5 things to know about the Falcons on Friday

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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)

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