For the first time in three years, the voices of Mike Tirico and Cris Colinsworth made their way to Atlanta, where the Falcons took on the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday Night Football.
Atlanta started the scoring early, with newly acquired veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins delivering a strike to a wide-open Drake London in the endzone. The Chiefs, led by two-time MVP Patrick Mahomes, looked like they were going to answer with a touchdown. However, Atlanta’s Justin Simmons intercepted Mahomes for the sixth time in his career, putting an end to KC’s attack.
The Chiefs would end up tying the score 7-7 on the very next possession after Rashee Rice scored from 13 yards out. After a Bijan Robinson touchdown, Harrison Butker would knock home a pair of field goals, including one right before halftime, to bring the Chiefs within one point with a 14-13 score at the break.
Fast forward to the fourth quarter, and Kansas City led Atlanta 22-17. Cousins, who delivered a magical two-minute drill for the Falcons last week against the Philadelphia Eagles, was tasked with another chance to be a hero for Atlanta. Cousins drove the Falcons all the way to the Kansas City 13-yard line when on 4th-and-1, Kansas City’s Nick Bolton hammered Bijan Robinson in the backfield to effectively win the game for the Chiefs.
This game carries a lot of significance, especially for the Falcons, with controversial calls and important injuries scattered throughout the affair.
The Falcons have developed a reputation as one of the most run-heavy offenses in the NFL. Tyler Allgeier and Bijan Robinson highlight a dangerous running game for Atlanta. Still, the two backs would not be nearly as successful without the help of one of the league’s best run-blocking offensive lines. The O-line is led by center Drew Dalman and tackle Kaleb McGary. Unfortunately, both were injured during the game, resulting in a lack of run production: just 82 yards and a 3.3 yards per carry average. McGary is considered day-to-day, while Dalman will hit the injured reserve list, ensuring he will be out for at least four weeks.
Perhaps the most controversial call so far this season occurred midway through the fourth quarter. Cousins dropped back to pass in the red zone with his team trailing by five. The veteran QB fired a dart to tight end Kyle Pitts, who had a defender draped on him. The pass fell incomplete, and no flag for pass interference was thrown by the referee. The Falcons would go on to score zero points that drive, which would end up being a key reason the Falcons did not come out on top.
After the loss, the Falcons dropped to 1-2 and will face their division rivals, the New Orleans Saints, next. Meanwhile, the Chiefs soar to 3-0 ahead of their divisional date against the Los Angeles Chargers. Catch both games on Sunday, Sept. 29.