:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/52158505/usa_today_9724270.0.jpeg)
The Atlanta Falcons came up short against the Kansas City Chiefs, losing 29-28 and falling to 7-5 on the season.
Let’s revisit the top three matchups heading into the game.
Julio Jones versus Marcus Peters
Jones has yet to turn in consecutive performances in which he’s failed to reach triple-digit receiving yards. After catching four passes for 35 yards in Week 12, he racked up seven receptions for 113 yards with relative ease before suffering a turf toe injury. Peters didn’t follow him for the entire game, but when the two were matched up, Jones caught two passes for 36 yards.
Spencer Ware versus Falcons defense
It looked like Ware was in for a big day, as he scored a rushing and a receiving touchdown to start the game. Heading into the game, Ware had scored only three touchdowns (two rushing, one receiving), and he could have had another receiving touchdown if Alex Smith didn’t overthrow him on one particular play. Ware ended up finishing the game with 52 total yards.
Ryan Schraeder versus Justin Houston
Considering what Houston’s capable of and the havoc he wreaked in Week 12, Schraeder held up quite well. Houston notched just one sack, and that was in the red zone after Ryan put the ball down and attempted to turn something into nothing with his receivers all covered. Unfortunately, that sack came on third down and Atlanta was forced to settle for a 22-yard field goal.
Things took a turn for the worse when left tackle Jake Matthews went down and Tom Compton took over. Tamba Hali proceeded to have a field day, as Compton gave up five pressures on 26 pass blocks.