Kansas City Chiefs vs. Atlanta Falcons: 2024 Week 3 Recap

Game story

In Week 3 of the 2024 NFL season on 2024-09-22, the Kansas City Chiefs took care of business against the Atlanta Falcons, pulling away with a 22–17 final that stayed a one-score game deep into the second half.

The highest-scoring period was Q2 with 20 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.

P. Mahomes (Kansas City Chiefs) paced the passing game, with +5.00 total EPA, and +1.3% completion percentage over expected.

On the individual side, R. Rice (Kansas City Chiefs) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +8.43 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.

The momentum swing (-35.1% win probability) landed in the fourth quarter when Atlanta Falcons changed the game: (:56) 7-B.Robinson left end to KC 16 for -3 yards (32-N.Bolton, 54-L.Chenal).

Line score

Final score and points by quarter.

Stars of the game

Top performers by total expected points added (EPA) across passing, rushing, and receiving.

1. 1 R. Rice · Kansas City Chiefs · Receiving · +8.43 total EPA · 14 snaps · +0.60 EPA/play
2. 2 K. Cousins · Atlanta Falcons · Passing · +6.17 total EPA · 36 snaps · +0.17 EPA/play
3. 3 P. Mahomes · Kansas City Chiefs · Passing · +5.00 total EPA · 42 snaps · +0.12 EPA/play
4. 4 D. London · Atlanta Falcons · Receiving · +3.72 total EPA · 9 snaps · +0.41 EPA/play
5. 5 D. Mooney · Atlanta Falcons · Receiving · +3.08 total EPA · 8 snaps · +0.38 EPA/play
6. 6 R. Rice · Kansas City Chiefs · Rushing · +2.35 total EPA · 1 snaps · +2.35 EPA/play
7. 7 B. Robinson · Atlanta Falcons · Receiving · +2.17 total EPA · 2 snaps · +1.08 EPA/play
8. 8 J. Smith-Schuster · Kansas City Chiefs · Receiving · +2.05 total EPA · 3 snaps · +0.68 EPA/play

Player of the game

FantasyHQ analytics player-of-the-game pick based on total EPA and signature plays.

Who scored touchdowns and field goals

Every touchdown and field goal with the player named in official play-by-play.

Touchdowns

• Atlanta Falcons — D. London (K. Cousins pass) (Q1 56:12)
• Kansas City Chiefs — R. Rice (P. Mahomes pass) (Q2 38:51)
• Atlanta Falcons — B. Robinson (Q2 36:44)
• Kansas City Chiefs — J. Smith-Schuster (P. Mahomes pass) (Q3 16:21)

Field goals

• Kansas City Chiefs — H. Butker (Q2 32:48)
• Kansas City Chiefs — H. Butker (Q2 30:11)
• Kansas City Chiefs — H. Butker (Q3 24:42)
• Atlanta Falcons — Y. Koo (Q4 12:56)

How it unfolded, quarter by quarter

A quarter-by-quarter recap built from live scoring plays and play descriptions.

The opening quarter: Atlanta Falcons won the period 7–0. Atlanta Falcons found the end zone from the KC 14 (Q1 56:12) — (11:12) (Shotgun) 18-K.Cousins pass short left to 5-D.London for 14 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Atlanta Falcons added 1 points from the KC 15 (Q1 56:07) — 6-Y.Koo extra point is GOOD, Center-49-L.McCullough, Holder-13-B.Pinion..

The second quarter: Kansas City Chiefs won the period 13–7. Kansas City Chiefs found the end zone from the ATL 13 (Q2 38:51); Kansas City Chiefs added 1 points from the ATL 7 (Q2 38:45) — 7-H.Butker extra point is GOOD, Center-41-J.Winchester, Holder-14-M.Araiza.; Atlanta Falcons found the end zone from the KC 1 (Q2 36:44) — (6:44) 7-B.Robinson left tackle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Atlanta Falcons added 1 points from the KC 15 (Q2 36:37) — 6-Y.Koo extra point is GOOD, Center-49-L.McCullough, Holder-13-B.Pinion.; Kansas City Chiefs connected on a field goal from the ATL 35 (Q2 32:48) — (2:48) 7-H.Butker 53 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-41-J.Winchester, Holder-14-M.Araiza.; Kansas City Chiefs connected on a field goal from the ATL 26 (Q2 30:11) — (:11) 7-H.Butker 44 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-41-J.Winchester, Holder-14-M.Araiza..

The third quarter: Kansas City Chiefs won the period 9–0. Kansas City Chiefs connected on a field goal from the ATL 3 (Q3 24:42) — (9:42) 7-H.Butker 21 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-41-J.Winchester, Holder-14-M.Araiza.; Kansas City Chiefs found the end zone from the ATL 13 (Q3 16:21) — (1:21) (Shotgun) 15-P.Mahomes pass short left to 9-J.Smith-Schuster for 13 yards, TOUCHDOWN [97-G.Jarrett]..

The fourth quarter: Atlanta Falcons won the period 3–0. Atlanta Falcons connected on a field goal from the KC 36 (Q4 12:56) — (12:56) 6-Y.Koo 54 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-49-L.McCullough, Holder-13-B.Pinion..

Turning points

Plays that moved win probability the most — the swings that decided the game.

• Atlanta Falcons (Q4 0:56) — (:56) 7-B.Robinson left end to KC 16 for -3 yards (32-N.Bolton, 54-L.Chenal). [WPA -35.1% · EPA -3.45]
• Atlanta Falcons (Q4 4:08) — (4:08) (Shotgun) 18-K.Cousins pass incomplete short middle to 5-D.London. [WPA -19.4% · EPA -2.86]
• Atlanta Falcons (Q2 37:08) — (7:08) (Shotgun) 18-K.Cousins pass deep right to 8-K.Pitts to KC 1 for 50 yards (20-J.Reid). Penalty on KC-22-T.McDuffie, Defensive Holding, declined. [WPA +15.1% · EPA +4.18]
• Atlanta Falcons (Q4 1:51) — (1:51) (Shotgun) 18-K.Cousins pass short right to 1-D.Mooney to KC 37 for no gain (35-Ja.Watson). PENALTY on KC-35-Ja.Watson, Horse Collar Tackle, 15 yards, enforced at KC 37 - No Play. [WPA +15.0% · EPA +1.41]
• Atlanta Falcons (Q2 30:41) — (:41) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 18-K.Cousins pass short right intended for 8-K.Pitts INTERCEPTED by 27-C.Conner (98-T.Wharton) [98-T.Wharton] at ATL 49. 27-C.Conner to ATL 46 for 3 yards. Lateral to 35-Ja. [WPA -14.7% · EPA -3.72]

Impact plays

Highest expected-points added snaps that flipped field position and scoring chances.

• Kansas City Chiefs (Q1 47:53) — (2:53) (Shotgun) 15-P.Mahomes pass short right intended for 83-N.Gray INTERCEPTED by 31-J.Simmons [55-K.Elliss] at ATL -1. Touchback. [WPA -9.9% · EPA -5.73]
• Atlanta Falcons (Q2 37:08) — (7:08) (Shotgun) 18-K.Cousins pass deep right to 8-K.Pitts to KC 1 for 50 yards (20-J.Reid). Penalty on KC-22-T.McDuffie, Defensive Holding, declined. [WPA +15.1% · EPA +4.18]
• Atlanta Falcons (Q2 30:41) — (:41) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 18-K.Cousins pass short right intended for 8-K.Pitts INTERCEPTED by 27-C.Conner (98-T.Wharton) [98-T.Wharton] at ATL 49. 27-C.Conner to ATL 46 for 3 yards. Lateral to 35-Ja. [WPA -14.7% · EPA -3.72]
• Atlanta Falcons (Q4 0:56) — (:56) 7-B.Robinson left end to KC 16 for -3 yards (32-N.Bolton, 54-L.Chenal). [WPA -35.1% · EPA -3.45]

Quarterback report card

P.Mahomes led all passers in efficiency for Kansas City Chiefs, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.

• P.Mahomes (Kansas City Chiefs) · 42 dropbacks · 61.9% completion · +1.3% CPOE · +0.12 EPA/play · +5.00 total EPA
• K.Cousins (Atlanta Falcons) · 36 dropbacks · 55.6% completion · +6.6% CPOE · +0.17 EPA/play · +6.17 total EPA

Team stats comparison

Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency from FantasyHQ analytics.

By the numbers

Despite the final score, Kansas City Chiefs generated the better offensive EPA per play (+0.09 vs -0.01), suggesting they moved the ball more efficiently.

• Atlanta Falcons: 10 drives, -0.48 total EPA, 3 scoring drives
• Kansas City Chiefs: 10 drives, +7.46 total EPA, 4 scoring drives

Key takeaways

What to remember for fantasy research, film review, and follow-up box score digging.

• Kansas City Chiefs leaves with the win and the better postgame narrative for Week-to-week momentum.
• One-score margin — fantasy managers should double-check garbage-time stats before drawing conclusions.
• R. Rice (Kansas City Chiefs) is the first name to pull up for highlight reels and prop-retrospective research.
• K. Cousins (ATL) beat expectation through the air — positive CPOE game for stack builds.

Every scoring play

Chronological scoring with field position and full play-by-play context.

1. Atlanta Falcons TD (+6) — Q1 56:12 · KC 14 · Score 0-6
   (11:12) (Shotgun) 18-K.Cousins pass short left to 5-D.London for 14 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
2. Atlanta Falcons XP (+1) — Q1 56:07 · KC 15 · Score 0-7
   6-Y.Koo extra point is GOOD, Center-49-L.McCullough, Holder-13-B.Pinion.
3. Kansas City Chiefs TD (+6) — Q2 38:51 · ATL 13 · Score 6-7
   (8:51) (Shotgun) 15-P.Mahomes pass short left to 4-R.Rice for 13 yards, TOUCHDOWN. PENALTY on ATL-0-L.Carter, Roughing the Passer, 8 yards, enforced between dow
4. Kansas City Chiefs XP (+1) — Q2 38:45 · ATL 7 · Score 7-7
   7-H.Butker extra point is GOOD, Center-41-J.Winchester, Holder-14-M.Araiza.
5. Atlanta Falcons TD (+6) — Q2 36:44 · KC 1 · Score 7-13
   (6:44) 7-B.Robinson left tackle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
6. Atlanta Falcons XP (+1) — Q2 36:37 · KC 15 · Score 7-14
   6-Y.Koo extra point is GOOD, Center-49-L.McCullough, Holder-13-B.Pinion.
7. Kansas City Chiefs FG (+3) — Q2 32:48 · ATL 35 · Score 10-14
   (2:48) 7-H.Butker 53 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-41-J.Winchester, Holder-14-M.Araiza.
8. Kansas City Chiefs FG (+3) — Q2 30:11 · ATL 26 · Score 13-14
   (:11) 7-H.Butker 44 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-41-J.Winchester, Holder-14-M.Araiza.
9. Kansas City Chiefs FG (+3) — Q3 24:42 · ATL 3 · Score 16-14
   (9:42) 7-H.Butker 21 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-41-J.Winchester, Holder-14-M.Araiza.
10. Kansas City Chiefs TD (+6) — Q3 16:21 · ATL 13 · Score 22-14
    (1:21) (Shotgun) 15-P.Mahomes pass short left to 9-J.Smith-Schuster for 13 yards, TOUCHDOWN [97-G.Jarrett].
11. Atlanta Falcons FG (+3) — Q4 12:56 · KC 36 · Score 22-17
    (12:56) 6-Y.Koo 54 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-49-L.McCullough, Holder-13-B.Pinion.