Biggest takeaways from Panthers' Week 12 loss to Chiefs

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Biggest takeaways from Panthers' Week 12 loss to Chiefs

Jared Feinberg · Panthers Wire

Sun, Nov 24, 2024 ·

4 min read

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The Carolina Panthers ' little hot streak went cold on Sunday following their 30-27 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs . Yet, this was a defeat that many fans could still live with.

This showdown was a competitive one from start to finish, coming down to the final seconds of the game with the defending champions needing walk-off field goal to ultimately take it. Not bad for a three-win squad, huh?

The Panthers showed progress on the offensive side of the ball and proved that they can compete with the best of them down the stretch. They still also have plenty of flaws, but their effort and spirit were never in question.

Here are the biggest takeaways from the outing:

Bryce Young shines

In some ways, today's contest against the Chiefs was a prove-it game for the former No. 1 overall draft choice. Young rose to the occasion numerous times, and did so against a tough defense that sent everything his way.

Young finished having completed 21 of 35 passes for a season-high 263 yards and a touchdown. He was showing answers against pressure and blitzes while throwing some incredibly well-placed passes on all three levels of the field. He was poised, accurate and managed the pocket well.

For the first time in a long time, Young looked like the same quarterback who won the Heisman Trophy a few years ago at the University of Alabama.

Head coach Dave Canales said after the game, seemingly a few weeks later than expected, that Young would "absolutely" start against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers next week.

This is officially Bryce Young's show until further notice, and Panthers fans should be excited for that.

David Moore 's big day

Nov 24, 2024; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Carolina Panthers wide receiver David Moore (83) makes a touchdown catch against Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Trent McDuffie (22) during the second half at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images

"Big" might sound like a little too much for an 80-yard performance. But Moore became the No. 1 receiver for Young when he and the Panthers really needed it.

Moore, who has previous ties to Canales from both Seattle and Tampa Bay , has been a steady depth presence for Carolina this season. With rookie Jalen Coker out due to a quad injury, the veteran stepped up to keep the rotation moving.

His showing against the Chiefs gives Carolina a signal that they have depth they can lean on if one of their core starters like Coker, Xavier Legette or Adam Thielen were to miss a game. While depth is hard to come by for the Panthers in general, this is just the latest instance of the offense digging deep and doing it successfully.

Defense has too many flaws to overcome

One of the biggest stories for the 2024 Panthers has been their league-worst defense. In recent weeks, however, they've begun to make key stops late in games to give their offense a chance.

But that fortune ran out Sunday.

Although it's difficult to criticize any defense playing quarterback Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs, the lack of talent and discipline was evident throughout the afternoon. One of the biggest plays of the game came on the Chiefs' game-winning drive, when Mahomes scrambled away on a 33-yard gain to clinch prime field position for the walk-off field goal.

Offseason-signing and cornerback Dane Jackson became the face of the team's defensive struggles. Not only does he look out of position at nickel, but his play has been below-average with bad pursuit angles, tackling and coverage discipline. It may be time to give Caleb Farley a look at nickel.

On the bright side, guys like linebacker Josey Jewell and pass rushers Jadevon Clowney and D.J. Wonnum were sound against the Chiefs, as the three combined for 3.5 sacks. It's starting to look like the Panthers are finding a pass rush—but their quarterback contain ability, rush defense and run support have not shown enough improvement to warrant optimism for this unit moving forward.

There's hope

CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - NOVEMBER 24: Head coach Dave Canales of the Carolina Panthers takes the field prior to a game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Bank of America Stadium on November 24, 2024 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)

Most losses, especially for the Panthers, sting. But this one doesn't.

The team's three-point defeat to the Chiefs was not only impressive, but has brought on a new sense of hope and excitement for a franchise that has been searching for it all season.

Young may be proving that he's really the long-term answer under center, Canales is calling his best football yet and the offense is thriving behind running back Chuba Hubbard and their bruising line. And while there isn't too much to lean on defensively, Wonnum, Jewell, Jaycee Horn and Trevin Wallace given this unit a slight facelift with their competitive play and overall effort.

One thing that should be appreciated is that Canales has this entire roster playing hard and putting themselves in better positions to have a chance of winning games.

The Panthers should have a chance to win each game from here on out—and it's because of the newfound confidence from not just the quarterback and coach, but from the rest of the team as a whole. Things finally seem to be trending upward for this franchise.