South Charlotte Today

Every week, NFL teams maintain that they approach each game with the same mindset. However, when facing Patrick Mahomes, there is an acknowledgment of his unique talent and achievements as a two-time MVP and three-time Super Bowl champion.

Panthers quarterback Bryce Young expressed his admiration for Mahomes, stating, "I have a ton of respect for him, you know. All the stuff he's been able to accomplish...the greatness he has is something that I'm always watching when I'm watching the film."

The Panthers last faced Mahomes in 2020, suffering a narrow 33-31 loss. Only three players from that game remain on the current roster: safety Sam Franklin Jr., right tackle Taylor Moton, and long snapper JJ Jansen.

Linebacker Josey Jewell, who has faced Mahomes multiple times during his tenure with the Broncos, shared insights into preparing for such a formidable opponent. He emphasized the need for constant vigilance due to Mahomes' ability to make unexpected plays: "With Pat, you've got to be ready for every second of the down."

Outside linebacker D.J. Wonnum echoed similar sentiments about maintaining focus and not being intimidated by Mahomes' reputation. "You can't really think about it," Wonnum said. "You've just got to go play...we've just got to come ready and be locked in."

Despite ranking 11th in scoring and 16th in yards per game this season, the Chiefs remain a challenging team under head coach Andy Reid's leadership. Panthers head coach Dave Canales emphasized consistency in preparation: "Honestly, we just try to keep the focus on us...it's about sticking to our plan."

As teams prepare to face Mahomes and the Chiefs each week, adhering to their strategies becomes crucial.