For the 2024 NFL season, team reporter Terrin Waack will provide select stellar stats, obscure facts and notable quotes from the most recent game to show how the Atlanta Falcons are taking flight into the new week.
ATLANTA — The Atlanta Falcons lost 22-17 to the Kansas City Chiefs in a Week 3 "Sunday Night Football" showdown at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in front of 72,441 ticketed fans.
STELLAR STATS
— Chiefs wide receiver Rashee Rice gained 75 of his 110 yards after the catch, according to Next Gen Stats. Rice leads all NFL players in yards after catch this season with 200.
— The Falcons are 31st in time of possession, averaging 24:36 through three games. The Indianapolis Colts are last with a 21:36 average. The San Francisco 49ers, meanwhile, are first with a 35:38 average.
— Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts' 50-yard reception in the second quarter marked the second longest of his career. His longest remains the 61-yard reception he had from former quarterback Matt Ryan in the Falcons' 2021 Week 17 loss to the Buffalo Bills.
— Kicker Younghoe Koo tied his career-long field goal when he made a 54-yard attempt in the fourth quarter. Since joining the Falcons in 2019, Koo has made 24 of his 32 field-goal attempts of 50 yards or longer. That's good for 75%.
OBSCURE FACTS
— For the third game in a row, the Falcons converted two of their nine third-down attempts. Their 22.22% conversion rate on third down ranks 30th behind the Cleveland Browns and Carolina Panthers.
— Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes has thrown 67 interceptions in his career. Fifty seven different defenders have picked him off. After his first-quarter pick, Falcons safety Justin Simmons has now intercepted Mahomes six times. No other player has intercepted Mahomes more than twice, and only five have done that.
— Falcons outside linebacker Matthew Judon did not record a sack, ending a three-game "Sunday Night Football" streak he had going on.
— The 14-yard touchdown pass between quarterback Kirk Cousins and wide receiver Drake London on the opening drive doubled as Atlanta's first first-quarter touchdown of the season. The Falcons have now scored at least once in each quarter. The last time the offense turned a game-opening drive into a touchdown was 2022 Week 11, a win over the Chicago Bears.
QUOTING RAHEEM MORRIS
On officials not calling a defensive pass interference on third-down play in fourth quarter…
"I like my money. I like my money that Arthur Blank gives me. I'm very smart enough to be aware enough to talk about officials. They made the call, or they didn't make the call. It is what it is. We had a chance to win the football game on the last play of the game."
QUOTING THE FALCONS
Quarterback Kirk Cousin
On overall thoughts of the game…
"You snatched defeat from the jaws of victory is kind of how it felt a little bit, if I'm saying that right."
Defensive tackle Grady Jarrett
On the atmosphere in the stadium…
"Oh, man, that atmosphere was awesome. I just wanted the fans to continue to bring it because we're going to get some wins. We've got to be better at home. We've got to protect our home field. There's no excuses."
QUOTING THE OPPONENT
Chiefs head coach Andy Reid
On overall thoughts of the game…
"My hat goes off to Raheem, being a new coach here. The Atlanta Falcons are in great hands. They played hard, aggressive, good football on both side of the ball."
Chiefs defensive end George Karlafatis
On Falcons running back Bijan Robinson…
"He's a great player. We had a lot of respect for him. Not just him, their O-line, their receivers, their quarterback. They're a great team. They were tough to beat."
GAME LEADERS
Top 3 rushers
- Chiefs: Carson Steele | 17 carries for 72 yards
- Falcons: Tyler Allgeier | seven carries for 32 yards
- Falcons: Bijan Robinson | 16 carries for 31 yards and a touchdown
Top 3 receivers
- Chiefs: Rashee Rice | 12 receptions for 110 yards and a touchdown
- Falcons: Drake London | six receptions for 67 yards and a touchdown
- Falcons: Darnell Mooney | eight receptions for 66 yards
Top 3 passers
- Falcons: Kirk Cousins | 20-29 for 230 yards with a touchdown and an interception (sacked twice)
- Chiefs: Patrick Mahomes | 26-39 for 217 yards with two touchdowns and an interception
- N/A
Top 3 defenders
- Falcons: Troy Andersen | 12 total tackles, seven solo
- Chiefs: Chamarri Conner | 10 total tackles, five solo, one interception and two pass breakups
- Falcons: Dee Alford | nine total tackles, six solo
NEXT UP
The Falcons (1-2) have their first NFC South matchup on tap in Week 4 with the New Orleans Saints (2-1) coming to Atlanta on Sunday for a 1 p.m. ET kickoff inside Mercedes-Benz Stadium. FOX will carry the live broadcast.
The Saints are coming off a Week 3 home loss of their own, falling 15-12 to the Philadelphia Eagles.
