Carolina Panthers vs Kansas City Chiefs Predictions, Odds & Picks

• Carolina Panthers QB Teddy Bridgewater is lacking targets to compete with the Chiefs
• The 7-1 Kansas City Chiefs’ QB Patrick Mahomes has 21 touchdowns and one pick
• These two teams last met up in 2016, when the Chiefs beat the Panthers, 20-17

Check out the latest NFL predictions for Week 9 Panthers vs Chiefs game!

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Panthers vs Chiefs Predictions and Picks

It is not whether the Chiefs will beat the Panthers, it is about by how much, and with that defense and no Christian McCaffery, covering this widespread actually seems more than likely.

Pick:

Chiefs -10.5 (-110)

How to Watch Panthers vs Chiefs

With just three wins this season, the Carolina Panthers are looking to shock the world and upset these Chiefs, but despite QB Teddy Bridgewater playing decently, the team’s lack of legitimate offensive weapons makes it seem unlikely they can compete with a team as deep on that side of the ball as Kanas City.

The Chiefs have only lost one game and are scoring three points per game more than they were at this time last season, so it’s a wonder that anyone doubts their excellence in 2020 (some actually do?), but they should easily take care of these limited Panthers and move to 8-1 on the season.

The two cross-conference rivals have only met each other 6 other times, with the Kansas City Chiefs winning 4 of those games and the Carolina Panthers winning the other 2.

Can Panthers QB Teddy Bridgewater Win Without McCaffery?

Currently, Carolina quarterback Teddy Bridgewater is having to make do without dual-threat RB Christian McCaffery in his backfield and that has resulted in three losses in a row.

DJ Moore and Robby Anderson are both excellent receivers who are getting even better, with Anderson ranked 3rd most productive in the league right now at his position and Moore ranked 7th in the same category.

But when your offense was designed around one player and that player, McCaffery, can’t suit up, it comes down to figuring out how to game plan for all those next men up, and so far that has not been easy or a given for rookie head coach Marr Rhule.

Can Chiefs Continue to Offensively Dominate?

With quarterback Patrick Mahomes under center, the Kansas City Chiefs offense is ranked fourth most productive in the league right now averaging over 410 yards per game on the side of the ball.

That production has translated to 31.6 points per game which have brought the team a 7-1 record and a firm grasp of the AFC West, currently three games ahead of the next contender, which is the 4-3 Las Vegas Raiders.

The Chiefs rushing attack could use some improvements, ranked 13th in total production right now, but with a rookie like Clyde Edwards-Helaire beginning to heat up, it shouldn’t be long before Kansas City’s run game begins to elevate, as well.

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Panthers Key Player: (RB) Mike Davis

Tough shoes (and gloves) to fill for Panthers running back Mike Davis – it is up to him to fill in for still injured starter Christian McCaffery (ankle) who continues to heal on the sidelines as his 3-5 team sits well below .500.

Davis is doing a decent job at this point, so far on the season with 84 rushes for 350 yards and 2 touchdowns on top of 38 receptions for 244 yards and 2 more touchdowns – not McCaffery production but close enough to make his ongoing absence less painful.

Davis rushed for 5.08 yards per carrying last week in the team’s loss to the Falcons, and that is a good sign that he can force defenses to game plan around him, but until his production is counterbalanced with a more effective passing attack (ranked 19th) the wins may not becoming.

Chiefs Key Player: (WR) Sammy Watkins

Sammy Watkins has been dealing with a hamstring issue since Week 5, and he is currently listed as questionable and a game-time decision, but if he is not at 100% seems unlikely that head coach Andy Reid would take a chance playing him.

In the times he has played in this season, Watkins has posted 21 catches for 222 yards and 2 touchdowns, averaging 10.6 yards per catch with a catching percentage of 72.4.

The Chiefs won’t need Watkins to beat the Panthers, but having him out on the field has been key to their offense since his deep threat capability keeps the double teams coming his way freeing the field for his teammates, but without a healthy hamstring that may not be possible, at least for now.

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