SECOND QUARTER
Kansas City scored a touchdown to tie things up on their first drive of the second quarter, mirroring the Falcons’ first-quarter opening drive.
It took the Chiefs longer than it did the Falcons, and after their scoring drive, they were leading in time of possession: 14:36 to 6:39. That was mainly thanks to Kansas City’s ability to keep drives alive via third-down conversions. The Chiefs had converted four of their five opportunities at this point, whereas the Falcons converted one of their two attempts.
Anywho, Kansas City obtained its touchdown via a 13-yard pass from Mahomes to wide receiver Rashee Rice. Falcons cornerback Dee Alford was trailing Rice when he caught the ball.
Atlanta answered on its following drive, again doing so rather quickly. The Falcons used just five plays for 70 net yards to score their second touchdown. The bulk of those 70 yards came courtesy of Kyle Pitts, who caught a 50-yard pass and dragged Chiefs safety Justin Reid to the 1-yard line. On the next play, running back Bijan Robinson broke through into the end zone on a 1-yard run. INJURY (7:56): During that drive, Falcons right tackle Kaleb McGary was helped off the field by trainers. Storm Norton took his place.
The Falcons’ defense then held the Chiefs to their shortest drive at that point — seven plays for 34 yards. Kicker Harrison Butker made a 53-yard goal after Kansas City failed to convert on a third-and-2 at Atlanta’s 35-yard line. Chiefs running back Samaje Perine was stuffed at the line of scrimmage by Falcons defensive tackles Grady Jarrett and David Onyemata.
Atlanta couldn’t extend its lead from there, becoming the first team to go three-and-out in the game. It could have been worse, though, considering Cousins fumbled after getting hit on a second-and-8. Fortunately for the Falcons, Robinson was able to kick the ball out of bounds before anyone from the Chiefs could pounce. It cost the Falcons a 10-yard penalty but prevented a turnover.
INJURY (2:43): During the Falcons’ drive, center Drew Dalman hopped off the field, putting no weight on his left leg. Ryan Neuzil took his place. … The Falcons announced it was an ankle injury for Dalman, and he was deemed questionable to return.
That gave Kansas City the ball with 1:37 left until halftime.
The Chiefs, too, went three-and-out. Mahomes’ third-down pass to Rice fell incomplete and was nearly intercepted by Falcons safety Jessie Bates III.
That defensive stand by the Falcons was clutch. It prevented the Chiefs from taking a last-minute lead before heading into the locker room.
The positive momentum was short-lived, however. . A Cousins pass intended for London was tipped by Chiefs defensive tackle Tershawn Wharton, caught by safety Chamarri Conner and subsequently handed off to cornerback Jaylen Watson, who returned the ball to the Falcons’ 34-yard line with 32 seconds remaining.
The Chiefs were unable to pick up more than 8 yards, but that got them close enough for Butker to make a 44-yard field goal.
The Falcons went into the locker room with just a 1-point lead.
Chiefs: Patrick Mahomes 13-yard pass to Rashee Rice; PAT good…7-7, ALL
Falcons: Bijan Robinson 1-yard run; PAT good…14-7, ATL
Chiefs: Harrison Butker 53-yard field goal…14-10, ATL
Chiefs: Harrison Butker 44-yard field goal…14-13, ATL
HALFTIME: Falcons 14, Chiefs 13
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