Rich von Biberstein/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
The Kansas Chiefs remained undefeated after a tight 22-17 win over the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday night.
While the Falcons led for most of the first half, the Chiefs remained within striking distance before taking the lead on the first drive of the second half thanks to a field goal from Harrison Butker. Kansas City then made it a 22-14 lead on a touchdown pass from Patrick Mahomes to JuJu Smith-Schuster.
Atlanta cut into the lead with a field goal early in the fourth, but that would be its final points of the game. Kirk Cousins led the Falcons down the field in an attempt at a game-winning drive, but a questionable call on fourth and short meant Atlanta turned it over on downs to seal the game for the Chiefs.
NFL @NFL
Chiefs get the stop on fourth down!!!!
📺: #KCvsATL on NBC/Peacock
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/5aUfSMdG6o
After coming up short on the crucial fourth down, fans were disappointed with head coach Raheem Morris, offensive coordinator Zac Robinson and Atlanta’s coaching staff.
Steve Wyche @wyche89
That was your game on the line play call??!! pic.twitter.com/CoFLlbI19T
Chris Vannini @ChrisVannini
Falcons ran off-tackle to a side where there were more defenders than blockers. pic.twitter.com/FeMRMJJTDh
Hardcore Doughty @calstanvard
Chiefs do everything possible to let the Falcons win but Atlanta calls the dumbest play on 4th and inches with the game on the line. They call a sweep to the outside with their slow lumbering RB instead of one of the most athletic humans on planet earth. Falcons deserve to lose.
The Falcons faced a similar situation a week ago as they trailed the Philadelphia Eagles late, and Cousins led Atlanta 70 yards down the field to score and win the game. The magic from last week’s win ran out on Sunday.
It was just Morris’ third game as the Falcons’ head coach, but he already has a moment to learn from moving forward.
Aside from the questionable play-calling late in the fourth quarter, the Falcons held their own against the defending champs, which is a positive sign for a team in the middle of a rebuild. Cousins, who had a rough debut for Atlanta in Week 1, is finding his groove and had 230 passing yards and a touchdown on Sunday.
But there’s clearly still work to do for the Falcons, and they’ll get the chance to bounce back against their NFC South rival next week when they take on the New Orleans Saints.
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