Sunday, November 8, 2020, Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri, 1 p.m. ET
Panthers at Chiefs Betting Preview: Panthers (+10.5/-105), Chiefs (-10.5/-115)
Carolina Panthers
The Panthers (3-5) are hoping star running back Christian McCaffrey (ankle) will return to action and he look good in Wednesday’s practice, according to Carolina coach Matt Rhule. McCaffrey has missed six straight games and the Panthers have badly missed him no matter how effusive the praise has been for fill-in Mike Davis. The 27-year-old Davis has rushed for 350 yards and two touchdowns and caught 38 passes for 244 yards and two scores this season.
Quarterback Teddy Bridgewater has completed at least 75 percent of his passes in four different games and has been solid with 2,106 yards, nine touchdowns and six interceptions. Bridgewater took a hard hit to his neck during a 25-17 loss to the Atlanta Falcons on Oct. 29 but was a full practice participant on Wednesday and looks good to go per Sunday’s game.
The Panthers have dropped three straight games and a defense allowing 24.1 points per game will be asked to be sturdy against the powerful Chiefs.
Carolina is just 29th in the NFL with eight sacks while cornerback Donte Jackson has nabbed three of the club’s five interceptions. Cornerback Rasul Douglas practiced Wednesday after missing two games while being on the reserve/COVID-19 list and offensive left tackle Russell Okung (calf) is back after missing the Atlanta game.
Kansas City Chiefs
The Chiefs (7-1) are looking for their fourth consecutive victory and have topped 30 points on five occasions while ranking second in the NFL in scoring at 31.6 points per game. Quarterback Patrick Mahomes has been superb and ranks second in the league with 2,315 yards and 21 touchdowns while being intercepted just once in 284 pass attempts. Mahomes had season highs of 416 yards and five touchdowns in last week’s 35-9 rout of the New York Jets and has thrown multiple scoring passes in seven of Kansas City’s eight games.
The Chiefs saw their running game disappear last week. Kansas City compiled just 50 yards on 20 carries, as rookie Clyde Edwards-Helaire accumulated 21 on six carries and recent acquisition Le’Veon Bell having just 7 yards on six attempts.
There is nothing wrong with the passing game and tight ended Travis Kelce had a season-best 109 receiving yards against New York and his season totals sit at 48 catches for 610 yards and six touchdowns. The Kansas City defense has 14 takeaways (nine interceptions, five fumbles) to help the club lead the NFL with a plus-9 turnover ratio.
Defensive tackle Chris Jones (team-best 4.5 sacks) is dealing with calf soreness but is expected to be available. Right tackle Mitchell Schwartz (back) missed practice Wednesday and has missed the past two games.
Panthers at Chiefs Betting Pick for Week 9
Kansas City is rolling toward another deep playoff run and there is little reason to expect a letdown this week. The Chiefs won their past two games by a 78-25 cumulative score and seem intent on posting another convincing victory.
The Panthers are coming off a loss to the lowly Falcons and have averaged 19 points during their three-game slide. McCaffrey’s presence would provide a huge lift but not enough to give Kansas City a legitimate battle.
Panthers at Chiefs Betting Pick:
Chiefs 41, Panthers 20
Panthers at Chiefs Best Bet for Week 9
Mahomes and his teammates are lighting up scoreboards and expect that to happen against this Sunday. Carolina will score enough points to ensure the total will go over.
Panthers at Chiefs Best Bet: OVER 52.5 (-110)
