KC Chiefs hope to summon some Eric Berry magic vs. Falcons in Atlanta on Sunday

Several former Chiefs are listed among the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s 167 modern-era nominees for the class of 2025.

Some, like Jamaal Charles, Priest Holmes, Dave Szott, Brian Waters and Donnie Edwards, spent all or the majority of their careers in Kansas City. Others, such as Jared Allen, spent part of their careers with the Chiefs.

With the Chiefs playing Sunday at the Atlanta Falcons, let’s focus in on one of those nominees:

Eric Berry.

The three-time All-Pro safety was the fifth overall draft pick in the 2010 NFL Draft and made an immediate impact for the Chiefs, turning in the first of his five Pro Bowl seasons as a rookie. His two most decorated seasons came in 2015 and 2016, after he’d overcome Hodgkin’s lymphoma.

One game stands out, and it was last time the Chiefs played in Atlanta. It already was going to be a special occasion for Berry, who grew up 15 minutes from the Atlanta airport. He was going to play near home for the first (and only) time as a pro.

His parents sat in or near the front row. We know this because — in one of the most remarkable days by a Chiefs player ever — Berry returned an interception for a touchdown ... and then, with 4 1/2 minutes remaining, he returned Matt Ryan’s two-point conversion pass the length of a field.

The latter pick provided the Chiefs the go-ahead points in a 29-28 triumph: Berry became the first player to win a game by returning a two-point conversation with this team trailing.

But here’s the touching part. After the pick-six, Berry went to stands and handed the ball to his mom. The pick-two went to his father.

“I shed a few tears before the game,” Berry said in a postgame news conference that was moved from the locker room to a nearby hallway because of the media crush.

“I shed a few during the game, I shed a few after,” he said.

Berry’s career ended in 2018, a year before the Chiefs won their first Super Bowl under coach Andy Reid. Berry was selected to the NFL’s all-decade team.

The list of 2025 Hall of Fame nominees is largely a collection of recent players Chiefs fans would’ve liked to see be a part of the franchise’s current run of Super Bowl success. Berry might top that list.

And he wasn’t the only Chiefs player who had a big day the last time KC visited Atlanta. Who will emerge as a hero this time?

Here’s who to watch on Sunday Night Football:

Chiefs player to watch: tight end Travis Kelce

Kelce was in his fourth pro season when the Chiefs last played at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Although he didn’t get into the end zone, he racked up a then-career best 140 yards on eight receptions.

Kelce would love to find that kind of production Sunday after a slow start to the season (he’s caught just four passes for 39 yards through two games). Last week, against the Cincinnati Bengals, Kelce drew heavy defensive attention and finished with one reception for five yards.

Reid isn’t concerned.

“(Opponents) have some things that they were attempting there,” the coach said. “He’ll get his catches. It’s not that he’s slowing down or any of that bit.”

Falcons player to watch: running back Bijan Robinson

Kirk Cousins and the passing game were largely responsible for the Falcons’ game-winning drive against the Philadelphia Eagles on Monday Night Football.

But Bijan Robinson and the running game helped Atlanta keep pace in the first half. The former Texas star finished with 97 rushing yards, 72 before halftime.

The Chiefs’ rush-defense stats are inflated by the 122 yards gained by Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson in Week 1. Against teams’ top running backs, the Chiefs have been good, holding the Ravens’ Derrick Henry to 46 yards on 13 carries and the Bengals’ Zack Moss to 34 yards on 12 attempts.

Special teams player to watch: Chiefs’ Joshua Williams

Williams, a cornerback, continues to get snaps on defense but also remains a valuable special teams contributor, especially in coverage.

Against the Bengals, Williams made a big tackle after a 63-yard punt by Matt Araiza. Cincinnati set up at the 16 and punted the ball back to the Chiefs, who then began their game-winning draft.