Patrick Mahomes carved up the Atlanta defense with five touchdown passes and rookie running back Emmett Johnson delivered a standout first career start, powering the Kansas City Chiefs to a 35-13 victory over the Falcons on Sunday at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
The win improved Kansas City to 7-2 and moved the Chiefs into a first-place tie in the AFC West with the Denver Broncos, who were on a bye. Atlanta dropped to 3-7 and has now lost three straight and five of its last six.
Mahomes completed 22 of 35 passes for 348 yards and a 135.5 passer rating without an interception. He spread the scoring around, connecting with five different receivers for touchdowns while guiding an offense missing several key pieces.
Johnson, pressed into duty after Kenneth Walker III was ruled out with a groin injury, carried 22 times for 101 yards and added six receptions for 70 yards and two scores. His first touchdown came on a 12-yard catch that capped an 80-yard opening drive and gave Kansas City a 7-0 lead. He later scored again in the fourth quarter.
Kansas City led 14-3 at halftime after Mahomes found newly acquired wide receiver Josh Downs for an 18-yard touchdown with 18 seconds remaining in the second quarter. Downs, acquired from Indianapolis earlier in the week, finished with four catches for 53 yards in his Chiefs debut.
In the third quarter, Mahomes hit rookie Cyrus Allen for a 39-yard touchdown—Allen’s first career score—to push the lead to 21-3. The Chiefs then added two more fourth-quarter scores, including a 43-yard strike from Mahomes to Andrew Armstrong, who also recorded his first NFL touchdown. Atlanta managed a 3-yard touchdown run by Bijan Robinson and a pair of field goals from Jake Moody.
Travis Kelce aggravated a right ankle injury on the opening drive and finished with just two catches for 30 yards. Right guard Trey Smith also left in the first half with a concussion, and the Chiefs dealt with further depth issues at running back.
For the Falcons, Michael Penix Jr. completed 23 of 43 passes for 286 yards and an interception, while Robinson gained 71 yards on 16 carries. Atlanta was held without a first down on its first four possessions and turned the ball over twice.
Kansas City hosts Arizona next Sunday. Atlanta has a bye before visiting Minnesota on Nov. 29.
