5 things to know about the Falcons on Friday

http://players.brightcove.net/1345087319/default_default/index.html?videoId=5231008702001

FLOWERY BRANCH -- The Falcons (7-4) are set to face the Kansas City Chiefs (8-3) at 1 p.m. Sunday at the Georgia Dome.

Here are five things to know about the Falcons on Friday:

1. INSIDE INFORMATION: Falcons assistant general manager Scott Pioli was Kansas City's general manager from 2009 to 2012.

Some of his draft picks include safety Eric Berry, linebacker Justin Houston and defensive tackle Dontari Poe.

“Certainly some of the guys we talked about with Scott and has background on them and knows them," Falcons coach Dan Quinn said.  "Some of the ones that he selected have turned out to be terrific guys. Dontari Poe, Eric Berry, and Justin Houston just to name a few. It’s a good group and it’s an organization and team we’ve got a lot of respect for."

2. PASS RUSH: Last season, the Atlanta Falcons could not pressure the quarterback. The Falcons (7-4) had only 19 sacks in 2015, the lowest mark in the league since 2009. So in free agency, Atlanta signed one of the most prolific pass rushers in NFL history: defensive end Dwight Freeney. Read how he's helped the franchise.

3. HOSPITAL CHRISTMAS CAROLS: In celebration of the holiday season, Falcons players and staff will visit Children's Healthcare of Atlanta at Scottish Rite to sing holiday carols for patients and their families from 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. on Tuesday. A Falcons players and staff, Santa Claus and a guitarist will go room-to-room at the hospital to sing holiday carols and sign autographs to patients.

4. SERIES RECORD: This will be the 9th regular-season meeting. The Chiefs lead the series 5-3. The Falcons have won the last two meetings.

5. TALE OF THE TAPE. 2016 Regular Season Statistics Rankings.

Falcons                                             Chiefs

32.5 (1)         Points/Game                              22.9 (16)

411.5 (3)       Total Offense                             328.3 (27)

108.4 (15)     Net Rushing Yards/Game       96.5 (23)

303.1 (3)      Net Passing Yards/Game         231.7 (23)

29:36 (21)    Possession Average                    29:33 (22)

27.5 (29)      Opponent Points/Game             19.5 (8)

381.0 (27)    Opponent Total Offense           381.9 (28)

98.8 (10)      Opp. Rushing Yards/Game            121.4 (29)

282.2 (32)   Opp. Passing Yards/Game            260.5 (20)

+3 (10t)       Turnover Differential                         +14 (1)

[cmg_cinesport url="http://cinesport.ajc.com/embed/ajc-atlanta-sports/d-led-falcons-must-protect-ball-vs-kc/"]

The Chiefs lead the NFL in turnover differential, so the AJC’s D. Orlando Ledbetter joins Noah Coslov to discuss how the Falcons will prepare for that and how to overcome more defensive injuries.

GAME 11: Falcons 38, Cardinals 19

5 things we learned from the Falcons' win over the Cardinals

Julio Jones gets calls this time

Taylor Gabriel continues scoring streak in win over Cardinals

Coleman scores TD in return from injury

Falcons' offensive line 'stepped up to the task'

Ryan, offense slowed down to a crawl

Perkins stalls key drive with costly penalty

Defense gets blown of the line of scrimmage

Keanu Neal can expect fine but Falcons' biggest issue is injuries (Trufant and Tamme)

Falcons go into bye week wrong way -- beat up by Eagles

What Dan Quinn had to say after the loss to the Eagles

What the Falcons had to say after the loss to the Eagles

PHOTOS: Falcons fall to the Eagles

GAME NINE: Falcons 43, Buccaneers 28

5 things we learned from the Falcons' rout of the Bucs

GAME EIGHT: Falcons 33, Packers 32

5 things we learned from the Falcons' 33-32 win over the Packers

Finally, the Falcons finish: 'We had to stop the bleeding'

GAME SEVEN: Chargers 33, Falcons 30 in OT

5 things we learned from the Falcons loss to the Chargers

Dan Quinn's gamble with house-money backfires

6 penalties 'unacceptable' for Falcons offensive line

Philip Rivers confounds Falcons with short passes: 'He picked us apart'

Matt Ryan's late-game interception leads to overtime loss

PHOTOS: Chargers rally to beat Falcons

GAME SIX: Seahawks 26, Falcons 24

5 things we learned from the Falcons loss to the Seahawks

MARK BRADLEY: The Falcons didn't win, but they made one guy believe (me)

MARK BRADLEY: The Falcons got jobbed but did themselves proud

Matt Ryan's turnovers were costly

What Dan Quinn had to say after the 26-24 loss to Seattle

Seattle slows down Falcons' running backs Freeman, Coleman

Ryan Schraeder, offensive line rebounds in second half

Julio Jones: 'It was just a missed call'

What the Falcons had to say after the 26-24 loss to Seattle

What Matt Ryan had to say after the 26-24 loss to Seattle

Richard Sherman non-commital on pass interference non-call

PHOTOS: Falcons at Seahawks in Seattle

GAME FIVE: Falcons 23, Broncos 16

5 things we learned from the Falcons upset of Super Bowl champs

MARK BRADLEY: The Falcons rock a rookie in the Rockies

What Dan Quinn have to say after the win over Denver

Coleman amassed 163 yards to power the offense

Vic Beasley has breakout game with 3.5 sacks

Kemal Ishmael moved to linebacker, led team in tackles

What the Falcons had to say after the win over the Broncos

Photos: Falcons battle the Broncos

GAME FOUR: Falcons 48, Panthers 33

5 things we learned from the Falcons' 48-33 win over the Panthers

Tweetcap: Falcons 48, Panthers 33

Old pro Freeney shows new trick with Falcons

Falcons' rookie Neal holds on vs. Olsen

What Julio Jones had to say after the 48-33 win over the Panthers

What Dan Quinn had to say after the 48-33 win over the Panthers

What Matt Ryan had to say after the 48-33 win over the Panthers

Alford battled; Collins to return

Early view in NFC South isn't what most expected; Falcons on top

GAME THREE: Falcons 45, Saints 32

5 things we learned from the Falcons' 45-32 win over the Saints

Falcons, Saints protest with unity circle before game

REPORT CARD: Falcons earned high marks for drubbing Saints

What Dan Quinn had to say after the 45-32 win over the Saints

What Matt Ryan had to say after the 45-32 win over the Saints

What the Falcons had to say after the 45-32 win over the Saints

Keanu Neal makes strong debut for Falcons

Falcons' Deion Jones runs for glory, not survival, in return home

AJC POWER RANKINGS: Falcons best in NFC South?

GAME TWO: Falcons 35, Raiders 28

5 things we learned from the Falcons' win over the Raiders

Trufant's heads-up play saves the day

Tight ends help to power offense

Weatherspoon plays strong in first start since 2013

Matthews, Schraeder held Mack sack-less

JEFF SCHULTZ: Falcons put on offensive show and win

What Matt Ryan had to say after beating the Raiders

What Dan Quinn had to say after the win over the Raiders

GAME ONE: Buccaneers 31, Falcons 24

5 things we learned from the Falcons' loss to the Bucs

No sacks for new-look Falcons pass rush

Julio Jones not worried about his ankle injury

Falcons have a case of the "no-huddle" blues

REPORT CARD: Falcons can't 'gift' opponents 17 points

FILM REVIEW: Beasley missing in action

AJC'S NFL POWER RANKINGS: Where are the Falcons?

Hageman charged is domestic violence case