Nick Bolton Shines: Here's the Report Card from the Chiefs' Heart-Stopping Victory

 

Bolton Battles Through Injury in Stellar Performance

Nick Bolton, who briefly left the game with a back injury earlier in the quarter, returned to the field and delivered his best performance of the season. Despite the pain, he finished with three tackles for loss among his eight total stops, showcasing grit and determination.

MORE CHIEFS COVERAGE

News, analysis, and key storylines from the Chiefs' thrilling road victory over the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday night:
→ 5 takeaways from the dramatic nail-biter
→ Grading KC's performance — and the standout player of the night
→ Key lessons from the road win
→ Download our exclusive game-day poster

NEXT UP

The Chiefs face their first AFC West opponent of the 2024 season, traveling to Los Angeles to take on the Chargers. Kickoff is set for 3:25 p.m. CT next Sunday, with the game broadcast on CBS (Channel 5 in Kansas City).

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REPORT CARD

Passing Offense: C
With the ball in hand and a five-point lead, the Chiefs had four minutes to burn the clock, but a quick three-and-out followed. While it didn't cost them the game, the passing attack still feels like a work in progress. Patrick Mahomes threw two touchdown passes — one each to Rashee Rice and JuJu Smith-Schuster — both on similar crossing routes. Rice had a career day with 12 catches, while Smith-Schuster's TD was his first catch of the season. However, a first-quarter interception by Justin Simmons, his sixth career pick against Mahomes, remains a blemish.

Rushing Offense: B
With Isiah Pacheco out, Carson Steele stepped up, rushing for 72 yards on 17 carries. Most of the yardage came behind the solid interior blocking of center Creed Humphrey and guards Joe Thuney and Trey Smith. However, questionable play-calling near the goal line led to stalled drives, with a direct snap and jumbo package going nowhere and forcing field goals.

Passing Defense: B
A controversial roughing-the-passer call on Chris Jones extended a Falcons drive that resulted in a touchdown, but overall, the Chiefs' defense held its own. Felix Anudike-Uzomah registered his first career sack, and Chamarri Conner grabbed the team's first interception of the season, setting up a late field goal. A defensive lapse, however, allowed Drake London to score the game's first touchdown after a miscommunication between Nazeeh Johnson and Drue Tranquill.

Rushing Defense: A
Kansas City's defense stifled Falcons RB Bijan Robinson, holding him to just 31 yards on 16 carries, a stark contrast to his 97-yard performance the previous week. The Chiefs limited Atlanta to only 82 total rushing yards, dominating time of possession.

Special Teams: C
Harrison Butker connected on three field goals (53, 44, and 21 yards) but missed a crucial extra point, keeping the Falcons within one score. Additionally, a botched snap nearly led to disaster, but punter Matt Araiza made a leaping grab to save the play.