This week the Chiefs became the first team statistically eliminated from playoff contention, though that was merely a formality as the Chiefs were the owners of the worst record in the NFL after falling to Denver last weekend in a tough game. The 1-10 Chiefs are now on the fast track for the first pick in the 2013 NFL Draft, but there are still ways for them to fall out of that position. The next three games for Kansas City will be crucial as they will face off against three struggling teams, the 3-8 Panthers, the 3-8 Browns, and the 3-8 Raiders.
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| (Image from www.BleacherReport.com) |
The Panthers have certainly had a tough season, but things look to be improving after an impressive outburst of offense against the Philadelphia eagles last week on prime-time television. Cam Newton (pictured above), the winner of last year's "Rookie of the Year" award, was a standout, scoring four touchdowns (two passing, two rushing) and throwing for over three-hundred yards while rushing for over fifty. As long as Cam Newton doesn't return to the "sophomore slump" he suffered earlier in the season, the Panthers should expect to win. However, there is always an unknown element that comes with young teams and young quarterbacks.
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| (Image from www.BleacherReport.com) |
If the Chiefs lose to the Panthers, they will all but secure the first pick in the draft, considering that they will only have one or two more winnable games the rest of the year, and both will be on the road. The Chiefs wont need to worry about winning the last two games of the season though, because they will play the playoff bound Indianapolis Colts in Arrowhead Stadium, and finish on the road against Denver. Both of those games should be a lock in the "L" column as the Chiefs will be facing elite quarterbacks in Andrew Luck (shown above) and Peyton Manning.
However, if the Chiefs beat the Panthers, the Browns game will become a much more meaningful game, considering that with a win, the Chiefs would have the same record as Cleveland with the tiebreaker. Then the next week the Chiefs would be playing another three win team, and the Chiefs could effectively end up with a 4-12 season, which would be a worst case scenario considering that the Chiefs could drop all the way down to ninth pick in the draft.
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| (Image from www.BleacherReport.com) |
It all starts with the game against Carolina though, because if the Chiefs drop that game then they can start to be sure that a top two pick will be in their future. In order for the Chiefs to win they will have to limit the play-makers for Carolina, Cam Newton and Steve Smith (shown above). The Panthers are a team that match up well with the Chiefs though, as they are skilled at stopping the run, with a defensive front led by a couple of talented players.
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| (Image from www.BleacherReport.com) | |
Linebacker Luke Kuechly (pictured above), who was one pick away from being drafted by Kansas City in 2012, has already racked up an astounding one-hundred five tackles on the year, and he has added one interception. On the defensive line, Charles Johnson has certainly been effective at rushing the quarterback, with eight and a half sacks to go along with six forced fumbles so far. The Panthers are no slouch in the secondary either, as they are led by two skilled cornerbacks: Captain Munnerlyn and Josh Norman. Munnerlyn has returned two interceptions for touchdowns this year, and Josh Norman has recorded sixty-eight tackles and one interception thus far.
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| (Image from www.TheRepublic.com) |
On paper the Chiefs don't stand a chance against the Panthers, but like the Chiefs, the Panthers have underperformed in 2012, but after a big win over Philadelphia one would have to imagine that the Panthers are back on track. The Chiefs will be playing their second to last home game of the season as they take on Carolina this Sunday at Arrowhead Stadium, and it should be an interesting contest. Game time is at 12:00 noon for all those interested in attending, as there will be plenty of open seats.
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