The Atlanta Falcons looked like they had more magic in the fourth quarter, but Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Nick Bolton sealed it with a 22-17 victory to stay unbeaten until the start of the 2024 season.
Kirk Cousins and the Falcons were driving with under two minutes left and needed to get to the end zone this time to beat the Chiefs after failing to do so on their previous drive.
After failing to score on third-and-1 at the Kansas City 13-yard line, the Falcons had another opportunity on fourth-and-in with a running play that would normally see Bijan Robinson get the crucial yardage.
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Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Darnell Mooney (1) is tackled by Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Nick Bolton (32) during the first quarter at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. (Brett Davis-Imagn Images)
But Bolton saw the play unfold and jumped out, tackling Robinson for a three-yard loss and a down for the Falcons.
Patrick Mahomes took a knee for the rest of the game to make the Chiefs up 3-0 and seal the game. The Falcons fell to 1-2 on the season.
The game's defining moment came on third down and 5 from the Kansas City 6-yard line on the previous drive, when Cousins first blew past a defender on the goal line before finding Kyle Pitts in the middle of the end zone.
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When Cousins made the pass, Pitts jumped into the air to make the catch, but Brian Cook appeared to make contact with Pitts too early. However, there was no flag on the field and the Chiefs took advantage.
On fourth down and six, the Falcons were unable to score a touchdown when Cousins' pass to Drake London, who had scored earlier in the game, fell to the ground, forcing the Falcons to give the ball back to the Chiefs after 15 drives in a 22-17 loss.
Fresh off an emotional win over the Philadelphia Eagles on Monday Night Football, the Falcons got off to a strong start this week with Cousins orchestrating a 70-yard touchdown drive on the team's opening drive.
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins (18) fumbled during the first half of the game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. (Dale Zanin – Imag Images)
The man Cousins found late in the come-from-behind win over the Eagles in Week 2, Rondon, was completely free in the end zone after the Chiefs' defense was breached, and Younghoe Koo's extra point to make it 7-0 was the easiest score Cousins has seen in the NFL.
But Mahomes found his favorite target every week, Ruchy Rice in a red-and-yellow uniform, for a 13-yard touchdown to tie the Falcons on the scoreboard.
However, Cousins was able to quickly counterattack the Chiefs by running 50 yards to the Kansas City 1-yard line, thanks to a great catch-and-run by talented tight end Kyle Pitts, where Bijan Robinson scored from 1 yard out to give the Chiefs the lead again.
The Chiefs added two field goals before the half ended, one of which came from Cousins, who threw an interception with under a minute left in the game.
Kansas City took the lead again on a Harrison Butker field goal on its first drive of the second half, but Mahomes' second touchdown of the game put Atlanta within 22-14 late in the third quarter.
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) throws a pass against the Atlanta Falcons during the first quarter at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. (Dale Zanin – Imag Images)
The drive lasted just over six minutes and ended with JuJu Smith-Schuster racing down the middle of the field and Mahomes catching a 13-yard touchdown pass. It was Smith-Schuster's first points of the season since returning to the Super Bowl-winning team two years ago, and it proved to be the game-winning score.
The box score listed Mahomes as having 217 passing yards, two touchdowns and one interception, including a drive-killer in the end zone when Justin Simmons stepped in to get a pass to tight end Noah Gray.
Mahomes passed to Rice 12 times for 110 yards, and Rice is clearly his No. 1 choice in the passing game. Travis Kelce was the next-best receiver with four catches for 30 yards, but he has yet to reach the end zone this season.
Undrafted rookie Carson Steele also started in place of star Chiefs back Isaiah Pacheco, who had surgery to repair a fractured fibula. With Pacheco sidelined for a few weeks, Steele's audition to remain the team's star went well, rushing 17 times for 72 yards.
Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Rushe Rice (4) scores a touchdown over Atlanta Falcons cornerback Dee Alford (20) during the first half at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. (Dale Zanin – Imag Images)
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For the Falcons, Cousins completed 20 of 29 passes for 230 yards, one touchdown and one interception. London led the team with six catches for 67 yards, but Darnell Mooney has emerged as a good target for Cousins after coming off a big game against the Eagles with eight catches for 66 yards.
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