half. Atlanta started with the ball and kicked off from the 30-yard line after a touchback.
The Falcons attacked the Chiefs defense early with play-action passes. Two consecutive passes to wide receiver Darnell Mooney gained 35 yards and were set up by fake handoffs. The Chiefs defense stifled the attacks, but Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins carved up the coverage all the way into the red zone.
On the third attempt, he found wide receiver Drake London completely free in the end zone. That gave Atlanta an early 7-0 lead.
The Chiefs’ offense got going after poor field position with help from the rookies: wide receiver Xavier Worthy moved the chains once, then running back Carson Steele did it again. Second-year wide receiver Rashee Rice took over and picked up the next two first downs, including a close attempt on fourth-and-short in Atlanta territory.
Quarterback Patrick Mahomes came out of the break and looked for Worthy in the end zone – but the pass was intercepted. It quickly became a third attempt, but Rice got free for another first down. It was an inaccurate throw that foreshadowed the end of the drive: Mahomes’ attempt to score was intercepted by Falcons safety Justin Simmons, the sixth time he has intercepted the Chiefs’ signal caller.
To make up for Mahomes’ fourth interception of the season, the Chiefs defense stepped up and forced a quick punt on the next drive. Defensive end George Karlaftis made a tackle on first down and caused a loss of yardage, then helped break up Cousins’ dropback on third down.
Second quarter
The Chiefs mounted another methodical attack on their second chance, with Rice and running back Samaje Perine moving the chains to Atlanta’s side of the field. The offense did get a third down and a long ball, but Mahomes broke out of the pocket and threw the ball to the sideline to move possession into the red zone.
Mahomes continued to pressure Rice and on third down, he looked toward Rice, facing the goal line, and scored, tying the game at 7-7.
Special teams
Kicker Harrison Butker made his first point-after attempt in the second quarter.
Wide receiver Mecole Hardman returned his first kick 19 yards in the first quarter and then returned his first punt 12 yards.
Linebacker Leo Chenal received a penalty for holding the ball on the Chiefs’ first kick return.
