The Atlanta Falcons appeared like they’d some extra fourth-quarter magic in them, however Kansas Metropolis Chiefs linebacker Nick Bolton shut the door on that within the 22-17 win to stay undefeated to start out the 2024 season.
Kirk Cousins and the Falcons have been driving with lower than two minutes to play, and so they wanted to search out the top zone after not doing so on their earlier drive to beat the Chiefs.
After not with the ability to convert on Third-and-1 on Kansas Metropolis’s 13-yard line, the Falcons went to the properly once more with a run play on fourth-and-inches, and often Bijan Robinson is ready to choose up that essential yard.
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Atlanta Falcons vast receiver Darnell Mooney (1) is tackled by Kansas Metropolis Chiefs linebacker Nick Bolton (32) within the first quarter at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. (Brett Davis-Imagn Photos)
Nevertheless, Bolton got here flying by way of when he noticed the play develop, and tackled Robinson for a three-yard loss to show the Falcons over on downs.
That iced the sport for the Chiefs, as Patrick Mahomes simply knelt the rest of his snaps to maneuver to 3-0. The Falcons at the moment are 1-2 on the season.
A important second on this sport got here on third-and-five from the Kansas Metropolis 6-yard line on the earlier drive, as Cousins was searching for Kyle Pitts in the course of the top zone after he initially beat his defender off the purpose line.
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As Cousins made his move, Pitts jumped within the air to make the catch, nevertheless it appeared Bryan Prepare dinner made contact with Pitts too early. Nevertheless, no flags have been on the sphere and the Chiefs caught a break.
On 4th-and6, the Falcons weren’t capable of convert a landing when Cousins’ move to Drake London, who scored earlier within the sport, hit the turf. So, down 22-17, the Falcons needed to give the ball again to the Chiefs after their 15-play drive.
It was a scorching begin for the Falcons, who have been coming off an exhilarating win over the Philadelphia Eagles on “Monday Night time Soccer,” as Cousins orchestrated a 70-yard drive for a landing on the crew’s opening drive this week.
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins (18) fumbles a snap towards the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs throughout the first half at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. (Dale Zanine-Imagn Photos)
London, the person Cousins discovered late towards the Eagles for the come-from-behind Week 2 win, was left vast open in the long run zone after busted protection by the Chiefs and it was the simplest rating he’ll see within the NFL to make it 7-0 after the additional level from Younghoe Koo.
However Mahomes was capable of match the Falcons on the scoreboard, when he discovered Rashee Rice, his new favourite goal in pink and yellow every week, for the 13-yard landing.
Cousins, although, was capable of rapidly reply to the Chiefs, due to an amazing catch-and-run, by his proficient tight finish Kyle Pitts, who went 50 yards for the Kansas Metropolis one-yard line. Bijan Robinson would rating from one yard out to retake the lead.
The Chiefs would add two area objectives earlier than the top of the primary half, one in all which was a present from Cousins who threw an interception with lower than one minute to play.
Kansas Metropolis would take the lead with its first drive within the second half ending in one other Harrison Butker area purpose, however Mahomes’ second landing of the sport make it 22-14 late within the third quarter to create a wider hole on Atlanta.
Kansas Metropolis Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) passes the ball towards the Atlanta Falcons throughout the first quarter at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. (Dale Zanine-Imagn Photos)
The drive took simply over six minutes of time without work the clock, and it ended with JuJu Smith-Schuster streaking throughout the center of the sphere and Mahomes slinging a move to him for a 13-yard landing. It’s Smith-Schuster’s first of the season after he rejoined the crew he received a Tremendous Bowl with two years in the past, and it turned out to be the game-winning rating.
The field rating learn Mahomes passing for 217 yards with two touchdowns and one interception – a drive killer because it got here in the long run zone when Justin Simmons stepped right into a move to tight finish Noah Grey.
Mahomes discovered Rice 12 occasions for 110 yards, as he’s the clear No. 1 possibility for him within the passing sport. Travis Kelce was the next-best receiver with 4 catches for 30 yards, however he has but to search out the top zone this season.
And there was additionally undrafted rookie Carson Steele stepping up for the beginning rather than Isiah Pacheco, the Chiefs’ star again who had surgical procedure to restore a fractured fibula. Steele’s audition to stay the crew’s starter with Pacheco out for weeks went properly, as he rushed for 72 yards on 17 carries.
Kansas Metropolis Chiefs vast receiver Rashee Rice (4) scores a landing previous Atlanta Falcons cornerback Dee Alford (20) throughout the first half at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. (Dale Zanine-Imagn Photos)
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For the Falcons, Cousins was 20-for-29 for 230 yards with one landing and one choose. London led the way in which with 67 yards on six catches, however Darnell Mooney is rising as goal for Cousins, as he constructed on his massive day towards the Eagles with eight receptions for 66 yards on this one.
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