Don't look now, but the Carolina Panthers have a winning streak on their hands.
Of course, it's only two wins in a row, but given that they are two of the only three wins for the Panthers this season, it's quite notable that head coach Dave Canales and company have found way to inject some life at the season's midpoint. While this year is a lost cause in the grand scheme, there's some important lessons being learned every week for a young team and staff.
That's what makes this week an important one for Carolina. After two close wins, the team went into its bye week with a chance to rest up and get ready to face the Kansas City Chiefs, the team with the best record in the league. Seeing how a young Panthers roster looks against a visiting team like the defending champs will give them a good opportunity to see how they are sizing up position by position.
The early lines are out for Week 12 and the Chiefs are heavily favored, as expected, against the Panthers.
As for the expected results, no one is really thinking the Panthers will run this to a three-game streak against an opponent like Kansas City. And for their part, coming off of a tough, physical game against the Buffalo Bills, it will be interesting to see how the Chiefs respond in terms of energy. Still the talent differential is significant, which is why the Chiefs are early favorites.
The lines at Dimers have Patrick Mahomes and company as 7.5 point favorites over the Panthers to start the week. The straight moneyline has the Chiefs at -355 and the over/under has been set at 45.5 points.
The Chiefs are 5-2 all time against the Panthers and have won the last three meetings. The Chiefs last played the Panthers in 2020 when they escaped a visit from Carolina with a 33-31 victory.