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The Kansas City Chiefs officially kicked off their 2010 preseason schedule on Friday night in Atlanta. The Chiefs fell to the Falcons 20-10 in the Georgia Dome in the club’s first preseason contest.

The Chiefs rookies showed promising signs in their NFL debuts. WR Dexter McCluster led the team in receptions catching three passes for 23 yards and rushing five times for 25 yards. McCluster set up Kansas City’s initial field goal. CB Javier Arenas broke two big returns, one for 42 yards and another 99-yarder to the end zone that was nullified by penalty.

Atlanta was first to touch the ball and steadily moved the chains with their running game. RBs Michael Turner and Jason Snelling pushed the ball to the Chiefs 12-yard line before being stopped shy on a third-two. Attanta K Matt Bryant hit a 30-yard field goal capping a 55-yard drive putting Atlanta up 3-0 with 8:25 left in the opening quarter.

After Kansas City was forced to punt on its opening possession, Atlanta quickly moved the ball into Chiefs territory before being halted by Kansas City’s defense, forcing an 53-yard field goal attempt. Bryant’s kick hit the crossbar and fell shy giving the Chiefs the ball back at their own 43-yard line.

On third-and-six from the Chiefs 47-yard line, QB Matt Cassel was stripped of the football by DE Kroy Biermann. The fumble was recovered by Atlanta’s DE John Abraham at the Chiefs 40-yard line, but Kansas City’s defense forced Atlanta to a three-and-out.

Following an Atlanta punt, the Chiefs took over at their own one-yard line. RB Jamaal Charles helped put the Chiefs offense in motion with runs of 11, 12 and 13 yards, setting up a 53-yard field goal attempt from K Ryan Succop that hit the left upright.

Atlanta QB Chad Redman connected with WR Roddy White for a 22-yard pickup, getting the Falcons to the Chiefs 35-yard line. Kansas City again forced an Atlanta field goal attempt, this time from 50 yards out. Bryant’s kick sailed wide right giving the Chiefs possession at their own 40.

After the teams exchanged punts, QB Brodie Croyle took the helm, leading the Chiefs on a 16-play, 78-yard drive to conclude the first half. WR Dexter McCluster helped jolt the Chiefs offense gaining 25 yards on five carries and three receptions for 23-yards in the second quarter. Working out of the two-minute offense, Croyle connected with RB Kestahn Moore, putting the Chiefs at the Atlanta three-yard line as the clock was winding down. With two seconds on the clock before halftime, the Chiefs knotted the score at 3-3 with a Succop 20-yard field goal.

The Chiefs were first to touch the ball in the second half of play. On third and seven from Kansas City’s 23-yard line, Croyle’s pass was intercepted by Shann Schillinger and returned to the Chiefs 14-yard line. After failing on third and five from the Kansas City nine-yard line the Falcons converted a fourth-and-one to keep the drive alive. The very next play Falcons RB Dimitri Nance scored from two yards out putting Atlanta up 10-7 with 11:37 to play in the third quarter.

On the ensuing kickoff Chiefs CB Javier Arenas returned the ball 42-yards giving Kansas City solid field position. However, three plays later the Chiefs were forced to punt.

The Falcons took over at their own 19-yard line. QB John Parker Wilson orchestrated a 19-play, 81-yard drive with five completions for 48 yards. Wilson hit Nance for a 20-yard TD, however it was brought back after a holding penalty. Nance would later score on a one-yard touchdown run moving the Falcons ahead 17-3 early in the fourth quarter. Atlanta’s drive ate 10 minutes off the clock.

On the ensuing possession Chiefs QB Tyler Palko was intercepted by CB Chevis Jackson at the Kansas City 35 returned to the Chiefs nine-yard line. After a personal foul penalty the Falcons were forced to settle for a 37-yard field goal from K Steve Hauschka increasing the Falcons lead to 20-3.

On the ensuing kickoff, Arenas once again found an open hole and returned the kick 99 yards to the end zone, however, a holding penalty negated the touchdown and the teams exchanged punts.

The Chiefs put together one final scoring drive to close out the contest with QB Tyler Palko moving the squad 84-yards on 15 plays. Palko punched it in with 20 seconds to play in regulation cutting the Falcons lead 20-10. After the ensuing kickoff, Atlanta’s offense kneeled, sealing the Falcons victory 20-10.