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Falcons Crush Chiefs At Arrowhead To Open The Season

By Joel Thorman
The Kansas City Chiefs played the Atlanta Falcons tough in the first half but unraveled in the second half and lost the game, 40-24. KC's defense -- or lack thereof -- is one of the major stories to come out of the game as well as the second half meltdown. Atlanta had no problem consistently moving up and down the field. The Chiefs offense was overall solid but turnovers sealed the deal.

Your recap -- if you can stomach it -- is after the jump...
The scene on the field before the game...
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And the big news before the game...

Meanwhile, KC Wolf comes driving onto the field in a 4-wheeler -- with fireworks spitting out the back -- and clotheslines a Falcons fan. Nice, KC Wolf.

Tony Gonzalez receives a standing ovation at Arrowhead. The Falcons stepped onto the field to boos but the field announcer welcomed Tony G. back and the Arrowhead crowd gave him a standing ovation. I heard a light and quick "Tony" chant. Good job, Chiefs fans.

The big board at Arrowhead (via @KCChiefs):

Tonyg

My biggest key to the game: start fast. Don't lose the Arrowhead Advantage.

SCORE: 7-0, FALCONS: The Falcons first drive goes 80 yards in 12 plays and results in seven points -- Matt Ryan to Julio Jones. They had few problems doing what they wanted offensively on that drive. KC having trouble balancing playing the run and the pass with their defensive players missing.

Dwayne Bowe hears some boos after dropping a wide open pass on first down. But he makes up for it with a 23-yard reception a few plays later.

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SCORE: 7-3, FALCONS with that field goal.

Punch in the gut: Falcons take the following return back 77 yards to the Chiefs' 24-yard line. Free yards. KC can not do that and expect to win.

Big time third down stop for the Chiefs. Matt Ryan hit Harry Douglas in the flat and Stanford Routt had a terrific open field tackle to stop him.

SCORE: 10-3, FALCONS with Atlanta tacking on a field goal.

FIRST QUARTER SCORE: FALCONS 10 CHIEFS 3

First quarter notes: Falcons are containing Jamaal Charles, four yards on four carries...Tony Moeaki has 29 yards receiving...Matt Cassel is 5-of-7 for 59 yards...Matt Ryan is 7-of-9 for 75 yards and a touchdown.

Chiefs flea-flicker alert! ....Matt Cassel sacked for an 8-yard loss on the play.

TOUCHDOWN KANSAS CITY!!! Matt Cassel to an outstretched Kevin Boss from 22 yards out.

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Looked a little like this one...

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SCORE: 10-10

Falcons bounce right back with a 73-yard touchdown drive. That's their second 70-plus touchdown drive.

SCORE: 17-10, FALCONS

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Midway through the second quarter...

TOUCHDOWN KANSAS CITY!!!! Cassel takes it in on the keeper from five yards out. The running back motioned out wide, leaving four receivers spread out. Cassel took the snap and and immediately tucked it and ran it in. Check out how the play developed...look at the blockers:

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Now see it in action:

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And another close-up:

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SCORE: 17-17

The Falcons are moving the ball down the field too easily. They quickly move into Chiefs territory on the following drive. But when the Chiefs need a big play...

And the Tambahawk...

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SCORE: 20-17, FALCONS with a 21-yard field goal.

HALFTIME SCORE: FALCONS 20 CHIEFS 17

Halftime stats:

  • Cassel: 10-of-12, 123 yards, 1 passing TD, 1 rushing TD
  • Charles: 8 carries, 72 yards
  • Hillis: 4 carries, 16 yards
  • Bowe: 2 catches, 44 yards
  • Moeaki: 2 catches, 29 yards

Chiefs start the second half with the ball and two receptions for 36 yards from Dexter McCluster put them in field goal range, which Ryan Succop MISSED from 40 yards out.

On 3rd-and-11, Matt Ryan goes deep to Julio Jones for a 31-yard gain. A killer momentum-wise. That plus the missed field goal will hurt the Chiefs.

SCORE: 27-17, FALCONS with a Matt Ryan scramble. 9 plays for 70 yards in 4:13 on that drive.

Oh, no....Matt Cassel is hit and fumbles the ball. Falcons recover with the ball inside th 10-yard line. The fist play is a touchdown by...

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SCORE: 34-17, FALCONS

It can always get worse: a Matt Cassel pass is tipped and picked off by former Mizzou safety William Moore. It's getting ugly at Arrowhead.

THIRD QUARTER SCORE: FALCONS 34 CHIEFS 17

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SCORE: 37-17 FALCONS with the early fourth quarter field goal.

Meltdown time! Cassel throws an interception in the Chiefs own territory.

SCORE: 40-17, FALCONS with another field goal.

Lingering question as we realize this game is over...

SCORE: 40-24, FALCONS with Shaun Draughn punching one in with five seconds left for the Chiefs.

FINAL SCORE: FALCONS 40 CHIEFS 24

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USPressWire photos by John Reiger.

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