The Kansas City Chiefs improved to 10-1 with a hard-fought win over the Carolina Panthers on Sunday, but it once again came down to the wire. The Chiefs needed a field goal at the buzzer to secure a 30-27 victory over a Panthers team that they were expected to beat more comfortably. Despite their success, the Chiefs have made a habit of winning nail-biters, and this latest game was no exception.
The victory marked the Chiefs’ eighth win of the season by a touchdown or less, setting an NFL record through the first 11 games of a season.
While the defending champions are still in an excellent position to make history by becoming the first team to win three consecutive Super Bowls, their path to victory this year has been anything but smooth. The season has been a grind for Kansas City, with close games becoming the norm rather than the exception.
After the game, Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes spoke about the challenges of playing in so many close contests. During an interview with ESPN, Mahomes acknowledged the benefits of these tough games but also expressed a desire for a little more comfort on game day.
“You want to have some blowouts. You want to be a little calmer in the fourth quarter,” Mahomes said. “I’ve always said it can be a good thing as you get to the playoffs and later in the season, just knowing that you’ve been in those moments before and knowing how to kind of attack it.” Mahomes went on to make a simple but telling request: “But I would love to win a game [before] the very last play.”
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The sentiment was understandable, as the Chiefs have consistently been pushed to the limit this season. Whether it’s a last-second field goal, a crucial defensive stand, or a late-game touchdown, the Chiefs have had to dig deep to secure their wins.
While the experience of playing under pressure may help them come playoff time, Mahomes and his teammates are surely hoping for a few more comfortable victories as the season progresses.
The Chiefs’ schedule won’t offer much respite, but they’ll look to get a decisive win in Week 13 when they host the Cincinnati Bengals on the NFL’s Black Friday game, with kickoff set for 3 p.m. ET. The matchup will be an opportunity for Kansas City to prove that they can dominate from start to finish and give their fans a more relaxing viewing experience.
Kansas City’s journey to a potential third straight Super Bowl is filled with challenges, and while the close games have kept the season exciting, Mahomes’ comments highlight the team’s desire for some breathing room.
With the postseason fast approaching, the Chiefs will look to fine-tune their performance and find ways to assert themselves earlier in games, allowing them to play with more confidence and control.
For now, the Chiefs remain one of the league’s most formidable teams, and their ability to consistently win close games is a testament to their resilience and talent. But as Mahomes noted, a few blowout victories would be a welcome change of pace—for the players and fans alike.
