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Chiefs at Panthers: Preview, Predictions, and More

By Cody Williams

Oct 30, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith (11) makes hand signals at the line of scrimmage during a game against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 30, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith (11) makes hand signals at the line of scrimmage during a game against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports /
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Kansas City Chiefs vs. Carolina Panthers

After starting the 2016 NFL season at 1-5, the Carolina Panthers have won two-straight games and are now thinking about turning it all around. Their energy renewed, the task is simply to keep winning. That task will be a difficult one in NFL Week 10, however. Traveling to Charlotte and Bank of America Stadium will be a red-hot Kansas City Chiefs team.

Must Read: 2017 NFL Mock Draft: Panthers Grab Running Back?

Alex Smith returns under center for the Chiefs against Carolina after missing last week with a concussion. That will certainly give the offense a bit of a spark (at least more so than Nick Foles). Justin Houston won’t play, unfortunately, but Dee Ford and that KC defense have been dominant all season long.

For the Panthers, Cam Newton remains the heart of the offense. However, his line has to do a better job of keeping the pocket clean so that the reigning MVP can go to work. Moreover, Luke Kuechly and the Carolina defense need to tighten up and make plays on the defensive end. Their effort this season has been quite poor. But Ron Rivera has a way of turning things around.

Here are the keys to victory for this Week 10 matchup.

Keys to Victory

The home team in the Panthers is going to need a big game all-around from Luke Kuechly on Sunday. We know the Chiefs like to use their passing game in the middle of the field and underneath. Kuechly is more than capable of making plays in that area of the field and shutting opponents down. He’ll need to be on-point in limiting the likes of Travis Kelce and the Kansas City passing game for Carolina to have a chance.

As for the visiting Chiefs, the key is going to be not giving Cam any time to throw the football. Even without Houston, KC has been able to generate pressure with regularity. They don’t need to buck that trend today. Though Newton is mobile, they can disrupt his flow, and thus the offenses flow, by making him hurry and make quick decisions sooner than he’d like.

Odds

Point Spread: Carolina -3
Moneyline: Carolina -170, Kansas City +150
Over/Under: 44.5

Next: NFL TV Schedule, Broadcast Map: Week 10

Prediction

By all accounts, the Chiefs have been the superior team this season. Yet, this looks like a new Panthers team these days. I think Cam Newton comes out as SuperCam and leads his team to a big victory at home with a monster performance.

Pick: Kansas City Chiefs: 24, Carolina Panthers: 28

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