The Atlanta Falcons seemed like that they had 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 begin the 2024 season.
Kirk Cousins and the Falcons had been driving with lower than two minutes to play, and so they wanted to seek out the tip 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 nicely once more with a run play on fourth-and-inches, and normally Bijan Robinson is ready to decide up that essential yard.
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Atlanta Falcons broad 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 Photographs)
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 are actually 1-2 on the season.
A crucial second on this sport got here on third-and-five from the Kansas Metropolis 6-yard line on the earlier drive, as Cousins was in search of Kyle Pitts in the course of the tip zone after he initially beat his defender off the objective line.
As Cousins made his move, Pitts jumped within the air to make the catch, however it appeared Bryan Prepare dinner made contact with Pitts too early. Nevertheless, no flags had been on the sector 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 sizzling begin for the Falcons, who had been coming off an exciting win over the Philadelphia Eagles on “Monday Night Football,” as Cousins orchestrated a 70-yard drive for a landing on the workforce’s opening drive this week.
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins (18) fumbles a snap towards the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs in the course of the first half at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. (Dale Zanine-Imagn Photographs)
London, the person Cousins discovered late towards the Eagles for the come-from-behind Week 2 win, was left broad 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 crimson and yellow every week, for the 13-yard landing.
Cousins, although, was capable of shortly 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 tip of the primary half, one in every of 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 objective, 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 in the course of the first quarter at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. (Dale Zanine-Imagn Photographs)
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 sector 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 workforce he gained 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 instances for 110 yards, as he’s the clear No. 1 choice for him within the passing sport. Travis Kelce was the next-best receiver with 4 catches for 30 yards, however he has but to seek out the tip zone this season.
And there was additionally undrafted rookie Carson Steele stepping up for the beginning instead of Isiah Pacheco, the Chiefs’ star again who had surgical procedure to restore a fractured fibula. Steele’s audition to stay the workforce’s starter with Pacheco out for weeks went nicely, as he rushed for 72 yards on 17 carries.
Kansas Metropolis Chiefs broad receiver Rashee Rice (4) scores a landing previous Atlanta Falcons cornerback Dee Alford (20) in the course of the first half at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. (Dale Zanine-Imagn Photographs)
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For the Falcons, Cousins was 20-for-29 for 230 yards with one landing and one decide. London led the best way with 67 yards on six catches, however Darnell Mooney is rising as a superb 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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