The Kansas City Chiefs’ defense continued to show their dominance in Week 3 against the Atlanta Falcons. The unit overcame early hiccups to secure a 22-17 Sunday Night Football victory. Despite some struggles in the first half, the defense adjusted and made key stops when it mattered most.
From timely pressures to key turnovers, the defense stepped up in crucial moments. As the season progresses, Kansas City’s defense is starting to resemble its No. 2 NFL ranking from a season ago. Early flashes of dominant play at all three levels suggest this unit has shown that it can be one of the most consistent in the league. Now let’s dive into the key takeaways from their performance from this past Sunday.
Defensive Play(s) Of The Game
One of the biggest plays for the Chiefs’ defense came just before halftime when they forced Falcons Quarterback Kirk Cousins into an interception. Tershawn Wharton applied pressure, causing a hurried throw, which was picked off by Chamarri Conner. Conner smartly handed the ball to Jaylen Watson, setting up the Chiefs for a field goal before halftime. Conner continues to impress, having recorded a fumble recovery, a sack, and now an interception over the past two games.
Then in the final minute of the fourth quarter, Nick Bolton delivered another game-defining moment. He stuffed Falcons Running Back Bijan Robinson on a critical 4th-and-inches play, sealing the victory for Kansas City. Robinson was held to 31 yards, thanks in large part to Bolton’s strong play. On the night, the Chiefs’ defense held Atlanta, which rushed for 152 yards last week, to just 82 yards, showing their ability to shut down the run.
Despite some questionable calls going both ways, the Chiefs’ defense held firm. They allowed just 10 points outside of the opening drive. The defense’s ability to contain Robinson, who averaged only 1.9 yards per carry, compared to his 3.8 and 6.9 yards per carry in their other two games this season, shows how locked in this defense has been so far this season.
Steve Spagnuolo’s Defense Did Its Job
The Chiefs defense wasn’t flawless, however, particularly in the first half. Trent McDuffie slipped, leading to a big gain by Falcons Receiver Darnell Mooney. There were also miscommunications, like the one between Drue Tranquill and Nazeeh Johnson that resulted in the Falcons’ first touchdown. A Chris Jones roughing-the-passer penalty and Justin Reid getting burned for a 50-yard play also hurt the defense early on.
However, after those missteps, the Chiefs defense regrouped. The Falcons’ second-half possessions went as follows: punt, interception, field goal, and two turnovers on down. Steve Spagnuolo’s defense allowed just three points in the second half, showcasing their ability to adjust and correct mistakes. This “bend but don’t break” mentality is becoming a hallmark of this defense.
Kansas City held the Falcons to 4.8 yards per play in the second half, stifling Atlanta’s offense when it mattered most. The defense showed resilience and made key stops, limiting the Falcons’ big play potential after halftime. Their second-half performance was crucial to securing the win, as the Falcons’ offense was shut down in critical moments.
Defensive Line and Secondary Impact
Felix Anudike-Uzomah made a significant impact, recording the only sack of the game, which also led to a forced fumble. Although Atlanta recovered, Anudike-Uzomah’s presence was felt throughout the game, with two tackles, one for loss, and a quarterback hit. Chris Jones and George Karlaftis didn’t record sacks, but their constant pressure kept Cousins uncomfortable in the pocket.
Other notable contributions came from Bryan Cook, who had eight tackles and earned the team’s highest tackling grade according to PFF. His 84.3 grade shows just how critical he was to shutting down the Falcons’ offense. Tershawn Wharton also added three tackles, a pass breakup, and a quarterback hit, continuing to be a key contributor to the Chiefs’ defensive line.
Trent McDuffie had a tough night, allowing completions to Falcons Receiver Drake London, including a big play that led to a score. Despite McDuffie’s struggles, the secondary overall played well. They limited the Falcons to just one receiving touchdown. The secondary’s ability to recover after early breakdowns was essential to holding Atlanta’s passing attack in check.
Final Thoughts
The Chiefs’ defense continues to show why it’s one of the top units in the league. By holding the Falcons to under 90 rushing yards and keeping Robinson in check, they once again proved their ability to neutralize an opponent’s primary game plan. Kansas City’s defense has now held opponents under 28 points in 24 straight games, highlighting not just their dominance but also their understanding that they are the backbone of the team—especially as the offense works through some issues.
As the Chiefs head into Week 4 against division rival Los Angeles Chargers, maintaining this level of defensive play will be key. With Justin Herbert and several key starters out for Los Angeles, Kansas City has a prime opportunity to further establish itself as a defensive powerhouse in the NFL. By doing so, the Chiefs can continue inching closer to their ultimate goal this season: a third straight championship.
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