The Atlanta Falcons (1-2) suffered a 22-17 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs (3-0) on Sunday Night Football at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

On a night that saw owner Arthur Blank inducted into the team’s Ring of Honor at halftime, the Falcons had multiple chances to win but couldn’t capitalize, ultimately delivering a heartbreaking game.

Here are three lessons we learned from Atlanta’s second loss in as many home games.

The Falcons had a few chances in the fourth quarter. Atlanta was pinned to the Chiefs’ 7-yard line with five minutes to go and two passes by quarterback Kirk Cousins ​​fell incomplete.

On the next drive, the Falcons got into Chiefs territory, but on 4th and inches an outside sweep to running back Bijan Robinson was stopped in the backfield and the game was called a loss.

Atlanta finished the game just 2-of-9 on third down and 1-of-3 on fourth down, which combined for just 3-of-9. The Chiefs, meanwhile, were 6-of-13 and 1-of-1, respectively.

Kansas City’s offense moved the ball at will in the third quarter, but didn’t do much in the fourth. The unit had just 16 net yards and no first downs.

The Falcons defense played well and gave the offense chances in the final stages, but Atlanta’s defensive struggles in the second and third quarters proved too much to overcome.

Kansas City’s offense scored on five of six possessions after throwing an interception on the opening drive. Two touchdowns and three field goals gave the Chiefs enough points to leave Mercedes-Benz Stadium with a victory.

The Chiefs have won two Super Bowls in a row and are still undefeated. They are one of the best teams in the NFL on an annual basis, and will continue to be so as long as Patrick Mahomes is quarterback.

Still, Atlanta got off to a good start. In a true litmus test under the lights of Sunday Night Football, the Falcons went neck-and-neck with the Chiefs for 60 minutes.

Granted, Atlanta has been a losing force and still hasn’t won a single game at home this season. But for an organization with several new faces in high places, Sunday night’s game shows the Falcons are closer to their expected form than initially thought after a rough Week 1.

Atlanta will be back in action on September 29 at 1:00 p.m. against the New Orleans Saints (2-1) at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.