Kansas City Chiefs vs Atlanta Falcons Match Player Stats (Sept 22, 2024)
Another Sunday, another nail-biter for the Kansas City Chiefs. The reigning champs escaped Atlanta with a 22-17 victory in Week 3, improving to 3-0 while the game hung in the balance until the final minute. The Kansas City Chiefs vs Atlanta Falcons match player stats reveal a contest that came down to a few clutch defensive stops and timely offensive plays.
Table of Contents
Game Flow: Atlanta Strong Early, KC Takes Control
Steve Sarkisian’s Falcons started hot at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, grabbing a 7-0 lead when Kirk Cousins hit Drake London for a 14-yard score. The opening salvo capped an impressive opening drive that had the home crowd fired up.
Andy Reid’s Chiefs responded, but not before a costly red zone misstep. Mahomes led a marathon 17-play drive that chewed up over 8 minutes, only to throw a pick to Justin Simmons in the end zone.
The scoring pattern shows the ebb and flow:
| Team | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | Final |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chiefs | 0 | 13 | 9 | 0 | 22 |
| Falcons | 7 | 7 | 0 | 3 | 17 |
KC finally broke through in the second quarter when Mahomes connected with Rashee Rice for a 13-yard touchdown. Atlanta countered with a Bijan Robinson 1-yard plunge to retake the lead at 14-7. Harrison Butker trimmed the deficit with two field goals (53, 44) before halftime.
The Chiefs seized control in the third with a 21-yard chip shot from Butker and a 13-yard touchdown pass to JuJu Smith-Schuster. Butker’s missed PAT kept things interesting at 22-14.
Younghoe Koo’s 54-yard bomb in the fourth pulled Atlanta within five, setting up a dramatic finish.
Mahomes Not Perfect, Still Adds to Legacy
The NFL Week 3 player statistics Chiefs Falcons matchup shows Patrick Mahomes wasn’t exactly lighting up the stat sheet in this one. The three-time Super Bowl MVP finished 26-of-39 for a modest 217 yards with two touchdowns and one interception.
“You’re seeing a lot of teams play us with deep shells, not wanting to give up the big play,” Mahomes explained after the game to reporters at Chiefs.com. “We have to be patient.”
The victory gave Mahomes his 77th regular-season win, pushing him past Tom Brady for most victories through a quarterback’s first 100 starts.
Rice Cooks Atlanta Secondary
While Mahomes was solid, second-year receiver Rashee Rice was spectacular. Rice torched the Falcons secondary with 12 catches for 110 yards and a touchdown.
“He’s becoming a legitimate No. 1 receiver in this league,” Mahomes said of Rice.
Rice’s precise route-running repeatedly gave Atlanta fits, especially on crucial third downs where he converted multiple chain-movers.
Key Offensive Statistics Breakdown
The offensive player stats Kansas City Atlanta game provided plenty to analyze:
Chiefs Offensive Production:
| Player | Comp/Att | Pass Yds | Pass TD | INT | Rating | Rush Att | Rush Yds | Rec | Tgt | Rec Yds | Rec TD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mahomes | 26/39 | 217 | 2 | 1 | 87.2 | 6 | 17 | – | – | – | – |
| Steele | – | – | – | – | – | 17 | 72 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Perine | – | – | – | – | – | 6 | 25 | 3 | 4 | 15 | 0 |
| Rice | – | – | – | – | – | 1 | 1 | 12 | 14 | 110 | 1 |
| Kelce | – | – | – | – | – | 0 | 0 | 4 | 5 | 30 | 0 |
| Smith-Schuster | – | – | – | – | – | 0 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 17 | 1 |
| Worthy | – | – | – | – | – | 3 | 13 | 2 | 4 | 17 | 0 |
| Gray | – | – | – | – | – | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 13 | 0 |
| Watson | – | – | – | – | – | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 13 | 0 |
With Isiah Pacheco sidelined (broken leg), rookie Carson Steele handled the bulk of the carries, rushing 17 times for 72 yards. His tough running style kept the chains moving and gave KC some offensive balance.
Falcons Offensive Numbers:
| Player | Comp/Att | Pass Yds | Pass TD | INT | Rating | Rush Att | Rush Yds | Rush TD | Rec | Tgt | Rec Yds | Rec TD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cousins | 20/29 | 230 | 1 | 1 | 89.7 | 1 | -1 | 0 | – | – | – | – |
| Robinson | – | – | – | – | – | 16 | 31 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 21 | 0 |
| Allgeier | – | – | – | – | – | 7 | 32 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| McCloud | – | – | – | – | – | 1 | 20 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 17 | 0 |
| London | – | – | – | – | – | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 9 | 67 | 1 |
| Mooney | – | – | – | – | – | 0 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 8 | 66 | 0 |
| Pitts | – | – | – | – | – | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 5 | 59 | 0 |
Kirk Cousins posted a respectable line even while facing constant pressure, completing 20-of-29 for 230 yards with one touchdown and one interception.
Drake London continued his breakout trajectory, hauling in 6 passes for 67 yards and a score. The performance made him the fastest player in Falcons history to reach 150 career receptions.
Darnell Mooney was Mr. Reliable, catching all 8 of his targets for 66 yards.
Bolton, Chiefs Defense Steal the Show
While the offensive numbers were respectable, this game turned on the Chiefs defensive standouts vs Falcons in critical moments, particularly linebacker Nick Bolton.
The defensive player stats Falcons Chiefs matchup highlighted two critical fourth-down stops deep in Kansas City territory during the final quarter:
- With Atlanta threatening at the KC 6-yard line on 4th-and-5, Bryan Cook broke up a pass intended for Kyle Pitts in the end zone.
- With just 56 seconds remaining and the Falcons at the KC 13-yard line, Bolton exploded into the backfield on 4th-and-1 to drop Bijan Robinson for a 3-yard loss, effectively ending the game.
“What a phenomenal play,” Andy Reid said about Bolton’s game-clincher in his post-game press conference.
Bolton finished with 8 tackles, including 3 for loss. Safety Chamarri Conner also came up huge with an interception off a Tershawn Wharton deflection that set up a critical field goal.
Falcons O-Line Injuries Changed Everything
The impact of Falcons OL injuries on Kirk Cousins stats became the game’s turning point when Atlanta lost two starting offensive linemen in the second quarter.
Center Drew Dalman and right tackle Kaleb McGary both exited with injuries, forcing backups into action against an elite Chiefs front. The results were predictable: Cousins faced relentless pressure, absorbing 2 sacks and 10 additional QB hits.
“The patchwork Falcons offensive line struggled to protect Kirk Cousins,” noted CBS Sports in their game breakdown.
Perhaps most telling was the effect on star running back Bijan Robinson, who was completely bottled up, managing just 31 yards on 16 carries for a paltry 1.9 yards per attempt.
Statistical Tale of the Tape
The Chiefs vs Falcons box score September 22 2024 shows just how close this contest was across most categories:
| Statistic | Chiefs | Falcons |
|---|---|---|
| Total Yards | 345 | 311 |
| Passing Yards | 217 | 229 |
| Rushing Yards | 128 | 82 |
| Yards Per Play | 4.8 | 5.6 |
| First Downs | 22 | 19 |
| 3rd Down Efficiency | 6/14 (42.9%) | 2/9 (22.2%) |
| 4th Down Efficiency | 1/1 (100%) | 1/3 (33.3%) |
| Time of Possession | 34:57 | 25:03 |
| Turnovers | 1 | 1 |
| Red Zone TD Efficiency | 2/4 (50%) | 2/4 (50%) |
| Penalties | 6-61 | 6-44 |
| Sacks By | 2 | 0 |
The difference makers? Time of possession and third-down efficiency. Kansas City dominated the clock, holding the ball nearly 10 minutes longer than Atlanta. The Chiefs also converted 42.9% of third downs compared to just 22.2% for the Falcons.
Game-Changing Moments
Key turnovers Chiefs Falcons Week 3 shifted momentum at critical junctures:
First Quarter: Simmons’ interception in the end zone prevented an early Chiefs lead after a mammoth drive.
Second Quarter: Conner’s interception of Cousins (on a Wharton tip) set up Butker’s 44-yard field goal just before halftime, trimming Atlanta’s lead to 14-13.
Third Quarter: Smith-Schuster’s 13-yard touchdown reception gave KC a lead they wouldn’t relinquish, though Butker’s missed PAT kept things tight.
Fourth Quarter: The Chiefs defense delivered when it mattered most, with two red zone stops, including Bolton’s game-sealing tackle for loss.
Special Teams Impact
The kicking game provided its own drama:
Chiefs Special Teams:
- Harrison Butker: 3/3 FG (53, 44, 21 yards), 1/2 PAT
- Matt Araiza: 3 punts, 48.3-yard average
Falcons Special Teams:
- Younghoe Koo: 1/1 FG (54 yards), 2/2 PAT
- Bradley Pinion: 3 punts, 54.0-yard average
Butker was nearly perfect, converting three critical field goals, though his missed extra point kept Atlanta within striking distance.
| Player | Stats |
|---|---|
| Harrison Butker | 3/3 FG (53, 44, 21 yards), 1/2 PAT |
| Matt Araiza | 3 punts, 48.3-yard average |
| Player | Stats |
|---|---|
| Younghoe Koo | 1/1 FG (54 yards), 2/2 PAT |
| Bradley Pinion | 3 punts, 54.0-yard average |
What This Result Means Going Forward
The Atlanta Falcons vs Kansas City Chiefs game analysis points to several key takeaways:
For the Chiefs (3-0):
- The defense has now held opponents under 28 points in 24 consecutive games, a remarkable NFL streak
- Rashee Rice is emerging as the true WR1 they’ve needed
- The ground game functions adequately even without Pacheco
- Close calls continue to go their way, but they can’t rely on narrow escapes every week
For the Falcons (1-2):
- O-line depth is a glaring issue needing immediate attention
- Bijan Robinson requires better blocking and scheme adjustments against elite defenses
- Falcons offensive struggles Chiefs game boiled down to third-down execution (just 22.2% against KC)
- Cousins shows promise but needs better protection
Common Fan Questions Answered
How did Mahomes look against the Falcons secondary?
Mahomes was efficient without being spectacular, throwing for 217 yards and 2 TDs. Atlanta’s secondary largely prevented explosive plays, forcing Mahomes to take underneath throws. His history against the Falcons remains perfect, though this wasn’t his most dominant performance.
Who stepped up in Pacheco’s absence?
Carson Steele shouldered the load admirably, grinding out 72 yards on 17 carries. The undrafted rookie showed good vision and toughness between the tackles, helping Kansas City maintain offensive balance without their starter.
What happened to the Falcons’ promising start?
Two things derailed Atlanta’s early momentum: offensive line injuries and poor third-down execution. Losing two starting linemen in the second quarter completely changed the protection schemes and run-blocking effectiveness. Converting just 2-of-9 third downs prevented them from sustaining drives.
How did Bijan Robinson perform against the KC front?
Robinson had nowhere to run all night, managing just 31 yards on 16 carries (1.9 YPC). KC’s defensive front, particularly linebacker Nick Bolton, consistently won at the line of scrimmage. The final play epitomized Robinson’s night, as Bolton stuffed him for a loss on the critical 4th-and-1.
What’s behind the Chiefs’ knack for winning close games?
It’s a combination of elite defensive talent making clutch plays, Mahomes’ calm under pressure, and Andy Reid’s game management. The Chiefs have perfected the art of situational football, particularly in the fourth quarter when games are on the line.
Did Kyle Pitts bounce back from his slow start to the season?
Not entirely. While Pitts did have a 50-yard reception that set up a touchdown, he finished with just 2 catches on 5 targets for 59 yards. He also had a crucial end zone target broken up on 4th down that could have changed the outcome.
Final Takeaway
The Chiefs Falcons final score and highlights from this Week 3 showdown prove why Kansas City remains the class of the NFL. Not always dominant, but clutch when it matters. The Falcons showed they can hang with the best but must find more consistency to turn promising performances into victories.
This game showed that stats aren’t everything in football. Sometimes, the game comes down to who makes the plays in the biggest moments. On this Sunday in Atlanta, that was the Chiefs defense, delivering another tense victory for the defending champs.
The Kansas City Chiefs vs Atlanta Falcons match player stats will be remembered most for those two clutch defensive stands in the final quarter that preserved the win.
