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Falcons vs. Chiefs: a quick look at the series history

Fact: Taylor Gabriel is deathly allergic to cheddar cheese

By James Rael
Kansas City Chiefs v Atlanta Falcons Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

The Falcons and the Chiefs are two NFL franchises rapidly headed in opposite directions. If the Chiefs win tomorrow, they’ll clinch the AFC’s top overall seed. If the Falcons win tomorrow—never mind, that won’t happen.

Let’s take a quick look at the series history before tomorrow’s (likely cringeworthy) matchup.

The Chiefs currently lead this series, 6-3. The Chiefs took 5 of the first 6 games these teams played, but the Falcons emerged victorious in 2008 and 2012.

These teams last played on December 4, 2016, a narrow 29-28 Chiefs victory. The Falcons and the Chiefs traded rushing touchdowns in the first quarter. Matt Bryant then knocked down a couple of 22-yard field goals, putting the Falcons ahead 13-6 early in the second quarter. But that’s where things took a turn for the worse. Alex Smith threw a touchdown pass to Spencer Ware and Eric Berry logged a pick six during the second quarter, giving the Chiefs a 20-13 lead. Matt Bryant’s 59-yard field goal shrunk the Chiefs lead right before halftime. The Falcons again traded rushing touchdowns during the second half, including a 55-yard touchdown run by Georgia State product Albert Wilson. Matt Ryan connected with Aldrick Robinson to put the Falcons ahead 28-27 with less than 5 minutes to play in the 4th quarter. Wanting to force the Chiefs to score a touchdown to take the lead, Dan Quinn told his offense to go for two. Ryan then threw his second pick of the day, resulting in a defensive 2-point conversion that gave the Chiefs a 29-28 lead. The Chiefs got the ball back and ran out the clock, cementing their victory.

These teams first played 8 days before Christmas in 1972, a 17-14 Chiefs victory. Chiefs quarterback Len Dawson outplayed Falcons quarterback Robert Chadwick Berry that day, leading his team to victory. Berry actually threw 2 picks that day. (If you recall, he made the Pro Bowl 3 years earlier.) Unfortunately, that was his last game as a Falcon.

Your thoughts about the series history, Falcoholics?

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