After getting gashed for 300 rushing yards in the 23-8 loss to the Raiders last week, the Chiefs now face the NFL's second-leading rusher. Michael Turner ran for a Falcons-record 220 yards -- part of his team's 319-yard rushing total -- in his Atlanta debut against Detroit.

If the Chiefs don't play better run defense in the George Dome, this could be a very long day.

The Chiefs were at their worst in yielding third-down runs. Four third-down carries in the second half produced 123 yards. Darren McFadden had third down runs of 50 (on a killer third-and-11 bolt from his own 25), 19 for a TD and 22. Third-team back Michael Bush added a 32-yard TD on a third-and-five in the final minute.

"Most of the runs we didn't play our gaps," Edwards said. "Our defensive line didn't play real well, didn't allow our linebackers to have a chance. The guards got up on the linebackers, and you can't allow that to happen.

"I think that happens to us because we want to make a play. We press. That comes with youth. Guys want to make a play so bad, but really, all you need to do is your job. We mentally don't do that at times."

BY THE NUMBERS: 0-2 -- Kansas City's season-opening record in each of its first three seasons under coach Herm Edwards.

4 -- Number of players remaining on the Chiefs roster from the 2004 team that last blasted Atlanta, 56-10.

25.7 -- Average age of the Chiefs' 53-man opening-day roster, tying with the Green Bay for the youngest team in the league.

QUOTE TO NOTE: "Anybody who says that is probably not very bright in the first place, or doesn't know anything about football. Herm is trying to do what's best for this team. But let's be honest: We have to find out who's going to be our quarterback for the future." -- Three-time Pro Bowl guard Brian Waters, when a reporter asked whether giving little-used QB Tyler Thigpen the start in Atlanta sent the message that Herm Edwards was more interested in developing young players than winning games.