The Kansas City Chiefs defeated the Atlanta Falcons 22-17 in their Week 3 matchup on September 22, 2024, in Atlanta. This was a game of determination for both teams, with Kansas City finally outlasting their opponents during the second half of the game to keep their undefeated record intact.
Key Players and Stats:
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| Key Players and Stats |
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Kansas City Chiefs:
Patrick Mahomes: The Chiefs star quarterback was 26-for-39 for 217 yards, threw two touchdowns, and had one pick. His main targets were Rashee Rice and JuJu Smith-Schuster, of which the former had a 13-yard touchdown catch. Smith-Schuster got another 13-yard touchdown from Mahomes sometime later. Mahomes ran for 17 yards on six tries to add to the usual bit of everything he does.
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Harrison Butker: The Chiefs kicker was vital in the win as he booted three field goals in the game, including a long 53-yarder, along with two more from 44 and 21 yards out.
Rushing Attack:Carson Steele spearheaded the ground attack with 72 yards on 17 carries. Samaje Perine added 25 yards on six attempts.
Kirk Cousins: Traded for this offseason, Cousins had a pretty pedestrian day, completing 20 of 29 for 229 yards with one touchdown and one interception. The pivotal one was early when Cousins connected with Drake London on a 14-yard touchdown pass in the first quarter.
Bijan Robinson The first-year running back had an extremely quiet day for his standards, although he did have a one-yard rushing score, adding to his 46 yards on the ground off 16 carries.
Defense: Atlanta's defense, with Grady Jarrett at the helm, managed to hold Kansas City to just one second-half score, despite failing to hold down Mahomes and the Chiefs' passing game.
Team Stats and Analysis:
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| Team Stats and Analysis |
Total Yards: The Kansas City Chief outgained the Atlanta Falcons 345 total yards to 311. The Chiefs were balanced on offense with 217 passing and 128 rushing yards, while Atlanta could only must 82 yards on the ground.
Efficiency: KC had a better third-down conversion percentage, going 6-for-14 compared to the Falcons being 2-for-9. The Falcons also could not convert on key fourth downs, going just 1-for-3.
Possession: The key determining factor was the game clock controlled by the Chiefs, as they possessed the ball for almost 35 minutes in order to wear down the Falcons' defense.
Turning Points:
It turned in Kansas City's favor in the second half. The Chiefs took a lead after Harrison Butker's two field goals in the second quarter that they would not give away. A third-quarter touchdown catch by JuJu Smith-Schuster extended it further, but a late 54-yard field goal by Falcons kicker Younghoe Koo pulled them within five points. Eventually, the Falcons were unable to make a final push to take the lead.
The Kansas City defensive line held down the Atlanta rushing game, making them one-dimensional by having to throw the football via Cousins' arm. Meanwhile, Mahomes and the Chiefs remained poised, able to methodically move the ball to secure the win.