Sermon runs for game-high 88 yards as Falcons beat Chiefs 20-10

Atlanta, GA - Trey Sermon rushed for a game-high 88 yards and scored on a 2-yard run with 3:40 remaining in the fourth quarter as the Atlanta Falcons defeated the Kansas City Chiefs 20-10 in Week 10.

Sermon's late touchdown was part of a fourth quarter that featured three scoring moments in the final eight minutes. Harrison Butker connected from 58 yards for Kansas City with 7:52 remaining. Sermon reached the end zone a little more than four minutes later, and Nick Folk made a 19-yard field goal with 1:45 to play.

The Falcons also went to the ground for an early score. Brian Robinson Jr crossed the goal line on a 1-yard run with 6:57 left in the first quarter, beginning a day in which Atlanta repeatedly reached scoring range. The Falcons made five red-zone trips and finished with two touchdowns and two field goals on those possessions.

Atlanta created the game's clearest statistical separation through sustained offensive production. The Falcons amassed 345 offensive yards and 22 first downs, while Kansas City finished with 130 offensive yards and eight first downs. Atlanta also held advantages in both passing yards, 187-65, and rushing yards, 158-65.

Sermon handled a game-high 19 rushing attempts, averaging more than 4.6 yards per carry and breaking a game-long 33-yard run. Anthony Richardson Sr added 35 yards on five carries, giving Atlanta another productive option on the ground.

"When you get that many opportunities, you want to stay patient and make each one count," Sermon said. "There were yards there for us, and I wanted to keep giving the offense positive runs."

Richardson completed 16 of 26 passes for a game-high 192 yards, including a game-long completion of 28 yards. Zachariah Branch led all receivers with 61 yards and recorded the game's longest reception at 28 yards. Richardson also threw three interceptions and finished with a 44.5 passer rating, leaving the quarterback with a mixed assessment despite the victory.

"I have to be cleaner with the football," Richardson said. "Three interceptions are too many. We won, and I'm happy about that, but there's plenty for me to correct before the next one."

Atlanta converted six of 11 third-down opportunities, while Kansas City went 4-for-12. The Chiefs also failed on both of their fourth-down attempts. Kansas City reached the red zone once but came away without a touchdown or field goal on that trip.

The Falcons' defense recorded four sacks and intercepted Patrick Mahomes once. Mahomes completed 11 of 22 passes for 105 yards, with his longest completion covering 18 yards, and finished with a 44.6 passer rating. He also ran twice for 21 yards.

Brashard Smith led the Kansas City rushing attack with 28 yards on 16 carries. The Chiefs averaged fewer than two yards on Smith's attempts, and their limited passing production left them without an individual receiver reaching 30 yards.

"Eight first downs isn't good enough for us," Mahomes said. "We didn't sustain enough offense, and that puts a lot of pressure on every opportunity you do get. We have to be much more consistent."

Atlanta's defense and rushing production provided counterweights to Richardson's three interceptions. The Falcons finished with 215 more offensive yards than Kansas City and recorded 14 more first downs, substantial gaps in a game decided by 10 points.

The result extended Atlanta's winning streak to three games. Kansas City, which arrived in Week 10 on a three-game losing streak, has now dropped four in a row.

Up Next

Kansas City will return home to face the Arizona Cardinals in Week 11, while Atlanta will travel to meet the Minnesota Vikings in Week 12 looking to build on its third consecutive victory.