ATLANTA (Ticker) -- The Atlanta Falcons hope to end their season on a winning note today when they host the Kansas City Chiefs in an interconference matchup.
Atlanta advanced to the Super Bowl two season ago but it has been all downhill since as the Falcons have gone just 8-23 in the last two seasons. With a loss in this contest, Atlanta will finish 3-13 for the first time since 1996.
The season got off to a promising start for the Falcons, who opened the campaign at home with a 36-28 victory over San Francisco. But Atlanta has not won at the Georgia Dome since, losing all six of its games.
The Falcons have lost six straight games overall, the longest skid since Dan Reeves became coach in 1997. There has been rumors that Reeves could leave the sidelines after this season and head upstairs to assume general manager duties.
Atlanta suffered its latest loss last Sunday, dropping a 23-7 decision at New Orleans. Rookie Darrick Vaughn returned a kickoff 88 yards for a touchdown for the Falcons' only points.
After not starting the last two games in favor of rookie Doug Johnson, veteran Chris Chandler returns at quarterback for Atlanta this week.
The Chiefs also are finishing off a disappointing season. Since enduring a five-game losing streak that knocked them out of postseason contention, the Chiefs have won consecutive games and are a victory away from a .500 finish.
In one of its best efforts of the season, Kansas City posted a 20-7 victory over the Denver Broncos last Sunday.
On his 29th birthday, Tony Richardson ran for a career-high 156 yards and a touchdown. It was the biggest rushing day by a Chief since Barry Word gained 200 yards in a game in 1990.
Kansas City is 4-0 all-time against the Falcons. The teams have not met since the Chiefs rolled to a 30-10 victory in Atlanta in 1994.
