In that respect, Canales saw the fight and finish he wants from his team.
“Love the way we finished; love the way the defense gave us the ball back twice there. We had that three-and-out the second to last drive and then we were able to make something happen on the last drive there to go down and tie it up,” Canales said.
But it wasn’t enough, which is why he quickly added, “But we’ve got to finish. We have to, that’s got to be the standard for what we do.”
The Chiefs have been in these games for the past few years, leading to four Super Bowl appearances in the past five years, winning three rings. Giving the two-time league MVP the ball back with 1:46 left on the clock is always a little risky, and on Sunday, Mahomes proved he knows how to finish a game with style.
It’s why there were no moral victory vibes for the Panthers walking off the field.
Asked how it felt, Jaycee Horn responded perfunctorily: “Ass.”
There were moments in the game as well, that could have led to an easier finish for the Panthers. Carolina’s defense gave up 391 total yards and the Chiefs went 8-13 on third down. Kansas City scored on their first five consecutive drives, with three touchdowns and two field goals.
“Defensively third down, they just were able to continue moving the sticks and giving Pat Mahomes and that group more opportunities,” Canales said. “Obviously, that makes it really challenging. So, just got to tighten some stuff up there.”
Added Horn, “I just feel like we let them off the hook a couple of those third downs, but it is what it is.”