Chiefs @ Panthers game preview:
- Lewis Green
- Nov 20, 2024
- 5 min read
The Chiefs will look to rebound from their first loss of the season as they hit the road to face Bryce Young and the Carolina Panthers in Week 12. At 9-1, Kansas City is still firmly in control of the AFC, but this matchup provides an opportunity to sharpen their game and begin the climb toward playoff form.
The good news for the Chiefs? Star running back Isiah Pacheco is expected to return, adding a jolt of explosiveness to an offense that has leaned on Kareem Hunt during his absence. With key players working their way back into the lineup, the Chiefs are aiming to hit their stride as the season enters its critical second half.
Let’s dive into the matchups to watch for this clash.
Key Matchups to Watch
1. Chiefs pass rush vs. Bryce Young.
It’s no secret that 2023’s first overall pick, Bryce Young, has struggled as the Panthers’ quarterback. Chosen to be the franchise guy, he was benched early in his sophomore season for veteran journeyman Andy Dalton. Now, Young will get the start on Sunday.
Having led the Panthers to two straight wins—albeit tense affairs against the New Orleans Saints and New York Giants—there’s an undeniable “feel-better-than-usual” factor surrounding Carolina heading into this matchup. The best way for the Chiefs to deal with that? Remind everyone why the first overall pick was benched just 18 games into his career.
And how do the Chiefs do that, you ask? Pass-rush pressure. Make Young’s life hell. Force him into mistakes and introduce him to the turf.
If Chris Jones, George Karlaftis, and the rest of Kansas City’s front can win their matchups up front, the Chiefs can silence the Bank of America Stadium crowd early. That means Patrick Mahomes and the offense won’t need to be exceptional—or even close to it—to secure the win.
2. Chiefs ground game vs. Panthers defense.
Mahomes has been in the league for seven years, but on Sunday, he’ll experience what might be the best backfield of his career. With Isiah Pacheco expected to return and Kareem Hunt playing at a high level, the Chiefs will finally have the pieces to become a true ground-and-pound offense. No longer relying solely on Hunt to shoulder the burden, the tandem of Pacheco and Hunt has the potential to be dangerous.
For a team that’s already run the ball well this season, this is great news. If Kansas City can dominate on the ground—running behind arguably the best interior offensive line in the league in Trey Smith, Creed Humphrey, and Joe Thuney—it’ll open up the offense in a big way. Increased success on the ground would no doubt create more opportunities for playmakers like Travis Kelce, Xavier Worthy, DeAndre Hopkins, and JuJu Smith-Schuster.
The Chiefs could also lean more into play-action, with hopes of finding Worthy deep downfield. With a balanced attack, this offense could reach another level.
3. Deandre Hopkins vs. Jaycee Horn.
Another potential fireworks matchup looms in this game, as DeAndre Hopkins, fresh off a quiet 3-reception, 29-yard performance, will likely be looking to leave a bigger mark. Unfortunately for Hopkins and Kansas City, he’ll likely be shadowed by Jaycee Horn, Carolina’s standout cornerback and arguably their best defender.
If Horn is able to limit “Nuk,” the pressure will once again shift to Xavier Worthy to carry the load for the Chiefs' wide receiver corps—a massive responsibility for such a young player. While Worthy has shown flashes of brilliance, relying too heavily on him might stretch the offense thin.
However, if Hopkins can get the better of Horn and create separation, the Chiefs should be in prime position to light up the scoreboard. A strong showing from Hopkins would not only open up opportunities for Worthy, Kelce, and others but also force Carolina’s defense to adjust, playing right into Kansas City’s hands.
X-Factors
X-Factor 1: Isiah Pacheco
Isiah Pacheco’s return is a huge deal for Kansas City. His explosive, violent running style is exactly the kind of challenge that a team like Carolina, who’s been out of the playoff picture for a while, doesn’t want to face at this point in the season. With nothing left to play for, defenders on a struggling team like the Panthers will likely be more susceptible to getting worn down by Pacheco’s physicality. His return brings a dynamic to the Chiefs' offense that could be overwhelming for Carolina, especially as the tandem of Pacheco and Kareem Hunt becomes a force that makes life difficult for any defense.
X-Factor 2: Panthers O-line
While much of the focus for Kansas City’s defense heading into this matchup will be on Bryce Young and the potential for pressure, we can’t overlook the Panthers' offensive line. Despite Carolina’s quarterback struggles, the O-line has actually been a bright spot this season, providing decent protection and allowing the Panthers to establish some offensive flow at times.
For the Chiefs, this presents a key challenge. Their defense, while stout overall, has struggled to generate consistent pressure when rushing with just four or five defenders. Against a solid O-line like Carolina’s, the Chiefs’ front seven will need to be aggressive and creative in their approach to getting to Bryce Young. If they can’t disrupt his rhythm early and let him sit comfortably in the pocket, it could be a long afternoon for Kansas City.
The last thing the Chiefs need is for Young to gain confidence and for the Bank of America Stadium crowd to get involved. If Carolina puts together a few successful drives early, the atmosphere could shift, and things could quickly become more difficult for the Chiefs. The pressure is on Kansas City’s defense to make sure that doesn’t happen and to force Young into uncomfortable situations, as they cannot afford to let the Panthers find a rhythm on offense.
If the Chiefs’ defensive line can’t break through, this game could become closer than expected. It’s critical for Chris Jones, George Karlaftis, and the rest of the front seven to bring the heat early and often to quiet the home crowd and keep Carolina’s offense from gaining any momentum.
Prediction
Well, folks, my undefeated Chiefs prediction streak has come to an end, but that doesn’t mean I’m abandoning my winning ways entirely. Against the Panthers, this should be an absolute mismatch—like a high school football team trying to play against the Kansas City Chiefs, except the high school team is the Panthers and the Chiefs have Patrick Mahomes. Kansas City is just head and shoulders above Carolina in every single way, from the talent on the roster to the coaching staff, to, let’s be honest, just about everything. The Panthers might as well be a pop-up team for a flag football league.
But hey, don’t worry, I’m not going to get too cocky. As much as I’d love to say this is going to be a 40-point blowout, I’ll keep it reasonable. The Chiefs will still win by just one score. Yup, a nice, comfortable 24-17 win that somehow feels close enough to make me sweat a little, just for the dramatic effect. But make no mistake—this game is a coronation for a far superior team. We just like to keep it interesting.
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