The Kansas City Chiefs get a bit of a break after opening the season against two top AFC contenders. But they’ll face a new challenge in every sense of the word in Atlanta on “Sunday Night Football.”
As in … a new Falcons coach, new Falcons quarterback and new Falcons vibe after a complete regime change.
Today’s Chiefs-Falcons game is on NBC (KSHB 41 in KC, KSNW 3 in Wichita). It will be broadcast on radio via KFNZ (96.5 FM) and WDAF (106.5 FM) in the KC area, and KNSS (98.7 FM) in the Wichita area.
Chiefs at Falcons: Stats, score and commentary
Follow our running commentary from the Chiefs-Falcons game, as well as stats, play-by-play and live score updates.
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Three storylines for Chiefs-Falcons on SNF
Running backs minus Isiah Pacecho
The running backs will be the position to watch, with Isiah Pacheco set to miss some time due to injury. Carson Steele, the rookie fan-favorite, takes over as RB1. He won’t have his family there to cheer him on … but there’s actually a good reason for that.
Nevertheless, that unit takes a hit without Pacheco’s signature running style. How will the group respond?
Those new-look Atlanta Falcons
The Falcons got their first win of the season on “Monday Night Football” (so they’re on short rest, by the way), but this isn’t your slightly-older-sibling’s Atlanta squad. Bijan Robinson is back after an exciting rookie year, and he’s got a real quarterback now in Kirk Cousins, plus first-year Falcons weapons Darnell Mooney and Ray-Ray McCloud.
The Star’s Jesse Newell pointed out in his game prediction that Cousins, after missing most of last year due to injury, has been noticeably less mobile. That could give the Chiefs one answer in this matchup: pressuring the QB.
Next step for Kingsley Suamataia … or Wanya Morris?
The Chiefs rookie left tackle was benched late in the game against the Bengals, after a long day against one of the NFL’s better pass rushers. Kingsley Suamataia vowed to be better moving forward, but Andy Reid has been noncommittal as to whether it’ll be him or Wanya Morris starting at the left tackle spot.
Either way, it appears that job is up for grabs. Who will win it?
More KC Chiefs coverage…
- In a somewhat surprising move, the Chiefs brought Kareem Hunt back to their practice squad with plans for him to play in future weeks. Star columnist Sam McDowell wrote on the uncomfortable reunion, while Vahe Gregorian shared why the team believes he deserves another chance.
- Chris Jones is having another standout season on the Chiefs defense, even if the statistics don’t necessarily show it. Last week, he made two of the biggest plays of the game without any numbers attached.
- You might have seen the popular conspiracy theory (or theories, at this point) about Patrick Mahomes always getting bailed out by the referees (italics to denote sarcasm). Well, an ESPN writer debunked one of the most popular ones.
