North Charlotte Today

The Carolina Panthers came close to a significant victory against the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday, but ultimately fell short with a 30-27 loss. Head coach Dave Canales emphasized the importance of finishing games, a concept he consistently reinforces with his team.

Following the game, Canales expressed admiration for Chiefs' coach Andy Reid and his team's ability to secure wins. "What I admire the most about coach (Andy) Reid, that he's got a group that just finds a way," Canales stated after the match.

The Panthers showed potential by matching up against the reigning champions at Bank of America Stadium. Their defense managed two consecutive stops with sacks on Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes, leading to rare punts from Kansas City. This defensive effort allowed the Panthers to score and tie the game late in the fourth quarter.

Outside linebacker D.J. Wonnum shared insights into their defensive strategy during critical moments: "We came together, we were like, man, we got to bow up. We can't keep letting them drive down our throat."

Despite these efforts, Canales acknowledged that more work is needed for his team to consistently finish strong. "But we've got to finish. We have to; that's got to be the standard for what we do," he remarked.

Kansas City's experience in high-stakes games proved decisive as Mahomes led his team downfield in the final minutes for a winning field goal. The Chiefs have been successful in similar situations over recent years, contributing to their multiple Super Bowl appearances and victories.

Panthers cornerback Jaycee Horn candidly assessed their performance: "I just feel like we let them off the hook a couple of those third downs."

Horn faced challenges during the game with several penalties impacting key plays. Reflecting on these moments, he noted areas for improvement: "I feel like the defense, we tightened up in the second half...but you got to be better throughout."

As time ran out and Mahomes capitalized on an opening in Carolina's defense with a crucial scramble, Wonnum acknowledged areas needing attention: "Rush lane opened up...At the end of the day, we're going out there to make plays and win."

The Panthers aim to learn from this experience as they continue developing their identity centered around finishing games strong. Despite recent successes in previous matches, Sunday's encounter highlighted ongoing challenges as they strive towards consistent performance.

"We just got to figure out how to finish," Wonnum concluded after reflecting on their journey so far this season.