Falcons vs. Chiefs: TV Schedule, Live Stream, Spread Info, Game Time and More

The Atlanta Falcons (0-0) will hit the road to start their long and arduous journey back to the postseason, which begins with a tough matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs (0-0).

Both franchises have made quite a few major offseason changes and acquisitions, and each team should be excited to get out on the gridiron to prove that they are legitimate contenders in 2012.

Let’s take a look at this exciting Week 1 matchup, where to catch the contest, a handful of players to keep an eye on for fantasy purposes and a prediction on the final score. 

Where: Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, Mo.

When: Sunday, Sept. 9 at 1:00 p.m. ET

Watch: FOX

Live Stream: NFL Sunday Ticket

Listen: NFL Audio Pass

Betting Line: Falcons -3 (-105), Over/Under 43.5 (via ScoresAndOdds.com) 

What’s At Stake?

This is the first game of the season, and it will feature two teams that have high hopes for the playoffs.

Recording a win here could easily impact how the rest of the season goes for both squads. The momentum from an important win in Week 1 cannot be underestimated.

While this game won’t have the same stakes as a divisional rivalry, you can expect both the Chiefs and Falcons—both relatively evenly matched on paper—to be scrapping to come away with the W.

Falcons Injury Report (via CBSSports.com)

DL Corey Peters—Foot—NFI (Eligible to return Week 8)

Chiefs Injury Report (via CBSSports.com)

QB Brady Quinn—Neck—QST

LB Derrick Johnson—Ankle—QST

LB Tamba Hali—Suspension—OUT (Eligible to return Week 2)

DB Brandon Flowers—Foot—PRB 

Fantasy Start ‘Em, Sit’ Em and Sleeper

Start ’Em: Julio Jones, WR, ATL

Jones has a great matchup, especially if Flowers is out or playing against Roddy White on the other side of the field. He's got an elite QB in Matt Ryan and the rest of the pieces in place to have a big day.

The second-year receiver is an absolute monster in the red zone and is a favorite by many fantasy football analysts to have a breakout season. It could all start on Sunday against the Chiefs.

Sit ‘Em: Matt Cassel, QB, KC

It’s doubtful that many people are starting Cassel in many leagues, but they’d be wise to sit him this week due to the matchup.

The Falcons, on paper, have the best trio of cornerbacks in the league and some solid safeties to boot.

Dwayne Bowe is the only capable receiver on the K.C. roster capable of outdueling his matchup—Asante Samuel, Brent Grimes or Dunta Robinson—and making an impact.

Sleeper: Tony Gonzalez, TE, ATL

With the Chiefs putting so much focus on stopping White and Jones, the experienced TE could be in line for a monster day.

He’s a great red-zone target, capable of making crafty veteran plays and slipping from coverage into open space. 

What They’re Saying

D. Orlando Ledbetter of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution caught up with some of the Falcons coaching staff to put together a preview of their upcoming opponent.

Here is what Atlanta’s offensive coordinator, Dirk Koetter, had to say about the secondary he will be facing on Sunday:

"

Kansas City’s secondary has been a little beat up over the preseason. One of their best players, [Brandon] Flowers has not been out there at all. The free safety [Kendrick Lewis] has been out the last couple of weeks. They’re banged up. They definitely have some talented guys back there and they are very well coached. Again, like I was just saying, the mystery is ‘are they playing the same thing in the preseason that they are going to play against the Falcons?’ We don’t know that. But we know we’re in for a big challenge.

"

Falcons Player to Watch: Julio Jones

This is supposedly going to be Jones’ breakout year, so he’s got to prove that the preseason hype actually has some substance behind it.

He’s playing one of the softest secondary units in the league that is decimated by injury to start the year, so there is no excuse if Jones disappears or doesn’t put together a solid game.

Chiefs Player to Watch: Jamaal Charles

Charles will be making his first regular-season start since Sept. 18 of last year. He’s fully recovered from the knee injury that ended his 2011 campaign and should be back with a vengeance.

The Chiefs will need the 24-year-old RB to shine if they want a chance against this tough Atlanta defense.

Prediction: Falcons 21, Chiefs 17

This should be a back-and-forth battle all afternoon long, but a healthy Falcons defense—with all the playmaking ability that they possess—will be the difference between a win and loss for ATL.

The Dirty Birds will come up with a major stop or takeaway that will completely swing the game and allow them to walk out of Arrowhead with a victory.