Falcons vs. Chiefs: Spread Info, Line and Predictions

The Atlanta Falcons and Kansas City Chiefs begin the season on Sunday with one of the most evenly matched games of Week 1. Both teams have reason to believe they should emerge victorious, so it will all come down to which side executes the game plan better.

Atlanta is coming off a 10-6 season which resulted in the team's third playoff appearance in the past four years. Despite that positive trend, the Falcons have been eliminated in their first postseason game each time, leaving plenty of room for improvement.

The Chiefs fell one game short of a logjam for first place in the AFC West last season, mostly due to an offense that struggled to produce. A bounce-back season from the unit would put Kansas City right back in the playoff race.

Here's all the vital information for Sunday's game, followed by a look at the spread info, fantasy players to watch and more for the opener.

Where: Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Mo.

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

Watch: Fox

Live Stream: NFL Sunday Ticket

Spread: Falcons -3 (via Vegas Insider)

At first glance, the Falcons might seem like the obvious pick here. They were the better team last season and are receiving more hype than the Chiefs. Yet, whenever a pick feels too easy, it usually is, and that's the case here.

Kansas City has more talent than its record from last season would indicate. With Jamaal Charles back from injury, the Chiefs offense has the game-breaking player it sorely lacked. Add in home-field advantage, and the Chiefs are a solid pick with the points.

That said, this might be one of those games that people are better off avoiding because the difference between the two sides is minimal.

Over/Under: 43.5 (via Vegas Insider)

Both teams ranked in the top 12 in points allowed last season. So even though neither team is mentioned when analysts are talking about the game's elite defenses, both the Falcons and Chiefs hold their own on that side of the ball.

Combined with the fact it usually takes offenses a little longer to build chemistry, and "under" would be the safer pick here. A game that finished with a total in the high 30s or low 40s is the most likely scenario for these two promising squads.

Key Injuries (via CBS Sports)

Falcons: Christopher Owens (probable, hamstring) and Jason Snelling (probable, calf)

Chiefs: Derrick Johnson (questionable, ankle), Brandon Flowers (questionable, foot), Jovan Belcher (questionable, groin), Kendrick Lewis (questionable, shoulder) and Anthony Toribio (questionable, ankle)

Fantasy Big Plays

Falcons: Roddy White

Most of the attention when it comes to Falcons receivers has been on second-year rising star Julio Jones. But make no mistake: White is still the go-to guy for Matt Ryan. He has reached at least 100 catches and eight touchdowns in two straight seasons.

The Chiefs are dealing with some injuries in their secondary, which should allow White to start his season with a good performance. He was drafted as a No. 1 receiver in most fantasy leagues, so top-tier production is what owners will expect every week.

Chiefs: Jamaal Charles

A knee injury stopped Charles from reaching the 1,000-yard mark for the third straight season. He's back healthy and hasn't shown any signs of decreased agility or speed during the preseason, giving owners hope he'll return to his usual dynamic playmaker ways.

The Chiefs don't want this game to become a shootout because of Atlanta's weapons in the passing game, so look for Charles to serve as the focal point of the offense. It's a roll that should allow him to put up big fantasy numbers.

Key to Falcons Win: Matt Ryan

Ryan has been on the precipice of greatness for the last couple years, but still hasn't reached the same level as quarterbacks like Aaron Rodgers and Tom Brady quite yet. In order for the Falcons to make a deep playoff run, that's what they need from Ryan.

All the weapons are in place for him to take his game to the next level. He has two tremendous wide receivers in White and Jones to go along with a reliable veteran tight end in Tony Gonzalez. And the running game should provide the necessary help as well.

Ryan has the ability. He has the supporting cast. Now he has to go out and prove he's one of the best quarterbacks in the league beyond a shadow of a doubt.

Key to Chiefs Win: Defensive depth

Tamba Hali is unavailable for the Chiefs' first game due to suspension, and a number of other defensive players are battling injuries. In order for Kansas City to slow down the potent Falcons offense, backups forced into duty will have to elevate their games.

As previously mentioned, the Chiefs will likely try to employ a ball-control offense to limit the number of possessions the Falcons get, but the defense still needs to come up with big stops. The story doesn't change depending on who's in the lineup.

Luckily for the Chiefs, they do have adequate depth on defense, and head coach Romeo Crennel specializes in defense.

Prediction

Chiefs 21, Falcons 20