Breaking down Chiefs vs. Panthers: Week 12 picks, predictions, and analysis

Well, let's put that undefeated focus in that past and get back to what matters most: Which team hoists the Lombardi Trophy on Feb. 9, 2025, in the Caesars Superdome?

The Kansas City Chiefs felt the sting of a regular season loss for the first time in 11 months, thanks to their regular-season rival Buffalo Bills. The AFC North leaders can have the bragging rights until these two teams meet again, but right now the Chiefs need to pivot quickly to Week 12. The AFC's top dog stays on the road, heading to Charlotte, North Carolina, for a matchup against the NFC South's Carolina Panthers.

Carolina is last in their division with a 3-7 record due to poor management and coaching. Well, the talent on the field doesn't help too much either. The bane of my existence in Arrowhead Addict's dynasty league, quarterback Bryce Young has not been the franchise savior fans hoped for and still has to prove his NFL value in 2024.

Can Kansas City Chiefs bounceback against Carolina Panthers?

The Chiefs travel to Bank of America Stadium, where they are 1-2 all-time. Kansas City and Carolina have not met since the 2020 season, where the Chiefs narrowly beat the Panthers 33-31. But a win is a win, right? That is all the Chiefs should be focused on right now, getting back in the win column after Week 11. Do our writers think the Chiefs will go scorched earth on the Panthers? Or was last week's loss the beginning of a trepidatious slide?

Christian Ainsworth
Absolutely. Chiefs trounce the Panthers in a get right game for Patrick Mahomes. Hopkins/Mahomes connection looks better than ever, Nazeeh takes a step forward, and Hicks shows us he’s the next great KC DB.
Chiefs 34, Panthers 17

Patrick Allen
There is nothing like a "get right game" coming off a tough loss. The Chiefs will get their offensive swagger back against the hapless Panthers. This one won't be close.
Chiefs 31, Panthers 14

Price Carter
Many Chiefs fans expect this game to be tight simply cause the team seems unable to dominate an opponent. However, when you look at the past, the Chiefs are good to blow out a truly awful team. 41-10 against the Bears in 2023, 44-21 against the Cardinals in 2022, 48-9 against the Raiders in 2021. The only success the Panthers have had recently is running the ball which is where the Chiefs' defense excels. Bryce Young still has a long way to go and the skills players don't scare you outside of Chuba Hubbard. For the first time in my life, I'm excited to see Carson Wentz.
Chiefs 31- Panthers 10

Matt Conner
The Chiefs find their get-right game right after their first loss of the season, and at the same time, the team is in get-healthy mode. Carolina has won two in a row and is coming off the bye but any hope is a mirage here. Bryce Young is going to be miserable on Sunday.
Chiefs 33, Panthers 9

Lyle Graversen
This matchup should be about as lopsided as you'll see in the NFL. Because Kansas City tends to play lower-scoring, ugly games, however, it will probably turn out to be one of those contests where it's closer than it should be most of the day, yet you're never really worried about K.C. losing. Carolina's lack of a pass rush should make life easier on Chiefs' tackles and allow for Patrick Mahomes to do enough to get the win.
Chiefs 27, Panthers 13

Felix Johnson
Sometimes Goliath just squishes David.
Chiefs 28, Panthers 13

Braden Holecek
Coming off of their first loss of the season, the Chiefs have some stuff to clean up on both offense and defense. Carolina may be viewed as a weak opponent. However, Kansas City has rarely blown anyone out this season. How does the passing attack look against the Panthers after a haphazard day in Buffalo? Watching how Patrick Mahomes and his top weapons start of the gate will be intriguing.
Chiefs 31, Panthers 12

Jacob Milham
Don't look now, but the Panthers are hot! Winning their last two games by a combined four points, the quality of their opponents is nothing to write home about. But a two-game run is still a winning streak. Running back Chuba Hubbard is coming off a 153-yard performance against the New York Giants, fueling the only offensive bright spot for the Panthers. Kansas City will have to stymie the running game, something they did against the Bills. The Chiefs haven't had an extreme-scoring game this season, which won't change against Carolina. But, this will be a decisive victory.
Chiefs 28, Panthers 7

Shawn O'Brate
After a tough loss that I think many people predicted might be the case, it’s time to get back on track, and there’s no better way to do that than to pick on the little brother of the NFL. I think the defense, after likely having their ears destroyed by Spags all week, will have one of their best days of the season and rack up a few sacks on the sophomore Bryce Young. Throw in an angry Mahomes and a possible return of Pacheco and it could easily (and hopefully) be like the Chicago game from last season.
Chiefs 31, Panthers 14

Charles Robinson
I'd like to think this is going to be an opportunity for the Chiefs to blow off some steam after a loss to the Bills, but with this team this season it will almost inevitably be a closer game than any fan wants to sit through. I may even talk myself into being nervous about this game, with the Panthers coming off a bye and 2 straight wins before that. Could the Chiefs have their annual "what the hell?" game right after a loss to Buffalo? I hope not.
Chiefs 24, Panthers 20

Stacy Smith
One week following a tough loss that narrowed the margin the Kansas City Chiefs have over the AFC field, they're set to face a 3-7 Carolina Panthers team. The Panthers have a legitimate case as perhaps the league's worst football team. Considering how often the Chiefs "play down to opponents", this is likely to be a tougher game than fans will prefer. The Chiefs will have a cleaner game offensively, but it's tough to know if the defense will rebound or if the Panthers can exploit a weak secondary (opposite of Trent McDuffie). Mahomes fares better and has another three-touchdown day. Kareem Hunt does enough in the run game.
Chiefs 24, Panthers 17

Lucas Strozinsky
Ideally, this will be a game where the Chiefs experiment, work on things they've struggled with this season, and ease back in the likes of Isiah Pacheco and/or Charles Omenihu. I don't mind if this game is closer than it should be as long as they're making an effort to throw the ball down the field, which has not been easy for this offense for a variety of reasons.
Chiefs 26, Panthers 13