Chiefs @ Panthers
Final Score: Chiefs 30 – Panthers 27
Writer: Brett Ford (@FadeThatMan)
Another week, another narrow escape for Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs as they outlasted the lowly Carolina Panthers, 30-27 on Sunday afternoon. The Chiefs jumped out to a 20-9 first half lead but the Panthers responded with a touchdown on the opening drive of the second half. After a Chiefs touchdown and a Panthers field goal, Carolina trailed by eight points with under 4:00 to play. Bryce Young led his team down the field for a touchdown drive and two-point conversion to tie the game, but he left 1:46 on the clock – too much time for Mahomes. The Chiefs marched down the field spurred by a long Mahomes run to set up the game-winning field goal as time expired. This was literally the perfect performance for the Panthers – doing enough to be competitive and give their fans reason to watch and hope for the future, but still take the loss and move one step closer to a top pick in next year’s draft. For the Chiefs, it was just another box checked on their way to home field advantage throughout the playoffs. Let’s dig in.
Three Up
- Noah Gray – For the second-consecutive week, Gray found the end zone twice. Eventually, teams are going to have to pay attention to pass-catchers in this offense not named Travis Kelce.
- David Moore – A target hog with Jalen Coker ruled out, Moore led his team with 10 targets and scored the Panthers’ only receiving touchdown.
- Bryce Young – Not a flashy stat line, but really about as good a game as you could have asked for from Young against a tough KC defense.
Two Down
- Travis Kelce – Maybe it’s unfair to label this a down game for Kelce considering he led his team in targets (8) and receptions (6), but he continues failing to reach the elite tier production that managers are looking for from what was likely a third-round draft pick or higher.
- Chiefs Defense – Kansas City just allowed the Panthers to score a SEASON-HIGH 27 points. An unimpressive day for a typically solid unit.
Kansas City Chiefs
Quarterback
Patrick Mahomes: 27/37, 269 Yards, 3 TDs | 5 Carries, 60 Yards
Mahomes was forced into having a very solid fantasy performance as the Panthers kept this game competitive throughout. The perennial MVP candidate threw for three touchdowns, picking apart the back end of the Panthers secondary when it was required. On the final drive of the day, Mahomes reminded us all how athletic he is with a 33-yard scramble to set up the game-winning field goal. He finally seems to be rounding into the form that we’ve all seen the past few seasons, and with the Raiders headed to GEHA Field next week, the peak performance should continue.
Running Back
Kareem Hunt: 14 Attempts, 60 Yards
Kareem Hunt has been a tremendous fill-in for Isaiah Pacheco as he heals from his fractured leg injury, and has taken on bellcow-back services for the Chiefs. What was likely Hunt’s final game as top dog in the backfield turned out mediocre as he did earn 19 touches but managed just 87 yards from scrimmage and could not find the end zone. Disappointing for a back with such a great workload in what appeared on paper to be an amazing matchup.
Samaje Perine: 1 Carry, 13 Yards | 2 Targets, 2 Receptions, 11 Yards
Carson Steele: 1 Attempt, 4 Yards | 2 Targets, 1 Reception, 9 Yards
Samaje Perine and Carson Steele are afterthoughts in this backfield now, and with Pacheco returning likely next week they become even less prominent in the offense. Steele has been used as essentially a fullback, getting only 11 offensive snaps, while Perine has taken on third down duties with 24 offensive snaps this week. In Pacheco’s return, expect to see Perine retain some of his pass-catching back duties while Steele is likely relegated to special teams.
Wide Receiver/Tight End
Xavier Worthy: 6 Targets, 4 Receptions, 46 Yards | 1 Attempt, 5 Yards
Xavier Worthy is tough to gauge because he’s so explosive when he gets the ball, but the Chiefs haven’t really tried to get him the ball in space in the same ways that they used to manufacture touches for speedster Tyreek Hill. He still seems to need refining on his route-running, because if he were to ever create separation, he’s so fast that his yards after catch would skyrocket. For now, we’ll have to hope the Chiefs scheme him some quick hitters in space.
Noah Gray: 4 Targets, 4 Receptions, 66 Yards, 2 TDs
Noah Gray continues to get looks in the red zone, serving as a reliable option in the Chiefs’ 12-personnel. When teams prevent Kelce from getting the ball in the red zone, it has freed up looks for Gray. He’s been extremely efficient with his touches, scoring twice in each of the past two weeks despite just eight catches in the two games combined. Kelce managers are likely seething that Gray continues to vulture touchdowns from his fellow tight end, but Mahomes is going to continue to throw to the open guy – regardless of who it is.
DeAndre Hopkins: 6 Targets, 5 Receptions, 35 Yards, TD
DeAndre Hopkins looks to be a part of a rotation of wide receivers, but he was the most-targeted of the wide receivers on Sunday despite playing just 33 offensive snaps. None of the Chiefs receivers played more than 66% of the offensive snaps, as they rotated through mostly in pairs. Hopkins pulled in a touchdown, connecting with his quarterback after Mahomes scrambled to extend the play. Hopkins found a soft spot and sat in it before pulling in an uncontested catch.
Travis Kelce: 8 Targets, 6 Receptions, 62 Yards
The only Chiefs’ pass-catcher on the field for more than 66% of offensive snaps, Kelce still didn’t reach the levels of production that fantasy managers are looking for. Despite leading the team in targets and catches, Kelce has found the end zone just twice all season while Gray has scored twice in each of the last two games. To say that Kelce managers have been frustrated the past two weeks is one of the biggest understatements of the season.
Carolina Panthers
Quarterback
Bryce Young: 21/35, 263 Yards, TD | 3 Carries, 20 Yards, Fumble (Recovered)
Sunday’s game was one of the best that we’ve seen Young play in his short career, leading his team to a near-upset of one of the best teams in the NFL. Young played nearly mistake-free football, connecting on several good throws while avoiding one of the league’s most fierce pass rushes. The Panthers’ offensive line did an excellent job protecting Young, allowing just two sacks and limiting prolific defensive lineman Chris Jones to just one quarterback hit. Young’s touchdown pass came on a snap-decision throw on a quick slant that he tucked into a tight window for a score. If he continues to play this consistently and take care of the football, the Panthers may have something that they haven’t for a long time – hope.
Running Back
Chuba Hubbard: 16 Carries, 58 Yards, TD | 5 Targets, 1 Reception, 2 Yards
Fantasy managers that did not panic with the return of Jonathan Brooks were rewarded with another solid performance from one of the steals of the year as Hubbard rushed for 58 yards and a score – his seventh rushing touchdown of the season. The Panthers appear happy to continue handing the ball off to their franchise running back (especially after signing him to that massive contract a few weeks ago).
Wide Receiver/Tight End
Xavier Legette: 6 Targets, 4 Receptions, 56 Yards
Jalen Coker: DNP
Adam Thielen: 4 Targets, 3 Receptions, 57 Yards
Old Man Adam Thielen is back for the Panthers and made his presence known with solid routes and a surprising amount of yards after the catch. On his longest reception of the day, Thielen leaked out on a short crosser, evading his defender and accelerated (sort of) up the sideline for a gain of 36 yards. Xavier Legette remained a top pass-catching option for the Panthers even with the return of Thielen to action, taking 58 offensive snaps while Thielen stayed on the field for just 38, mostly in the slot.
Ja’Tavion Sanders: 3 Targets, 3 Receptions, 49 Yards
Tommy Tremble: 2 Targets, 1 Reception, 5 Yards
Ja’Tavion Sanders has clearly overtaken Tommy Tremble on the pass-catching depth chart but suffered a scary injury early in this one, which limited his snap count. Here’s hoping the promising rookie heals up and gets back on the field soon.
David Moore: 4 Targets, 2 Receptions, 18 Yards
In Coker’s absence, Moore stepped into the target hog role in spite of the return of Thielen. Moore earned a team-high 10 targets with six catches, including a quick-slant touchdown in the second half.