Two NFL games is still an incredibly small sample size. Vegas knows it. Look around at some of the lines this week - they don’t necessarily favor teams that are 2-0 or 0-2. And this game is no different. The oddsmakers clearly still believe that this Atlanta Falcons team can be as competitive as it looked on paper this offseason.

And that’s what makes our Chiefs vs. Falcons Week 3 predictions and picks a tall order. Because the knee-jerk reaction is to think “of course the back-to-back Super Bowl champion Chiefs will beat the Atlanta Falcons”. But we need to dig a little deeper than just the final scores of two games that have been played. And that’s what we’re going to dive into today. 

Even if you just want to see the Chiefs vs. Falcons odds and have Chiefs vs. Falcons picks of your own, don’t forget to scroll down at the end to see how you can scoop up a $1,500 BetMGM Sportsbook sign-up bonus! We suggest you do a trial on our “best bets” as we went 4 for 4 on ours last week!

 

 

 

Chiefs vs. Falcons Predictions: Week 3, Sunday Night Football 9/22

These teams play only once every four years. The last time they played Matt Ryan was the quarterback for the Falcons and Todd Gurley and Le'Veon Bell were in the game. In the matchup prior to that, Alex Smith was the QB for the Kansas City Chiefs. So, there’s no meaningful history between these two teams.

What we have here is the back-to-back Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs trying to keep the band together and healthy on one side. On the other side we have a star-studded crew of weapons playing their third game ever with Kirk Cousins coming off an Achilles injury. There’s certainly reason for excitement but also potential for disappointment.  

 

 

 

Kansas City Chiefs: How Do They Replace Isiah Pacheco?

We ask “how” rather than “who” when it comes to an Isiah Pacheco replacement as I believe it will be a group effort. You’ve got Samaje Perine as the trusted pass down back. You have Carson Steele as the fullback-esque bruiser. And you have Kareem Hunt as the late addition that will try to get in game shape as quickly as possible. All of that might not add up to Isiah Pacheco exactly. But it can come close.

In the pass game they have Rashee Rice and Travis Kelce working the short to intermediate area as always. But they’ve added a new element with first round rookie Xavier Worthy - the element of speed. He’ll keep safeties honest on the back end of the defense as he’s already shown that his all-time great speed isn’t just for the track.

Outside of Pacheco and Hollywood Brown (who landed on the IR previously), the Chiefs are actually reasonably healthy with fairly full participation. They made an effort to improve the defense over the last few years with Chris Jones and George Karlaftis providing the pass rush and Trent McDuffie making things difficult for opposing split ends. 

 

 

 

Atlanta Falcons: Is Gunslingin’ Kirk Cousins Back?

Kirk Cousins faced a lot of criticism following the Falcons Week One loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers (without the Steelers even scoring a touchdown). His mobility was called into question when he rarely left the pocket. But the reality is that mobility has never really been his game in the first place. He’s a pocket passer. And, in Week 2 against the Eagles, he showed on a 70-yard game-winning drive that he still has some magic. 

There are still some questions about getting the most out of these weapons though. Namely, Kyle Pitts. They connected for a touchdown on broken coverage Week One but have yet to really get on the same page. Drake London scored a touchdown this week with about 40 seconds left which bailed out his stat line, but he only has 69 total yards through two games. They need to get him going. 

Last year the Falcons made one of the best offseason acquisitions with safety Jessie Bates III - he has been all over the field for this team. He says he’s ready to offer up a little trash talk to Travis Kelce and, unlike this Falcons team in general, he HAS faced this Chiefs team a number of times during his career with the Cincinnati Bengals. Up front, Grady Jarrett is a star. He missed half of last season but looks healthy this year and registered 1.5 sacks in his first game. 

 

 

 

Chiefs vs. Falcons Odds, Spreads, Total & Betting Lines

As promised, the latest Chiefs vs. Falcons odds can be found below courtesy of BetMGM Sportsbook:

  • Point Spread: Kansas City Chiefs -3 (-115) vs. Atlanta Falcons +3 (-105)
  • Money Line: Kansas City Chiefs (-160) vs. Atlanta Falcons (+135)
  • Game Total (Over/Under): Over 46.5 (-110) vs. Under 46.5 (-110)

 

 

 

Chiefs vs. Falcons Predictions: Over 46.5 (-115 at BetMGM Sportsbook)

I believe in Kirk Cousins. And I believe in Kyle Pitts. And, honestly, I’m coming around on Darnell Mooney too. If he didn’t slow down on a route last week, he could have had a 150-yard day rather than just 88 yards. So even if the Chiefs put Trent McDuffie on Drake London or try to stack the box against Bijan Robinson, I think the Falcons can put up a fight here.

And the Chiefs are the Chiefs. Last year the Chiefs called 17 more WR/TE screens than any other team in the league. But you can’t just play them tight this year because they have Xavier Worthy and his 4.29 forty-yard dash to take the top off. The Chiefs not being able to run the ball the way they want to just means more passing - and maybe that the Falcons stay in this game.

Given the likelihood that the Chiefs win this game, I don’t really love the idea of betting on the Falcons keeping it close. I can get exposure to the idea that the Falcons make it an interesting game via the over 46.5 (-115 at BetMGM) to solidify my Chiefs vs. Falcons predictions. And I do believe this will be a fun game to watch on Sunday Night Football. 

 

 

 

Chiefs vs. Falcons Injury Report & Latest News

Finally, let’s take a quick look at the projected starting lineups for both teams heading into tonight’s matchup:

ATL Falcons:

  • DT - Grady Jarrett - DNP (rest)
  • DT - David Onyemata - DNP (rest)
  • OT - Jake Matthews - Limited

KC Chiefs:

  • None

 

 

 

How To Bet On Chiefs vs. Falcons At BetMGM Sportsbook & Claim Your $1,500 Bonus With Promo Code ALARM

Now that you’re armed with our Chiefs vs. Falcons predictions, let’s take you through the aforementioned $1,500 BetMGM sign up bonus. You’ll just need the BetMGM promo code ALARM when creating a new account, but our links and banners should have it filled in for you.

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You’ll either see your winnings hit your account, or if it loses, a full refund will be issued in bonus bets. It’s the best way to take advantage of our Chiefs vs. Falcons predictions, and you can click here to activate our exclusive BetMGM promo code ALARM now!