Spreadsheet Warriors: Panthers

The latest newsletter from KCSN Sports Data Scientist, Joseph Hefner

The Chiefs defeated the Panthers on Sunday in their first noon game (arrowhead time) of the year. It was a closer game than it should have been, with the Chiefs needing a walk-off field goal to win the game, 30-27. Nevertheless, a win is still a win, no matter how it looked.

Six more games to go in the regular season. The Chiefs have three more division games, and three more games against AFC teams (the Browns, Texans, and Steelers). That’s not a murderers row of teams, but it certainly is not a cakewalk, either. The Chiefs will need to play well to finish strong this season. With the loss to Buffalo last week, one more loss puts them in second place, unless the Bills drop another game as well.

Let’s get to the numbers for this game.

Both teams had 8 drives in this game. On the first drive of the game, Samaje Perine took the opening kickoff all the way across midfield to the Panthers 41 yard line. Three plays later, Mahomes hit Noah Gray wide open deep for a 35 yard touchdown. The Chiefs scored two field goals and then two touchdowns on their next five drives. The offense was very good this week. 3.8 points per drive is a ridiculously high number.