Chiefs vs. Falcons Point Spread: NFL Week 3 Odds, Prediction
The Chiefs opened as 3.5-point favourites on the NFL odds.
NFL Point Spread and Betting Analysis
Kansas City has been a primetime darling since Patrick Mahomes took over as the starting quarterback so this is nothing new for the Chiefs. But it’s a rare second straight standalone game for Atlanta after winning on Monday night in Philadelphia in an upset.
As noted, the Chiefs play their first road game of 2024. They were 6-3-1 ATS in true road games last season including playoffs. In fact, Mahomes had never played a road postseason game in his career before leading upsets in Buffalo in last year’s Divisional Round and then in Baltimore in the AFC title game. Atlanta is 0-1 SU & ATS at home, dropping an ugly Week 1 matchup vs. Pittsburgh.
Sunday will be the 11th all-time matchup between the clubs, all in the regular season, with the Chiefs leading 7-3 and having won the past two. Kansas City puts an NFL-best eight-game winning streak on the line including playoffs.
Kansas City Chiefs
The Chiefs won a thriller Sunday against rival Cincinnati, 26-25 on a Harrison Butker 51-yard field goal as time expired. Kansas City got a first down on fourth-and-16 via defensive pass interference to set up that winning kick. It was the first time they ever got a first down with Patrick Mahomes when facing fourth-and-16 or longer. He was just OK Sunday in throwing for 151 yards with two TDs and two picks. The Chiefs are 2-0 for the seventh time under head coach Andy Reid. That is tied for the most 2-0 starts in the league since 2013 along with Denver.
The news was not all good Sunday as top running back Isiah Pacheo is headed to injured reserve after suffering a lower leg injury. That means Pacheco will miss at least four games but more likely 6-8 weeks. Pacheco, who has rushed for 135 yards and a TD and caught seven passes for 54 yards this season, will be replaced by a committee of undrafted rookie Carson Steele and veteran journeyman Samaje Perine, who is more of a third-down back. KC also has invited former NFL rushing champion Kareem Hunt for a workout. The Chiefs are 7-1 ATS in their past eight.
Atlanta Falcons
The Falcons for a few years generally have managed to lose close games it seems, but they got a huge win Monday night to conclude Week 2, rallying for a 22-21 win in Philadelphia to avoid a 0-2 start. QB Kirk Cousins was ineffective in Week 1 in his Atlanta debut but much better Monday in throwing for 241 yards and two scores, including the 7-yard winner to Drake London with 34 seconds left. On the previous drive, Philly running back Saquon Barkley dropped a short pass that stopped the clock with 1:46 left and forced the Eagles to settle for a field goal instead of a game-sealing first down. On the final drive, Cousins was 5-for-6 passing. Starting Falcons linebacker Nate Landman was out injured but it’s nothing long term. The Falcons are 6-13 ATS in their past 19 games.
KC
ATL