Chiefs-Falcons Reaction: Patrick Mahomes, Rashee Rice + Steve Spagnuolo’s Defense | NFL Week 3

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Kansas City Chiefs vs. Atlanta Falcons Reaction & News from Sunday Night Football in NFL Week 3! The Chiefs were on the right side of a controversial call as Kyle Pitts should’ve drawn a pass interference call in the end zone late in the game. That being said, Kirk Cousins and the Falcons had multiple chances to win. Patrick Mahomes, Rashee Rice and Steve Spagnuolo’s defense starred for Kansas City. Harrison Graham brings you SNF Reaction and more NFL Week 3 takeaways.

Chiefs-Falcons rapid reaction: A gritty victory in Atlanta

The Kansas City Chiefs defeated the Atlanta Falcons 22-17 on “Sunday Night Football” to improve to 3-0 on the 2024 NFL season.

Patrick Mahomes started the game slow, but he seemed to find his rhythm in the third quarter.

It’s always rarified air when we say this, but Mahomes seemed to be out of sync with his pass-catchers during the first two quarters of the Sunday night’s game.

His early interception to safety Justin Simmons came on a lofted pass that had too much touch; it almost looked as though the quarterback didn’t see Simmons waiting to jump the ball. Throughout the half, Mahomes had a few balls that were either underthrown or thrown behind receivers.

Whatever it was, I thought he found a way to get out of the funk in the third quarter. To start the third frame, Mahomes made a point of getting tight end Travis Kelce involved, and running back Carson Steele took some pressure off by pounding the ball up the field for first downs.

Wide receiver Rashee Rice provided the go-to target Mahomes needed all night — more on that in a second — and when he got banged up, JuJu Smith-Schuster stepped up to take a pass to the house and extend the lead. The final pass that provided Atlanta a last-ditch effort appeared to be the mistake of rookie wide receiver Xavier Worthy, who tailed off his route with the ball in the air.

Mahomes finished the night 26 of 38 for 217 yards and 2 touchdowns, enough to seal the third straight win to start the season.

Rashee Rice is an emerging star.

In his second season, Rice has become the focal point of the Chiefs’ offense. The unit is still better when Kelce is involved, but Kansas City has no more dangerous weapon than No. 4.

Rice was open throughout the evening, and he only needs a few steps of space to pick up chunk yardage for the offense. Kansas City is truly missing Hollywood Brown, but Rice is doing all he can to make up for his absence.

Mahomes targeted Rice an absurd 14 times. He brought in 12 passes for 110 yards. Including postseason matchups, it was the third-best game of his young career.

Chamarri Conner gets a game ball in a gritty defensive effort to save the matchup. So does Nick Bolton.

Kansas City general manager Brett Veach and his personnel staff clearly have a specialty: finding absolute gems at defensive back during Day 3 of the NFL Draft. Conner — selected in the fourth round of 2023 — is yet another one.

Conner has been an important part of this year’s defense, winning the slot corner position out of training camp — and doing anything (and everything) asked of him by defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo.

Conner’s night included 10 tackles, including an early effort to bring down running back Bijian Robinson on a play that looked like it could go a long way. He had two pass breakups, along with an interception after defensive tackle Turk Wharton disrupted quarterback Kirk Cousins.

Conner’s night kept the Chiefs in a game that may have easily gone the other way without him.

Finally…

With the game hanging in the balance, the oft-criticized Bolton made the key tackle to clinch the win. Banged up throughout the night, Bolton finished second behind Conner with eight tackles, tied with safety Bryan Cook.

It has become normal. In a dogfight, the Chiefs found a way to win.