Atlanta Things To See category interest

After a two-win home stand to start the season, the (2-0) Kansas City Chiefs are traveling to play the (1-1) Atlanta Falcons in Mercedes-Benz Stadium in the Week 3 edition of “Sunday Night Football.” Kickoff is set for 7:20 p.m. Arrowhead time.

It will be a tough test for the Chiefs and their young roster. The Falcons will be using this primetime opportunity to honor owner Arthur Blank. He will be inducted into their ring of honor. The team will be offering complimentary concessions as part of the celebration.

If free food doesn’t fuel a rowdy crowd, Week 2’s comeback win over the Philadelphia Eagles on “Monday Night Football” has surely given Atlanta energy.

While Kansas City has narrowly escaped with victories in the first two weeks, the margins on the road will be slimmer — especially with one big injury on the Chiefs’ offense. That’s where we begin five things to watch on Sunday night.

1. The backfield without Isiah Pacheco

Starting running back Isiah Pacheco is out for an extended period after fracturing his fibula in Week 2. In response, the team signed practice squad back Keaontay Ingram to the active roster and signed former Kansas City running back Kareem Hunt to the practice squad.

Hunt may generate the most excitement among Chiefs’ fans, but undrafted rookie Carson Steele is likely to get the first opportunity to fill Pacheco’s role. In the preseason, Steele’s downhill running style forced nine missed tackles over 11 rushes; 81 of his 87 rushing yards came after contact.

Veteran back Samaje Perine profiles as the passing-down back to complement the starter, but he could see more overall work, too. In 2023, he averaged 4.5 yards per carry over 53 rushes for the Denver Broncos.

However the Chiefs dice up the backfield snaps, there should be chances to make plays. Atlanta has allowed 323 rushing yards over the first two weeks after facing the league’s fourth-most rushing attempts.

2. Corralling the Falcons’ playmakers

On every snap, the Atlanta offense gives defenses a lot to think about. It starts with running back Bijan Robinson, who has averaged 5.7 yards per touch over the NFL’s ninth-most opportunities. He will put a lot of pressure on Kansas City’s linebackers, who will need to make sound tackles in the running lanes and keep track of him on passing plays.

On the outside, wide receiver Drake London will command attention from the Chiefs’ best in third-down and red zone situations — but he also plays a part in Atlanta’s strong rushing attack. That’s what Chiefs’ defensive backs coach Dave Merritt noted from studying London.

“Drake is a pretty daggone good blocker. He reminds me of an old Hines Ward, throwback-type blocker,” Merritt told reporters in a press conference on Thursday. “The No. 1 thing we’ve been working on this week is making sure we take care of the first contact — which is our pressure key. Then we can get to the running back.”

The Chiefs also need to have eyes on tight end Kyle Pitts, a unique athlete at a position the team has struggled to contain during the first two games.

3. Challenging an experienced Atlanta secondary

The Falcons have talented veterans in the back end who have specific experience against Kansas City quarterback Patrick Mahomes. Free safety Jessie Bates was part of the Cincinnati Bengals’ defense that upset the 2021 Chiefs in the AFC Championship — and strong safety Justin Simmons has five career interceptions against Mahomes. That’s the most of any NFL defender.

Cornerback A.J. Terrell joins this duo to form a disciplined, sound coverage unit. Kansas City offensive coordinator Matt Nagy has seen it on film.

“They keep a lot of things in front of them,” he said during Thursday’s press conference. “Against Philadelphia, they did a really good job of tackling. They’re physical. They understand the scheme... For us, it’s about, ‘How do we play fast?’”

The Bengals’ sound coverage got the best of Mahomes in Week 2, throwing off his timing (and comfort) while throwing from the pocket. If there are similar issues in Atlanta, alarm bells could start ringing.

4. Blitzing Kirk Cousins

The Chiefs’ pass rush should have a much more straightforward job in Week 3. Unlike the first two quarterbacks the defense has faced, Kirk Cousins is a disciplined pocket passer — especially as he deals with reduced mobility from an Achilles injury. He is determined to get the ball out from a certain position at a certain time. Kansas City will have to disrupt that rhythm.

It won’t be easy. The Falcons’ offensive line is a strong unit that has allowed only three sacks this season. At the same time, the offense faces pressure on 36% of its dropbacks — the league’s ninth-highest rate. Cousins has only two interceptions this season — and both came under pressure.

This is why the Chiefs may manufacture pressure with blitzes even more often than usual. For those to get home, the defense will need lockdown coverage from cornerback Trent McDuffie and others. If Kansas City can take away Cousins’ primary reads, he will be more vulnerable than quarterbacks who can extend the play themselves.

5. Patrick Mahomes’ blind side

The above picture represents the Chiefs’ plan for left tackle on Sunday: head coach Andy Reid said rookie Kingsley Suamataia and second-year offensive tackle Wanya Morris “will both have an opportunity to get in there this game.”

That comes after Suamataia was benched late in the Week 2 win. He allowed two sacks and one quarterback hit against the Bengals, and was called for two penalties. Morris replaced him, and drew a crucial penalty himself.

Each will have a challenge playing in a road environment, but also facing veteran edge rusher Matthew Judon. He has gotten in on a sack in each game this season.