Why the Atlanta Falcons will beat the Chiefs on Sunday

The Falcons and Chiefs square for battle in the Georgia Dome Sunday afternoon. In a matchup between two playoff-caliber teams, I’ll tell you why Atlanta will end up victorious.

Both of these teams had a lot to celebrate last week. The Falcons got their offensive groove back en route to a 38-19 smack-down of the Arizona Cardinals. Later that day, Kansas City defeated Denver on a bank-shot field goal to win 30-27 in overtime. Each of them seem to be hitting their stride at the right point in this NFL season. With only 5 games remaining until the playoffs, teams need to be at their sharpest.

This inter-conference tilt will be a fun one. Atlanta comes in averaging a league leading, 32.5 points, while Kansas City sports arguably the most fearsome front-four in football. A lot is riding on this game, with both teams jockeying for playoff position. But, on this given Sunday, I have to go with the Falcons.

A couple factors bring me to this conclusion. Let’s run some of them off; along with a score prediction for fun.

Dome Sweet Dome

The Falcons will be playing in front of the dirty bird faithful for the second straight week. Though the Chiefs are a solid road team, Atlanta just seems to “bring the juice” at home so far this season. The Falcons average an astounding 34.6 points per game at home, with a top-3 offense in terms of statistics. Kansas City, in turn, allows more yards than the Swiss-cheese-like Falcons defense. You see where I’m going with this.

One on One

As long as Atlanta makes brief visits to Marcus Peters’ no fly zone, everything should be fine. “Should be” being the key words there.

A main reason the Chiefs are such a successful team this year is that they have a league-best +14 turnover differential. What makes this even more impressive is that Kansas City also plays the most man coverage out of anyone in the NFL. Unfortunately for KC, the Atlanta Falcons have some of the league’s best one-on-one offensive players. Julio Jones, Taylor Gabriel and Devonta Freeman will make some big plays if they play up to standard.

Dirty Bird Defense

Nothing will determine the outcome of this game more than the matchup of Chiefs offense versus Falcons defense. Both units have had their struggles coming into this week. Kansas City is a paltry 27th in total offense while the Atlanta Falcons give up the 6th-most yards out of any team in the NFL. Something has got to give so it will be interesting to see how Atlanta performs without two of their better defensive players in Desmond Trufant and Adrian Clayborn. This one could be a shootout, but I am counting on a few turnovers going Atlanta’s way to give them just enough to win. Vic Beasley will have a solid day, possibly forcing another fumble or cause enough havoc for Alex Smith to throw a key interception.

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Prediction

This game could honestly go either way and I do not want to take anything away from the Kansas City Chiefs. Andy Reid’s squad has a glowing 8-3 record and are of the more well-coached in the NFL. KC could easily leave Atlanta with a victory…but they won’t.

The Atlanta Falcons have something special brewing this season. I can just, you know, smell it or whatever. After winning in convincing fashion last week, I believe the Falcons carry the momentum over and defeat the Chiefs. I have visions of a thriller, similar to the one we witnessed against San Diego, but even more enjoyable.

Atlanta comes away victorious, 31-28. Matt Bryant seals it late with his golden leg of immunity and the Falcons take another step towards a division championship.