The Falcons got off to a great start offensively on Sunday, but the Chiefs didn’t let the game get away from them while Atlanta was rolling up first downs and they made a big play just before the half to grab the lead.
After the Falcons forced the first Kansas City punt of the afternoon, safety Eric Berry intercepted Matt Ryan on the Falcons’ first offensive play and returned the ball 37 yards for a touchdown with 37 seconds left to play in the half. It was Berry’s second touchdown return of the season and the Georgia native delivered the ball to his Mom for a souvenir.
Berry’s score gave the Chiefs a 20-13 lead and 14 straight points to close out the half. Spencer Ware’s second touchdown of the game and Cairo Santos’ first made extra point tied the score at 13 with 7:05 to play in the second quarter. That’s where things stayed as each team broke out their punting units for the first time on the afternoon, but the Falcons’ first decision to try to add more points backfired on them.
Their second worked out a bit better as they drove to get Matt Bryant a try from 59 yards as time expired on the second quarter. Bryant hit the field goal, cutting the Chiefs’ lead to 20-16 at the break.
They closed out the half without the help of left tackle Jake Matthews, who headed to the locker room early with a knee injury and was called questionable to return by the team. Tom Compton replaced him in the lineup.