Kansas City Chiefs vs. Atlanta Falcons Matchup Preview (12/27/20): Betting Odds, Depth Charts, Live Stream (Watch Online)

The Kansas City Chiefs will be taking on the Atlanta Falcons at home for week 16 of the NFL. The Kansas City Chiefs are coming off of a dominant win over the New Orleans Saints last week and are securing the only playoff bye position for the AFC with a 13-1 record on the year. The Atlanta Falcons gave up a big lead in their game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers last game to make their record 4-10 on the year. For odds movement and full matchup history, visit the Kansas City Chiefs vs. Atlanta Falcons Matchup Page.

TV Schedule

Date: Sunday, December 27th, 2020
Time: 1:05 PM ET
Location: Merceds-Benz Stadium – Atlanta, Georgia
TV Coverage: FOX

Chiefs vs. Falcons Live Stream

Where can you watch Chiefs vs. Falcons online? You can stream this game, and many other NFL games live online with Hulu. Hulu has a 7 Day free trial and is cheaper than cable options at $5.99/month. Watch Chiefs vs. Falcons Free Online Now.

Injuries:

Kansas City Chiefs: Questionable: Darwin Thompson, Damien Wilson, Mike Remmers, Emmanuel Smith, Doubtful: Clyde Edwards-Helaire, Anthony Hitchens
Atlanta Falcons: Questionable: Marlon Davidson, Julio Jones, Darqueze Dennard, Ricardo Allen, James Carpenter, Isaiah Oliver, Blidi Wreh-Wilson Out: Jordan Miller

Kansas City Chiefs Analysis

The Kansas City Chiefs are coming off of an impressive win over the New Orleans Saints last week, where they won by three points. They have moved their record up to 13-1 and are winning the AFC and should take the bye week for the AFC playoffs. However, now without their starting running back, Clyde-Edwards Helaire, it will be interesting to see how the offense adapts. Luckily, next week they will play the Falcons, who have one of the worst secondaries in the league.

Patrick Mahomes is nearing closer and closer to another MVP to his collection. Mahomes threw for 254 yards and three touchdowns with just one fumble to one of the hardest defenses last weekend. He connected with the league’s leading receiver, Travis Kelce, for one of his touchdowns, and Tyreek Hill and Mecole Hardman for the others. The Falcons allow nearly a 70% completion percentage, almost 300 passing yards per game, and two passing touchdowns per game to their opponents this season.

Clyde-Edwards Helaire left last week’s game late in the fourth quarter with a high-ankle sprain and hip injury. His X-Rays were negative, but he is doubtful for next week’s contest. That means that Leveon Bell and Darrel Williams could see increases in touches next week. However, the Atlanta Falcons are in the top half for defending the run. They allow just the ninth least amount of rushing yards per game to their opponents this season.

The Kansas City Chiefs’ defense struggled to produce much last game. They sacked Brees just one time in the game and allowed them nearly 30 points. However, they did have nine passes defended as a team and one interception from safety L’Jarius Sneed. The Falcons have quite a productive offense, especially in the passing game. The Falcons have the seventh most completions as a team per game and the fourth-most passing yards per game as a team too.

Kansas City Chiefs Depth Chart

QB: Patrick Mahomes
RB1: Clyde Edwards-Helaire
RB2: Darwin Thompson
WR1: Tyreek Hill
WR2: Sammy Watkins
WR3: Mecole Hardman
TE: Travis Kelce

Atlanta Falcons Analysis

The Atlanta Falcons had flashbacks to the 2017 Super Bowl against the New England Patriots and Tom Brady. After going up by 17 points in the first half, the Buccaneers came back to win it with a touchdown from Antonio Brown in the fourth quarter. This pushed the Falcons’ record back to 4-10 on the season. They will look to make a statement to win next week against the Chiefs.

Matt Ryan threw for 356 yards and three touchdowns last week, with two of those touchdowns coming in the first half of the game. He did not turn the ball over either to one of the best defenses in the league. He connected with Calvin Ridley, Russell Gage, and Hayden Hurst without having Julio Jones present in the game. Kansas City certainly has an elite passing defense, considering they allow the third-lowest completion percentage to their opponents and allow just 230 yards per game through the air.

The Falcons’ run game was completely nonexistent last game. They ran the ball just 13 times as a team, with Ito Smith leading the way with six carries for 24 yards. The team only rushed for an average of 2.8 yards per attempt in that game. They have seriously decreased the number of attempts given to Todd Gurley in the back half of this season. He has not gotten double-digit carries since week nine. The Chiefs struggle more on containing the run, considering they allow 123 rushing yards per game and 4.6 yards per attempt.

The Falcons’ defense will need to step up next week against one of the most productive offenses in the NFL, if not the most productive. The Chiefs put up 31.1 points per game, tied for the highest in the league, and 427.9 yards per game, which is the highest in its category. Atlanta has one of the worst secondaries in the league and will need to tighten things up to take down Mahomes.

Atlanta Falcons

QB: Matt Ryan
RB1: Todd Gurley
RB2: Ito Smith
WR1: Julio Jones
WR2: Calvin Ridley
WR3: Russell Gage
TE: Hayden Hurst

Betting Corner Chiefs -11.5

Spread: +/- 11.5
Moneyline: Chiefs -530, Falcons +380
Over/Under: 54.5

Prediction

Spread: Chiefs 11.5
Moneyline: Chiefs -530
Over/Under: o54.5

The Kansas City Chiefs are making a hard argument for saying that any other team could beat them in the possible Super Bowl this season. They have the best record in the NFL for a reason and have had a tough schedule. The Falcons should be no trouble for them to get by, especially since they would like to lock up the playoff bye. However, the Chiefs have a 7-7 record against the spread this season, which does include one where they were favored by 10+ points. This spread is debatable, but I would still take the Chiefs.

Considering the Chiefs average the most points on the team and the Falcons can score well against great defenses, I would choose the over in this game. But, the Chiefs are 7-7 against the over/under, and the Falcons are surprisingly 6-8 too.

Love/Hate Fantasy Picks

Love

Tyreek Hill is an easy favorite for championship week of fantasy football. The Falcons have allowed the most fantasy points to receivers and quarterbacks this season. Considering they will be without their starting running back, too, I expect this to be a pass-heavy game. Keep Tyreek in your lineups and enjoy the plethora of points he will bring you next week in fantasy. He has projected 19.45 fantasy points next week against the Falcons.

Hate

Le’Veon Bell has only seen two games with double-digit points this season in fantasy football. Last week, however, was one of them against the New Orleans Saints. He put up a 15-62-1 line against one of the league’s hardest rushing defenses. I think the Cheifs will want to spread the wealth to Darrel Williams too. Also, considering the Falcons have allowed the fourth least amount of points to running backs this season, I would not take the risk on Bell. He is still projected to have 13.3 points next week in fantasy football.