The Kansas City Chiefs are getting ready to face the Atlanta Falcons back home at Arrowhead Stadium in Week 16. These two teams have only faced off nine times dating back to 1972. This is the first time that Atlanta has traveled to Kansas City for a game since 2012.

To learn more about Kansas City’s opponent, we spoke with managing editor Matt Urban over at Falcons Wire and asked him a few questions.

Chiefs Wire: We’re only four years removed from Matt Ryan’s MVP season. Do you think he is still capable of that quality of play? Could this be his last season as the starter for the Falcons?

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Matt Urben: Ryan still has a lot of good football left in him, but this season
has brought out the worst in him in some ways. The Falcons’ offensive
scheme is painfully stale but offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter won’t
be back next year.

I think Ryan can still be a top-10 QB. Last week, he threw for 350+
yards, three touchdowns, zero interceptions and Atlanta still lost to
the Buccaneers. Some fans would like to move on, but Ryan’s contract
makes it nearly impossible to do so. I think he’s back in Atlanta next
season, although I wouldn’t rule out the team drafting a QB.

Chiefs Wire: What’s the deal with Julio Jones’ injury and do you anticipate that he’ll be to play in this game?

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Matt Urben: Jones probably won’t play as he deals with a severe hamstring
injury that he’s fought all season. The All-Pro receiver had a PRP
injection last week and hopes to try and get back on the field. I just
don’t see the upside to him playing when Atlanta has already been
eliminated from the playoffs.

If the Falcons are smart, they’ll shut him down for the year and see
what they have in some of their younger receivers. Russell Gage and
Calvin Ridley have been lighting it up without Jones over the past two
weeks.

Chiefs Wire: Travis Kelce has been one of the top receivers in the NFL over the past 8 games, how do you anticipate the Falcons defense will try to defend him this week?

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Matt Urben: For as bad as the Falcons defense, and secondary in particular, has been this season, MLB Deion Jones is one of the NFL’s top coverage
linebackers. On Sunday, Jones is likely to be matched up against Kelce
and it should be a fun battle to watch.

Even against a great linebacker like Jones, though, I expect Kelce to
do some damage. Atlanta’s defense is capable of playing well — as it
did against the Raiders a few weeks ago — but against Kansas City, I
don’t expect the team to have an answer for all of the Chiefs’
weapons.

Chiefs Wire: Do you think this game will be any more of an audition for Raheem Morris to keep the Falcons’ head-coaching job than past games considering he’s going against another candidate in Chiefs OC Eric Bieniemy?

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Matt Urben: That’s a great question and the answer is yes. This week, the
Falcons front office said Morris will get an interview to stay on as
the head coach. His record is 4-5 since taking over, but a win against
a powerhouse like the Chiefs would really help his resume.

Playing against Bieniemy, Falcons fans will be watching this one
closely. If Morris’ defense can stop or slow down Kansas City’s
offense, I think it will go a long way in helping him keep the Falcons
gig beyond this season.

Chiefs Wire: Do you have any hot takes heading into Week 16 and what is your prediction for the outcome of the game?

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Matt Urben: I expect Atlanta to play well for the first three quarters and keep this a competitive game. In the fourth quarter, though, the Falcons
have struggled all season against less talented quarterbacks than Pat
Mahomes.

The Falcons will lose a heartbreaker and have to settle for another
moral victory. I like the Chiefs, 34-31.