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The Kansas City Chiefs love living dangerously -- even if their superstar quarterback Patrick Mahomes would prefer a drama-free blowout every once in a while.
The Chiefs brushed back a strong challenge from the Panthers and left Carolina with a 30-27 win in the bag. Kansas City improved to 10-1 in 2024 after new kicker Spencer Shrader drilled a 31-yard field goal as time expired in the fourth quarter. The win, though narrow, solidified the Chiefs' position atop the AFC standings and offered further insight into how the two-time defending Super Bowl champions keep finding a way in tight games.
Travis Kelce es the baton to Noah Gray
Tight end Noah Gray was key to Kansas City's win in Charlotte on Sunday. After a breakout performance in a loss to the Buffalo Bills the previous week, Gray hauled in two more touchdowns from Mahomes in Week 12 -- bringing his total in just the past two weeks to four touchdowns.
"This is a great group of guys and I am fortunate enough to practice with them all week," Gray told reporters following Sunday's game. "The preparation that goes into it, from the coaches all the way down to the players, just super fortunate to play alongside those guys."
Gray's mentality has not only helped him individually compete with franchise and NFL legend Travis Kelce -- it has permeated throughout the champs' locker room. Even a new arrival like Shrader, who has stepped in for the injured Harrison Butker, has already earned the team's trust. That type of unshakable faith is as big a reason as any why the Chiefs are unlike almost any other 10-1 team in the NFL's long history.
"We trust every single one of those guys in that locker room. We always have a lot of confidence in each other, and fortunately (Shrader) made a phenomenal kick down the stretch," Gray said. "You know, he's only been here for a week and a half. But shout out to Spence, man; I mean, that guy just came to work and just kept his head down. He's a humble dude, and he made a great kick to get the win for us."