Kansas City (9-1) will face off against Carolina (3-7) on Sunday at 1 p.m. EST, with the game being broadcast on CBS. BetMGM has set the odds favoring the Chiefs by 11 points. Currently, Kansas City has a record of 5-5 against the spread, while the Panthers sit at 3-7. In their historical matchups, the Chiefs hold a lead at 5-2, having last defeated the Panthers 33-31 on November 8, 2020, in Kansas City.
The Chiefs are coming off a loss to the Bills, with a score of 30-21, whereas the Panthers enjoyed a bye week after their victory against the Giants in Germany, where they won 20-17 in Week 10. In terms of offensive statistics, Kansas City ranks 16th overall, standing 23rd in rushing, 11th in passing, and 11th in scoring. Defensively, they are stronger, ranking 5th overall, 3rd against the run, 17th against the pass, and 8th in scoring defense. The Panthers, in contrast, are struggling, with their offense ranked 32nd overall, 24th in rushing, 31st in passing, and 29th in scoring. Their defense is also lagging, ranking 29th overall, 32nd against the run, 24th against the pass, and 32nd in scoring defense. Both teams have a turnover differential of minus-5.
Key players to watch for the Chiefs include running back Isiah Pacheco and defensive end Charles Omenihu, provided they are healthy enough to play. Pacheco has been sidelined due to ankle surgery since Week 2, leading Kansas City to sign Kareem Hunt, which could form a formidable backfield if Pacheco returns. Omenihu could boost the pass rush, which struggled against Josh Allen and the Bills last week; he has been recovering from an ACL injury sustained in the playoffs.
For the Panthers, running back Chuba Hubbard is a vital player after achieving a career-high of 153 rushing yards against the Giants before their bye week. He has accrued 818 rushing yards and six touchdowns this season, with an average of 5.1 yards per carry, alongside 30 receptions, including one touchdown catch. If Carolina aims to upset the Chiefs, they’ll lean heavily on Hubbard and rookie Jonathon Brooks to maintain control of the clock and limit Patrick Mahomes’ time on the field, although they face the challenge of going up against the Chiefs’ strong run defense, which ranks third in the league.
An essential matchup to watch will be Mahomes versus the Panthers’ secondary. Following a disappointing loss, Mahomes will likely be focused on bouncing back against a secondary that has allowed 69% completion rates and 18 passing touchdowns this season. Notably, Mahomes has thrown nine touchdown passes in the last four games.
In terms of injuries, the Chiefs have reported everyone practiced this week, making their roster healthier as the season moves forward. The Panthers anticipate the return of left tackle Ickey Ekwonu (ankle) and wide receiver Adam Thielen (hamstring) from injuries. Additionally, rookie running back Jonathon Brooks, who has not played since an ACL tear during college, is expected to make his debut with Miles Sanders sidelined due to an ankle injury. Carolina also placed tight end Ian Thomas on injured reserve earlier this week due to a calf issue.
This game will mark the first time Mahomes has played at Bank of America Stadium, and the Chiefs will be looking to extend their winning streak against Carolina, having not lost to them since 2008.
On the statistical front, Mahomes recently recorded three touchdown passes in his last game, marking his 40th instance with that achievement. He needs four more touchdown passes to surpass Len Dawson (237) for the most in franchise history. Tight end Noah Gray set a career milestone with two touchdowns against the Bills, and Travis Kelce is currently tied for the Chiefs’ record with 76 touchdown receptions, needing five more to set the new franchise record. Kelce is also just seven yards from surpassing Antonio Gates for the third-most receiving yards by a tight end in NFL history. Furthermore, defensive tackle Chris Jones has accumulated 78.5 sacks, placing him fourth in team history.
For the Panthers, quarterback Bryce Young is set to make his fourth consecutive start. Although his overall record as a starter is 4-17, he enters this game having won back-to-back outings, with a modest performance of 126 yards and one touchdown against the Giants. Additionally, rookie wide receiver Xavier Legette has made a significant impact, catching 11 of 17 targets from Young in the last three games for a total of 107 yards and two touchdowns. Linebacker Josey Jewell also contributed to the Giants’ win with an interception and a fumble recovery. On a unique note, Carolina kicker Eddy Pineiro has surged to become the NFL’s all-time most accurate kicker, with a conversion rate of 89.3% on his field goals as he prepares to enter free agency after this season.
In fantasy football strategy, Hunt’s playing time has dipped to 14 carries in each of the past two games after averaging 24.2 carries in the previous four contests. With Pacheco’s possible return, Hunt could still have a notable performance against a Panthers defense that ranks last against the run, allowing an average of 160.1 yards per game.