Falcons - Chiefs score predictions: The Falcoholic staff is feeling bullish

Dave Choate

Falcons 31-Chiefs 24

Down Jeremy Maclin and Dontari Poe, the Chiefs are still an imposing foe with one of the better defenses in the NFL, and I wouldn’t be completely stunned if their defense actually ends up getting one of their scores for them. The offense, though, can’t keep up if the Falcons get rolling, and with a pretty healthy offense that just destroyed the Arizona Cardinals last Sunday, I think Atlanta will get more than 30 in this one. Should be a fun game, but one the Falcons will win.

Matt Chambers

Falcons 34-Chiefs 17

My only question here is if the Kansas City pass rush can slow down Atlanta’s offense enough to allow Alex Smith to dink and dunk his way into an unimpressive win. With the emergence of Taylor Gabriel and a healthy Tevin Coleman, I think the Falcons should be able to keep their foot on the gas. Justin Houston and Dee Ford are scary as hell, but Atlanta has a strong run game and potentially the most explosive screen game in the NFL. That should limit quarterback pressure and allow the Falcons to get an early lead, forcing Alex Smith to (lol) throw the ball down the field.

DW

Falcons 27 - Chiefs 24

Honestly, I think this game will be closer than some believe. The Chiefs are very good at not turning the ball over and dinking and dunking their way to success. Their offense can stay on the field, limiting the amount of points the Falcons can put up. Their OL is the definition of average, so a win will depend on how well Freeney and Beasley can pressure Smith. Their pass rush is fierce, but I suspect the Falcons will plan around that. This will be a tough win, but I think the Falcons pull one out in the end.

Caleb Rutherford

Falcons 30 - Chiefs 28

This is round 2 of “good defense, mediocre offense” except I couldn't tell you who the Chiefs RB is. Their defense is very good, and a rested Justin Houston is especially scary. That said, they're missing two potential game changers in Jeremy Maclin and Dontari Poe. Our chances of winning should go up a good bit without them in the game. I'm still predicting an uncomfortably close win, but if we do to their defense what we did to the Cardinals, you can put a fork in ‘em.

Allen Strk

Chiefs 27- Falcons 24

Despite Alex Smith’s overly conservative style, Kansas City pulls out another narrow victory. The loss of Adrian Clayborn is going to be more significant than some realize. Unless Vic Beasley gets the better of Mitchell Schwartz, who is one of the top right tackles in the league, the pass rush will most likely be non-existent. On the other side, the Chiefs’ pass rush is starting to become healthy. Justin Houston, Tamba Hali, Chris Jones, and Dee Ford are going to start lining up together. That doesn’t bode well for any offensive line, let alone Atlanta’s above average unit. There are too many concerns for Atlanta in this particular matchup. Expect Travis Kelce to have a big game as well.