CHIEFS (6-2) VS. PANTHERS (3-5)
SUNDAY, 1 P.M. ET, BANK OF AMERICA STADIUM, CHARLOTTE uTV: CBS, DIRECTV 705
Announcers: Ian Eagle, Dan Fouts, Evan Washburn
About the Chiefs: A lot of things didn’t go well for the Chiefs in their 19-14 win against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday, especially with several players on the sideline. But the result was a victory, which moved them ahead of the 6-3 Broncos in the division and a halfgame behind the 7-2 Raiders. Said QB
who started in place of “It was not always the prettiest thing, but we won. The game of football is different every week. Sometimes you light it up. Sometimes you are out there scrapping to make plays. It feels good to win, no matter what.” The Chiefs also were without RB (concussion), and WR tried to play with a groin injury but lasted only three plays. They were outgained 449-231, had just 10 first downs to Jacksonville’s 25 and were 1-for-14 on third-down attempts. Four takeaways and no turnovers were the difference.
About the Panthers: Like Kansas City’s win, Carolina’s 13-10 victory against the Los Angeles Rams wasn’t pretty. But QB
who was sacked five times, said, “The most important thing is just finding ways to win the football game. We’re not going to talk logistics or statistics. It’s not always going to be pretty.” He added, “I’ve never heard of a pretty loss.” After losing four consecutive games, the Panthers have won their last two but still trail the Falcons by three games in the win column in the division. They totaled 244 yards against the Rams and averaged a mere 3.9 yards a play. But they were able to control the ball for 34:12 and had four sacks of Rams QB Case Keenum. DE who had 11⁄ sacks enter- ing the game, had two Sunday. WRs Kelvin Benjamin (76 yards) and TE Greg Olsen (52) each had five receptions, and Olsen scored their only touchdown.
Matchup to watch: Chiefs pass rush vs. Panthers offensive line. Newton has been sacked 21 times in seven games, so Chiefs OLB
and his teammates will try to take advantage of a depleted Carolina offensive line. Sunday, was at center
WHO WILL WIN AND WHY
instead of (shoulder).
With two sacks against the Jaguars, Ford has nine this season. He also had two tackles for loss and three quarterback hits. The Chiefs are expected to activate OLB but he might not be ready to play immediately.
Kansas City has won four consecutive games and 16 of its last 18 in the regular season, including the final 10 last season.
KEYS TO THE GAME
1. Getting sidelined players on the field: This could be key for both teams. Smith is expected to be back for Kansas City, but Maclin could be questionable. Ware hopes to be released from concussion protocol. Panthers LT has been out since Week 4 while in the concussion protocol, but Carolina is hopeful of having Kalil back.
2. Establishing a ground presence: Neither team ran the ball well Sunday. Carolina RB had 42 yards on 15 carries, while the Chiefs’
rushed 13 times for 39 yards. If one team runs the ball better than the other, that could make a difference.
3. Win the turnover battle: This is where the Chiefs excel. Last season, they were second in the NFL with a plus 14 ratio. This year, they are plus 13, tops in the league, with only seven turnovers. Sunday, they had no turnovers and four takeaways. Carolina is near the bottom of the league at minus 6 after being No. 1 last year at plus 20.
Howard Balzer