5 things to watch as Chiefs play the Panthers in Week 12

Off the primary lack of the 2024 NFL season, the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs (9-1) are again on the street to play the Carolina Panthers (3-7). The Week 12 matchup will happen at Financial institution of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina, on Sunday. Kickoff is ready for Midday Arrowhead time.

Whereas the Chiefs look to bounce again, the Panthers want to keep the momentum introduced into the bye final week. Carolina has received two straight video games, two of three, since putting in quarterback Bryce Younger — the primary decide within the 2023 NFL Draft — again into the lineup.

First-year head coach Dave Canales will search for a press release win, constructing off performances which have impressed Chiefs’ head coach Andy Reid.

“I believe he’s doing a heck of a job down there,” Reid mentioned of Canales throughout Wednesday’s press convention. “It seems like the blokes imagine in what he’s saying; they’re taking part in arduous.”

Listed below are 5 issues to look at on this interconference recreation:

1. The Chiefs avoiding giveaways

With two throws picked off in Week 11, Chiefs’ quarterback Patrick Mahomes is tied for the league lead in interceptions (11). One on the opening drive in opposition to the Buffalo Payments put the Chiefs in a unfavorable recreation script rapidly.

Panthers’ defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero will look to coerce comparable errors from Mahomes and has expertise doing so. Evero headed the Denver Broncos’ protection in 2022; he compelled three interceptions of Mahomes throughout a 34-28 Chiefs’ victory in Denver. Mahomes threw a further decide within the second matchup at dwelling.

“[He’s] very good, very clever and he sort of will get his guys in the correct place,” Mahomes described of Evero throughout Wednesday’s press convention after acknowledging his success with Denver.

Evero introduced in linebacker Josey Jewell from that Broncos’ group in 2022; he nabbed two of the interceptions thrown that first recreation.

“Their linebackers fly round, we all know one among them from Denver: Jewell,” Reid famous on Wednesday. “He is aware of that protection and he’s the one sort of heading issues up there.”

The Panthers’ protection compelled three turnovers in its final win, a 20-17 extra time win over the New York Giants. The Chiefs can keep away from these with a longtime run recreation.

2. Leaning on the dashing assault

The loss in Buffalo didn’t characteristic the run recreation sufficient, and that can not be the case in opposition to Carolina. The Panthers permit probably the most dashing yards per recreation within the NFL (160); solely the Dallas Cowboys have allowed extra dashing touchdowns this season.

Working again Kareem Hunt ought to be in line to get again over 20 carries after dipping to a season-low 14 makes an attempt final week. It stays to be seen if beginning working again Isiah Pacheco will return from injured reserve this week; he has been a restricted participant in follow.

Both method, the Chiefs’ offense ought to get again to an environment friendly dashing efficiency. The Panthers stuff runs for no acquire or a loss on the second-lowest fee (11%) within the NFL.

3. Extra impression from Chiefs’ move rush

The Chiefs’ protection is tied for the fourth-fewest sacks within the NFL this season (19) — regardless of rating fourth in quarterback-pressure fee (27%). The move rush is just not getting dwelling sufficient, and defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo has cranked up the blitzing consequently.

The Panthers’ offense received’t make it any simpler. The unit owns the sixth-lowest sack fee within the league; Younger has been sacked simply twice during the last two video games, taking part in in rhythm with the scheme.

Spagnuolo famous the progress made by the youthful Carolina offense on Thursday.

“They could be a scary bunch when you could have a bunch of younger guys that acquired a whole lot of confidence,” Spagnuolo warned in his press convention. “We’re in tune to it. Our eyes are open. No person is overlooking this specific unit we’re going in opposition to… I believe this quarterback feels actually good about what he’s doing, I believe they’re doing good issues with him.”

This yr, Carolina quarterbacks have the fourth-fastest common time from snap to throw within the league. It can take fast pass-rush wins to disrupt the offense, however the entrance will need assistance from the again finish.

4. The Chiefs swarming in protection

The Panthers’ offense has not had a prolific move assault throughout this two-game win streak. Younger has averaged lower than 150 yards passing between the video games, with no extensive receiver incomes greater than 45 yards in both win.

It’s a chance for the protection to make a big effect. The gamers ought to be assured of their particular person matchups, and Spagnuolo ought to have the ability to make life arduous on an inexperienced offense with distinctive seems and disguised intentions.

Count on the Chiefs to play aggressive zone protection that makes Younger uneasy in his progressions, giving the move rush time to complete. Younger has had success avoiding sacks since returning because the starter: over 37 pressured dropbacks, he has been sacked simply 4 instances.

When the protection does man up, the important thing matchup can be tight finish Ja’Tavion Sanders. His 87 receiving yards three weeks in the past had been probably the most receiving yards this yr by a present Panthers participant.

5. Continued dominance from Chiefs’ run protection

All of the factors on the move protection begin with sturdy efforts on run downs, one of many issues the Chiefs nonetheless had success with in Buffalo. Payments’ working backs mixed for 49 yards over 19 makes an attempt, a mean of two.6 yards per rush.

It maintained the Chiefs’ number-one rating this season in dashing yards allowed per first-down run (3.2). That can be key with Panthers’ rookie working again Jonathan Brooks set to make his NFL debut in opposition to Kansas Metropolis. The forty sixth general decide on this yr’s draft is recovered from tearing his ACL final November taking part in for the College of Texas.

Up till that damage, Brooks was averaging 130 yards from scrimmage and a landing per recreation in 2023.