Chiefs beat Panthers. Three takeaways.

Shoutout to Bryce Young.

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“I told you, I don’t wanna make good TV, it’s just what I do. You’ve never seen me win a blowout, I just keep it real close till the end.” At the time, we all laughed. The concept of an NFL quarterback being so absurdly talented that he could manufacture drama on command for entertainment value seemed like peak Mahomes humor. But now, as each week goes by, I’m not entirely sure Patrick was joking.

The Chiefs beat the Panthers 30-27 on a walk-off field goal, improving to 10-1 and rebounding from last week’s loss to Buffalo. It wasn’t pretty, and it wasn’t easy. Bryce Young, who has spent most of his career looking like he was drafted into the wrong league, suddenly resembled a No. 1 overall pick—for the first time, because of course he did.

And then there’s the Chiefs’ odd curse: the offense and defense simply refuse to be good at the same time. When one unit steps up, the other decides to take the day off. It’s frustrating, baffling, and somehow still entertaining—very on-brand for Mahomes’ “good TV” ethos.

With a short week before facing the Raiders on Friday, let’s dive into some key takeaways from the Chiefs’ heart-stopping win.

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Takeaway One: Noah Gray has genuine tight end one upside.

Earlier this season, I dubbed Noah Gray “Baby Kelce,” and week by week, that comparison feels more appropriate. With two touchdowns against Carolina this week and two more against Buffalo just last week, Gray is making his presence felt in a big way. His season totals now stand at 315 yards on 27 receptions with four scores, putting him on pace for roughly 500 yards and six touchdowns by season’s end. That level of production is impressive for any tight end, let alone one playing behind the Travis Kelce.

When the Chiefs handed Gray a 3-year, $18 million extension just hours before the season opener, many questioned whether Brett Veach had overpaid. But as we’ve come to expect, Veach seems to be playing chess while everyone else is playing checkers. Gray has not only justified the investment but has also demonstrated why the Chiefs staff rates him so highly.

What stands out most about Gray isn’t just his ability to make plays but the versatility and reliability he brings to the offense. Whether he’s lining up in the slot, blocking in the run game, or coming through in the red zone, Gray is proving he can do it all. He’s not just a complementary piece to Kelce—he’s showing legitimate TE1 upside.

As Kelce continues to defy Father Time, it’s comforting for Chiefs Kingdom to know there’s someone like Gray ready to ease the burden on an aging superstar. And someday, when the unthinkable happens and Kelce hangs up his cleats, Gray could very well step into those enormous shoes and keep the Chiefs’ tight end dominance alive.

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Takeaway Two: Chiefs cavalry cannot arrive soon enough.

It’s not every day that a team gets to address their biggest needs midseason without a blockbuster trade or signing, but the Chiefs are about to experience just that. DJ Humphries, Isiah Pacheco, Hollywood Brown, and Charles Omenihu are all set to return soon, and while the circumstances surrounding their absences have been far from ideal, their impending impact could be game-changing.

Let’s treat this like free agency and look at how these returning stars address Kansas City’s greatest needs:

Left Tackle: DJ Humphries - ACL

The Chiefs have a massive, glaring issue at left tackle, and while DJ Humphries might not be the knight in shining armor Chiefs fans were hoping for, he could still provide a critical upgrade over Wanya Morris. Similar to how Donovan Smith stabilized the position last year, Humphries' experience and steadiness could help patch up what has been a leaky blind side for Mahomes.

Running Back: Isiah Pacheco - Broken fibula

With Pacheco and Kareem Hunt forming a dangerous tandem, Mahomes can operate with less pressure on his shoulders, and defenses will have to respect the run game.

Wide Receiver: Hollywood Brown - Sternoclavicular injury

Injuries and inconsistency have plagued the Chiefs' receiving corps, and while DeAndre Hopkins has been steady, Hollywood Brown’s speed and ability to stretch the field will give the offense a much-needed spark. His chemistry with Mahomes could be a difference-maker in December and beyond, particularly in high-stakes games.

Pass Rush: Charles Omenihu - ACL

The Chiefs’ defense has been stout, but the pass rush has been inconsistent. Omenihu’s return addresses this directly, adding a dynamic, versatile rusher to complement Chris Jones and George Karlaftis. With Omenihu back in the mix, the defense can generate more consistent pressure, forcing opponents into mistakes and taking some heat off the secondary.

While injuries have tested this team’s depth, the Chiefs now have the opportunity to strengthen their lineup with players who are hungry to contribute. If these returns play out as hoped, Kansas City might not just weather the storm—they could become an even more complete team at exactly the right time.

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Takeaway Three: Understanding the baffling Chiefs way of making bad quarterbacks look good.

There’s something uniquely frustrating about the Chiefs’ defense when it comes to facing struggling quarterbacks. It’s like an unwritten rule in Kansas City: “If the quarterback is bad, let’s make them look like Joe Montana for a day.” This week’s beneficiary? Bryce Young.

Young, who was benched earlier this season and has spent most of his career looking like the NFL stage is too big for him, played arguably his best game as a pro. He threw for over 260 yards, tossed a touchdown, and almost engineered a signature upset. The Chiefs’ defense, which has otherwise been effective this season, gave him just enough space to shine—missed tackles, soft coverage, and inconsistent pass rush all played their part.

This isn’t a one-time occurrence, either. The Chiefs have a habit of allowing struggling quarterbacks to find their groove. Zach Wilson’s magical night in New York last season? Check. Jordan Love’s breakout outing at Arrowhead in 2021? Double check. If there’s a QB in crisis, the Chiefs’ defense seems to hand them the NFL equivalent of a “Get Out of Jail Free” card.

This is one of life’s great mysteries, right up there with Stonehenge and why Andy Reid refuses to call normal plays on 3rd-and-1. But if I had to hazard a guess, it goes something like this:

1. Playing the Chiefs = Most Teams’ Super Bowl

Even in the regular season, facing Kansas City is a marquee event. For struggling quarterbacks like Bryce Young, it’s a no-pressure situation. Take Sunday, for instance: thrust back into the lineup after an injury to Andy Dalton, Young faced the back-to-back champs with the football world expecting a blowout. There’s no weight of expectation on him; nobody thinks he’ll win. And when there’s no pressure, suddenly things start to click.

2. The People’s Hero for a Day

Let’s face it: outside of Kansas City, people want to see the Chiefs lose. They’re the NFL’s dominant dynasty, the big bad wolf everyone loves to root against. Enter a young, struggling quarterback like Bryce Young, who instantly becomes the underdog. For the first time in his NFL career, Young had the support of fans, analysts, and Twitter alike. Everyone was willing him to succeed, and in that environment, it’s a lot easier to play loose and free. What better stage for your breakout game than against the champs, with everyone watching?

3. Chiefs Sleepwalking Through Games

It’s no secret that Kansas City can take their foot off the gas against less imposing opponents. It’s like they treat these games as glorified scrimmages, trusting Mahomes to pull a rabbit out of his hat when things get tight. Meanwhile, these "lesser" teams treat the matchup like the Super Bowl. They’re hyper-focused, they over-prepare, and they come out swinging. That kind of preparation, combined with the Chiefs’ occasional complacency, is enough to close the talent gap—if only for one day.

So, the next time the Chiefs face a struggling quarterback, don’t be surprised if they suddenly look like a Pro Bowler. It’s just the way it goes.

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