Kansas City Chiefs improve to 3-0 with 22-17 road win over Atlanta Falcons

The Kansas City Chiefs remain undefeated three games through the 2024 NFL season after holding off the Atlanta Falcons 22-17 on Sunday.

Just like the first two games of the year, this weekend’s tilt came down to the final moments of the fourth quarter to be decided.

Up by five points following a third quarter touchdown pass from Patrick Mahomes to JuJu Smith-Schuster, the Chiefs’ offense bottomed out in the final 15 minutes, going three-and-out on their final two possessions while the Falcons assembled two long, albeit fruitless drives.

Atlanta took 15 plays to march 83 yards downfield before turning the ball over on downs at Kansas City’s 6-yard line. One drive later, with just over two minutes to play, the Falcons once again got into the red zone before stalling out, with Nick Bolton penetrating the offensive line and blowing up a run play on fourth and inches to seal the victory.

“I was proud of our defense and how they stepped up in the third and fourth quarter,” Chiefs coach Andy Reid said.

Mahomes completed two-thirds of his passes Sunday, going 26-of-39 for 217 yards and two touchdowns with one interception. That’s now four interceptions already this year for Mahomes, the most he’s had through three games to start a season in his career. His five touchdown passes are also his fewest through the first three weeks of a season.

“I feel like I haven’t played very well,” Mahomes said. “That’s not a stats thing, I just feel like I’m missing opportunities whenever they’re out there and not throwing the ball in the exact spot where I want it to be.”

Rashee Rice was the game’s leading receiver with 12 catches for 110 yards and a touchdown, marking his fourth career game with over 100 yards receiving.

With Isiah Pacheco on injured reserve, rookie Carson Steele led all players in rushing with 72 yards on 17 carries.

Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins went 20-of-29 passing for 230 yards, one touchdown and one interception.

The Chiefs are one of just four 3-0 teams through Sunday’s games, joining Minnesota Vikings, the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Seattle Seahawks. The Buffalo Bills can also get to 3-0 if they beat the Jacksonville Jaguars on Monday night.

Kansas City will play its first divisional game of the year next Sunday on the road against the Los Angeles Chargers, who suffered their first loss of the season this weekend against the Steelers. Next Sunday’s game is set for a 3:25 p.m. central time kickoff.

For more coverage of the Kansas City Chiefs, check out 580 Sports Talk weekday afternoons from 3-6 on 580 WIBW.