Falcons vs Chiefs: Writers' Week 3 predictions ahead of return to Atlanta

From pop culture, the sports landscape, or the world as a whole, a lot has changed since Dec. 4, 2016. That marks the Kansas City Chiefs' last road game against the Atlanta Falcons in the long-gone Georgia Dome. A 29-28 victory for the Chiefs featured running back Spencer Ware, safety Eric Berry, and wide receiver Albert Wilson helping in Kansas City's scoring efforts. All those players, and several others from the 2016 Chiefs roster, have long moved on from the NFL so a new crowd of Chiefs has a chance to make a winning impact in Atlanta.

The Chiefs have handled business through two weeks, much to the chagrin of Baltimore Ravens and Cincinnati Bengals fans. Both teams are winless with an uphill climb in their own division, while Kansas City is the unquestioned best team in the league. Kansas City is not perfect, but can absolutely put some doubts and concerns to bed in this inter-conference tilt.

How will Kansas City Chiefs perform against Atlanta Falcons on the road?

Despite two tough opponents, our writers are undefeated as well through two weeks. Will that continue in Week 3? Or could the Falcons make a massive statement by upsetting the Chiefs?

Christian Ainsworth (1-0)
Week 3 against the Falcons presents an interesting opportunity for Kansas City. Even though the Chiefs have proven time and time again that they are much better than their competition, still some doubt their legitimacy. Mahomes had a down week against the Bengals, Kelce is due for a big game, and the defense is starting to mesh... heads are about to roll.
Chiefs 38, Falcons 20

Patrick Allen (2-0)
The Chiefs are in a bit of trouble offensively. With Hollywood Brown and now Isiah Pacheco on injured reserve and Xavier Worthy being a rookie, the Chiefs need to lean on Rashee Rice and Travis Kelce to keep things rolling. Kelce has been a non-factor so far this season but I expect the Chiefs to make an effort to get him going on the road in Atlanta.
Chiefs 24, Falcons 23

Tyler Brown (2-0)
If I were the Falcons, I would be centering my game plan around Kyle Pitts after seeing the Bengals and Ravens go for 276 yards on the Chiefs at that tight end position. Spags will need to put his safeties and linebackers in better positions to succeed in the middle of the field here moving forward. Bijan Robinson is a problem at running back as well but the Chiefs have only allowed 57 yards per game and 3.8 yards per carry to running backs thus far. At the end of the day, I think the Chiefs can muster enough points to walk out with a win, but the Falcons could be salty coming off a dramatic win over the Eagles.
Chiefs 26, Falcons 20

Price Carter (2-0)
In May if I told you the Chiefs went 2-0 against the Bengals and Ravens with big days from Xavier Worthy and Kingsley Suamataia as the starting left tackle, you'd have been thrilled. Despite all that it does feel like there's lots of concern. The Falcons woke up on Monday night and Kirk Cousins has gained some mobility back. In primetime, I don't expect them to come flat. The Chiefs are the better team but I expect it to be tight especially if the defense cannot control Kyle Pitts or Bijan Robinson.
Chiefs 28, Falcons 25

Maxwell Cashio (1-0)
With two, let's call them weird, wins under our belts, can the Chiefs finally strike with some aggression and leave no doubt in their victory? Let's see a good defensive outing and an offensive aerial attack that finally shows up in the early weeks of this title defense.
Chiefs 35, Falcons 21

Matt Conner (2-0)
If you’re going to face an older quarterback coming off of Achilles surgery and recovery, you want to do so in the sooner-than-later segment of that timeline because that means Kirk Cousins will be that much less mobile, much less trusting, much more concerned with the defense. Note the progression from Week 1 to Week 2 for this offense. Spags knows exactly what to do in such an instance.
Chiefs 24, Falcons 12

Josh Fann
Kansas City may look rough around the edges in some areas to start the year, but they're 2-0 after facing two of the best teams the AFC has to offer. The Falcons are a nice change of pace as they're not an impressive team and have a lot of issues in the secondary which gives the Chiefs offense a chance to find a better rhythm. Atlanta's skill positions are likely be a handful, but Kansas City should win easily in their first prime time game of the year.

Chiefs 27, Falcons 17

Braden Holecek (2-0)
Atlanta's veteran additions of Matthew Judon, Jessie Bates and Justin Simmons have stood out early on defensively. The Falcons have been able to get home with different stunts and twists. After a shaky game against the Bengals, largely Trey Hendrickson, can Kansas City's blocking unit bounce back? I expect Patrick Mahomes will be looking to attack with aggression after making some poor decisions last game. How will the Isiah Pacheco absence look early on in the backfield? I'm excited to see how Carson Steele is used, while Kingsley Suamataia looking to rebound is worth monitoring as well. The overall offensive performance is what I'm watching for.
Chiefs 31, Falcons 19

Scott Loring (2-0)
Through two weeks, the Chiefs have allowed opposing tight ends to 276 yards on 25 receptions. That's far and away the worst in the NFL. Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts is going to be an important player to watch on Sunday night. With the Chiefs left tackle situation in flux, the Falcons front seven will keep this one close. It's going to be a low-scoring event, and the Chiefs will have more questions to answer on Monday morning.
Falcons 20, Chiefs 16

Jacob Milham (2-0)
The Falcons beat the Chiefs in their last meeting, all the way back in 2020. That history shouldn't play a factor in what should be a defensive battle in the South. Atlanta has yet to allow a 100-yard rusher, 200-yard passer, or 100-yard receiver through two games this season. With the Isiah Pacheco injury, Kansas City is unlikely to change that first marker. I trust Patrick Mahomes more than Justin Fields and Jalen Hurts though, but nothing will come easy. The Chiefs' defense will have to step up plenty, but two or three drives will make this a solid win, even if the final score doesn't show it.
Chiefs 21, Falcons 13

Shawn O'Brate (2-0)
After a thrilling win on MNF I don’t know how much of Atlanta’s team will be feeling 100%, but without Pacheco and with a LT that had to be pulled from the Cincy game I think it’s pretty evenly matched. With that said, this game was always going to be close because that’s just what Kansas City does and because every team gives the back to back champs 150% on the field. I’m predicting a big game from Kelce, trying to silence the haters and prove he’s still TE1. Perhaps 7-9 catches for ~100 yards and at least one TD.
Chiefs 27, Falcons 20

Stacy D. Smith (2-0)
The Kansas City Chiefs return to the national stage in a Week 3 matchup with the 1-1 Atlanta Falcons. With Isiah Pacheco out for the foreseeable future, the Chiefs' run game will struggle on Sunday despite the Falcons owning the league's 30th-ranked run defense. I like Mahomes and company on turf though and think the Chiefs offense will be a bit smoother on Sunday night. Pat has a cleaner game, Xavier Worthy gets another big play for six, and the Chiefs win.
Chiefs 24, Falcons 17

Lucas Strozinsky (2-0)
After a poor showing in Week 2, expect Patrick Mahomes to redeem himself in primetime. The last time he agreed a Raheem Morris defense, he went off for over 300 yards in a Chiefs win over the Rams in 2022. The Falcons have struggled to generate pressure from the edge, so both tackle spots holding up is obviously important. On defense, the plan is simple: Pressure Kirk Cousins.
Chiefs 29, Falcons 21