CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Patrick Mahomes showcased his skills by throwing for 269 yards and three touchdowns as the Kansas City Chiefs triumphed over the Carolina Panthers, 30-27. Spencer Shrader capped the game with a 31-yard field goal as time ran out, allowing the Chiefs to secure their 10th consecutive season with at least ten wins.
The Chiefs (10-1) rebounded from their previous week’s loss to the Buffalo Bills, where they fell 30-21. Once again, they emerged victorious in a nail-biter, adding to their season filled with close games. Noah Gray stood out by catching two touchdown passes, while DeAndre Hopkins also contributed with a touchdown catch, helping the two-time defending Super Bowl champions score on their first five offensive drives.
For the Panthers (3-8), Bryce Young had a solid performance, completing 21 of 35 passes for 262 yards and a touchdown. Young’s efforts included a crucial fourth-down pass to Adam Thielen, leading to a necessary touchdown by Chuba Hubbard after a pass interference call on Chamarri Conner set up first-and-goal. The Panthers managed to tie the game with 1:46 remaining when Hubbard successfully rushed for a 2-point conversion.
As the game drew to a close, Mahomes energized the Chiefs’ drive by rushing for 33 yards, aided by a key block from Justin Watson. He then connected with Kareem Hunt for an additional 10 yards, positioning the team perfectly for Shrader’s game-winning field goal. In total, Mahomes had 60 yards on the ground, reinforcing his dual-threat capabilities.
The Chiefs set an aggressive tone early in the game. Samaje Perine’s 56-yard kickoff return paved the way for a 7-0 lead when Mahomes found Gray for a 35-yard touchdown pass shortly after the game began. It was Gray’s second straight game with multiple touchdown catches, adding an 11-yard touchdown reception later in the second quarter.
While the Panthers demonstrated offensive movement, they faced challenges in the red zone, resulting in four field goals of varying distances from kicker Eddy Pineiro, who is noted for his accuracy in the league.
Additionally, running back Jonathan Brooks had a modest NFL debut, managing just seven yards on two carries.
The Chiefs’ ability to win close games has been notable this season, with eight of their victories coming by a single-score. This match marked their second consecutive win decided in the final moments, having previously secured a victory against Denver with a blocked field goal.
In an individual highlight, Kansas City tight end Travis Kelce had six catches for 62 yards, moving him to third place for career receiving yards among tight ends, trailing only Tony Gonzalez and Jason Witten. However, it is worth noting that Kelce has not reached the end zone for the ninth time in eleven games this season.
In terms of health updates, rookie tight end Ja’Tavion Sanders of the Panthers was transported to the hospital with a neck injury sustained after a hard fall following a catch near halftime.
Looking ahead, the Chiefs are set to host the Las Vegas Raiders on Friday, while the Panthers will play at home against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers next Sunday.
