Arrowhead Pride
Patrick Mahomes, Andy Reid, and Drue Tranquill discussed Sunday’s matchup against an improving Carolina team.
After the season’s first loss to the Buffalo Bills, the Kansas City Chiefs are looking to get back on track with this Sunday’s Week 12 matchup against the Carolina Panthers — a team that started the season 1-7.
But before last week’s bye, the Panthers gained momentum, winning two straight to improve their record to 3-7. With several young Panthers starting to get comfortable under first-year head coach Dave Canales, Kansas City linebacker Drue Tranquill believes Carolina is a team the Chiefs cannot overlook.
“They’ve certainly played better the last two weeks — and I think they’re starting to gel; starting to mesh a little bit,” noted Tranquill. “You’re seeing those young guys get comfortable. They brought some good pieces in on the offensive line in the offseason. It’s a good group personnel-wise — and we’ll have to be on our X’s and O’s.”
The Panthers’ resurgence has been fueled by their ground game, which is led by starting running back Chuba Hubbard. The fourth-year back has been a consistent force, averaging 5.1 yards per carry for 818 rushing yards and six touchdowns this season. In Week 10, Hubbard posted a season-high 153 rushing yards and a touchdown against the New York Giants, earning praise from Chiefs head coach Andy Reid.
“So offensively, they obviously have a good running back and a good quarterback [in Bryce Young],” declared Reid. “He’s playing good football right now. Wide receiver 17 [Xavier Legette] is a heck of a player — and they have a very good offensive line. So they’re moving the football [in] the last couple of games very well.”
Despite these improvements, Carolina still ranks as one of the weaker defenses in the league — specifically against the run, where they’ve allowed the NFL’s second-most rushing yards (1,601). The Giants’ running back Tyrone Tracy gained 103 rushing yards in Week 10 — and the week before, the New Orleans Saints’ running back Alvin Kamara gashed the Panthers’ defense for 215 yards from scrimmage.
A game plan focused on a strong ground attack could be exactly what Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes needs to rebound from last week’s two-interception performance against Buffalo. By leaning on the running game, Kansas City could relieve some of the pressure on its quarterback by setting up more manageable passing opportunities — while also opening up the potential for explosive plays to ignite the offense.
While Mahomes respects the Panthers’ recent improvements, he views this matchup as a prime chance for the Chiefs to regain their rhythm and secure a much-needed bounce-back victory.
“They have a lot of talented players,” Mahomes said of the Panthers’ defense. “I think you’ve seen that these last few weeks. They play hard — and they’re playing better football as the season goes on.
“It will be a great challenge for us, going there to play them. They’re coming off two wins and a bye, so they’re going...
