Chiefs Locker Room Reportedly Shaken by Close Panthers Win

Most NFL fans expected the Kansas City Chiefs to defeat the Carolina Panthers in Week 12, however, few people expected the close-fought affair that went down in Raleigh, NC. The defending Super Bowl Champions barely escaped with the win, picking up a 30-27 victory that came off Spencer Shrader's 31-yard field goal as time expired.

While it's great to see the Chiefs notch their 10th victory of the campaign, it isn't surprising to learn that Andy Reid's players and staff aren't thrilled about how close the outcome was.

Chiefs News: Players Shaken Up by Close Win vs. Panthers

The Athletic's Nate Taylor reported that several Chiefs players and coaches weren't happy in the locker room following the Week 12 victory.

"Rookie receiver Xavier Worthy left the visitors' locker room at Bank of America Stadium stone-faced," Taylor wrote. "Joe Bleymaier, the Chiefs’ pass game coordinator, shook his head in frustration when he made eye contact with reporters."

"Unlike most days after a game, quarterback Patrick Mahomes didn’t chat with many teammates in the locker room. Right tackle Jawaan Taylor sat in front of his locker longer than usual, his facial expression projecting his annoyance."

Whether it's the players or coaches, you can't blame them for being upset by how close Sunday's encounter was.

The Chiefs have cemented themselves as Super Bowl contenders throughout the season as they attempt to become the NFL's first three-peat franchise. There's no reason why they should've barely defeated the Panthers, who entered the weekend with a 3-7 record and have won more than five games in a season just once since 2019.

While blowouts are never guaranteed, Kansas City should've easily marched into Bank of America Stadium and stomped Carolina — especially after falling to the Buffalo Bills in Week 11. It certainly looked like it was heading in that direction when the Chiefs led 20-9 at halftime only to be outscored 18-10 in the final two quarters.

Even though Chiefs fans could've done without the second-half drama, Mahomes views the close call as a learning experience for himself and his teammates.

"I've always said it can be a good thing as you get to the playoffs, just knowing that you’ve been in those moments before and how to attack it play by play," Mahomes told reporters. "I would say this more than anybody: I would love to win a game not by the very last play."

Safety Justin Reid agreed with the Chiefs quarterback, adding that sometimes games like those are needed to help with a Super Bowl run.

"We all know what our plans are. We know the goal is a three-peat," Reid said. "But before we can get to a three-peat, we have to handle this week."

With this week being Thanksgiving, it won't be long before Andy Reid & Co. get to show what they've learned from the close-fought win vs. the Panthers. The Chiefs will be back in action at Arrowhead Stadium this Friday when they host the rival Las Vegas Raiders at 3 p.m. ET.

The AFC West rivals previously clashed in Week 8, resulting in a Chiefs' win 27-20 at Allegiant Stadium.

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