Falcons vs. Chiefs: Players Set for Mighty Performances at Arrowhead on Sunday

The first Sunday of the 2012 NFL season is officially upon us, and that means the highly anticipated matchup between the Atlanta Falcons and Kansas City Chiefs from Arrowhead Stadium is vital for both teams, who are looking to get off to a hot start.

This game is challenging to predict, as both teams are capable of making the playoffs this season and boast exceptional talents on both sides of the ball. 

So instead, we'll highlight some stars who are primed for a mighty performance. 

Let's begin. 

Michael Turner

The Kansas City Chiefs were the seventh-worst defense in the NFL last season in terms of defending the run. KC allowed 132 yards per game on the ground, and gave up 14 rushing touchdowns over the course of the 2011 season.

That's why I love Atlanta Falcons running back Michael Turner's matchup in Week 1 at Arrowhead. Turner has rushed for more than 1,300 yards in each of the past two seasons and has scored at least 10 touchdowns in every season dating back to 2008.

Turner is a big back, and a workhorse for Atlanta. The Chiefs boast a stingy pass defense, which surprisingly ranked sixth in the league last season and will keep the Falcons' pass attack under wraps. With Atlanta holding an advantage on the ground offensively, look for Turner to have a big day running the ball. 

Dwayne Bowe

Atlanta was mediocre defending the pass last season, while Kansas City's Dwayne Bowe was sensational once again. The veteran wide receiver recorded his second straight 1,100-plus-yard receiving season with the Chiefs in 2011.

The 6'2" Bowe has 36 receiving touchdowns over five NFL seasons and is sure to score on Sunday at home against the Falcons. 

With Chiefs veteran passer Matt Cassel throwing him the ball, Bowe will be effective for all four quarters and be the Chiefs' biggest threat to put points on the board. 

Jamaal Charles

The Chiefs running back is coming off of a devastating ACL injury that caused him to miss 14 games last season. It should be noted that Charles was averaging a remarkable 6.9 yards per carry in 2011 before going down to injury.

Charles rushed for 1,100-plus yards in 2009 and 2010, scoring 12 rushing touchdowns in both of those seasons combined. What makes Charles so dangerous, though, is how efficient he is with his touches. Through four seasons, he has never averaged less than 5.3 yards per carry. 

With Peyton Hillis added to Kansas City's backfield this fall, I expect Jamaal Charles to excel as a healthy playmaker. His journey back to greatness will begin on Sunday against the Falcons at Arrowhead. 

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