Whereas Bolton’s game-winning play was unimaginable, the choice by the Falcons was curious, to say the least. Needing only some inches to achieve a brand new set of downs and doubtlessly 4 photographs on the endzone, Atlanta outsmarted itself by calling a lateral run, which went nowhere.
Nonetheless, the Falcons might have misplaced the sport throughout their earlier possession, which additionally ended on downs, this time on the Chiefs’ six-yard line. Trailing by the identical rating, 22-17, with 4:53 left within the fourth quarter, Atlanta handed on a subject purpose earlier than turning the ball over after failing to transform on fourth-and-5.
That call left the Falcons with no selection however to chase factors on their closing drive. Hindsight is 20/20, however had Atlanta merely kicked the simple subject purpose across the five-minute mark, it will have solely wanted three factors to win as a substitute of six.
Every week after recording a miraculous late-game win in Week 2 over the Philadelphia Eagles, the Falcons returned to earth, falling to 1-2. Conversely, the Chiefs are using excessive, having pulled off one other victory, which may have simply as simply been a loss.
Kansas Metropolis survived a fourth-quarter comeback in a season-opening 27-20 win over the Baltimore Ravens earlier than rallying late to sneak previous the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 2, 26-25. The Chiefs might have had luck on their facet in opposition to the Falcons, however they made performs on either side of the ball when wanted.
In addition to Bolton’s game-winning cease, Kansas Metropolis’s protection was strong total. The unit compelled one turnover, resulting in a subject purpose earlier than halftime, whereas holding Atlanta to solely three second-half factors.
In the meantime, the Chiefs’ offense did sufficient to win. Quarterback Patrick Mahomes completed 26-of-39 for 217 yards with two touchdowns and an interception, whereas wideout Rashee Rice posted a profession outing, recording 110 yards off 12 receptions (9.2 YPA).
