Shrader’s kick secured a victory that looked assured when Kansas City took a two-score lead late in the third quarter. The Chiefs tallied points on each of their first five possessions on Sunday, and while the Panthers narrowed the deficit on numerous occasions, Kansas City consistently provided an answer that kept the lead intact.
Tight end Noah Gray was responsible for each of the Chiefs’ first two touchdowns – both of which took place on third down – before wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins hauled in Mahomes’ third touchdown pass of the day in the closing minutes of the third quarter.
To Carolina’s credit, however, the Panthers refused to go away. Carolina rattled off 11 unanswered points to begin the fourth quarter, culminating in a 1-yard touchdown plunge – and subsequent, game-tying two-point conversion – by tailback Chuba Hubbard.
Hubbard’s efforts meant that Kansas City didn’t possess the lead for the first time since early in the first quarter, but as they’ve done so many times over the last several years, the Chiefs didn’t blink.
Mahomes found Hopkins to move the chains on third down early in the possession, and just one snap later, Mahomes broke free for a 33-yard scramble down the sideline that moved Kansas City into field goal range.
“It’s not like I pre-plan that stuff,” said Mahomes when asked about his scramble, which matched the longest of his career. “It’s just whenever it comes down to it, and you have to make a play, I feel like I try to go out there and make the play.”