Coming into the game, the Kansas City Chiefs were touted as one of the best teams in the NFL that no one was talking about. QB Alex Smith and HB Spencer Ware both returned for the Chiefs this week, so the Panthers were going to be in for a real battle.
First Quarter
The Chiefs won the toss and chose to defer, so the Panthers began this pivotal game with the ball. It was evident early on that there would be an emphasis on Cam Newton the runner, as he took off on a designed play-action bootleg on third and short. Cam would gain 28 yards and keep the drive alive. The drive would eventually stall and the Panthers would settle for a K Graham Gano field goal, but it was a good start against a great defense.
The Chiefs took over and were able to move the ball, but as soon as the announcers mentioned the lack of interceptions thrown by Alex Smith, S Tre Boston showed some impressive range and picked off a deep pass down the middle. The Panthers would have a three and out, but the bigger news was the injury to P Andy Lee. Apparently Lee tweaked his hamstring in warmups and that first punt re-aggravated the injury. Both teams would trade punts, with the Panthers turning to K Graham Gano to fill in for Lee. Gano performed admirably and the Panthers would end the first quarter with a 3-0 lead.
Second Quarter
Another Chiefs punt started the quarter, and the Panthers offense started looking good. The long drive culminated with a Cam Newton touchdown run from four yards out. The defense got the ball back to the offense by eventually forcing another punt. Cam and Co. took off again and Newton eventually found WR Devin Funchess over the middle for another Panther touchdown.
Kansas City took over possession late in the half and went on a long, successful drive that led to a field goal try just before the half. K Cairo Santos was able to split the uprights and cut the lead. The Chiefs would have to kick the ball off one last time, but the Panthers elected to kneel out the final few seconds of the half and head to the locker room up 17-3.
Third Quarter
The Chiefs opened the second half with the ball and were able to get almost to midfield, but did have to punt the ball away. The Panthers then went on the best and worst drive in recent memory. The “best” part was the fact that it was a 20 play drive that took over ten minutes off the clock. The “worst” part was the back-to-back sacks allowed to push the Panthers out of field goal range. This drive took almost the whole third quarter and they did not even have the chance to attempt to get points. Gano’s punt sailed into the endzone and the Chiefs ended the quarter with the ball. At this point the Panthers led 17-3.
Fourth Quarter
The fourth quarter is when it began to unravel on the Panthers a little bit. The Chiefs took the ball into field goal range and Santos hit another one. The ensuing drive was the big “oh no” moment of the game, as Cam Newton threw a jump ball off his back foot that was intercepted by S Eric Berry. Berry was able to weave through traffic and take the pick to the house. The Chiefs went for two and Alex Smith found TE Travis Kelce for the two-point conversion, cutting the lead to three.
The Panthers ensuing drive stalled shortly after it began and Gano punted again. A good return for the Chiefs set them up for another field goal try, and Santos was able to successfully tie the game with just over four minutes left. The Panthers would move the ball a little, but punt just after the two minute warning. The defense was able to hold and get the offense one last chance. A quick pass to WR Kelvin Benjamin was taken out of his arms by CR Marcus Peters.
Overall
Aside from the pick-six, Cam Newton was fantastic most of the day. He was able to move the ball through the air and on the ground against a very good defense. The Panthers’ D played well, too, as they held Spencer Ware and Travis Kelce relatively in check. Shout out to Graham Gano for being a serviceable emergency punter.
The Panthers were able to battle against a very good team and came up just short. Victory was literally taken right out of their grasp. Next up is a Thursday night game at home against the Saints. A win is pretty much a necessity at this point in the season.