Panthers, Chiefs Receive Bye-Week Evaluations

The Carolina Panthers and Kansas City Chiefs are returning to action after their Week 5 byes. Carolina's offense has been much improved behind Bryce Young, but the run defense and cornerback injuries remain concerns. Kansas City is 4-0 and has relied on a top-five rushing attack after a 6-11 season in 2025.

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Carolina sits at 2-2 after four games. Bryce Young topped the league in passing yards through that stretch, and the Panthers scored 121 points with 13 offensive touchdowns. A year earlier, their 1-3 start produced only 75 points and eight offensive scores. Run defense remains a worry, with only Dallas allowing more rushing yards per game, while cornerbacks Jaycee Horn and Mike Jackson are on injured reserve. Devin Lloyd has helped.

Kansas City is 4-0 after a 6-11 season in which it lost six straight to finish. The Chiefs have leaned on the NFL's fourth-ranked rushing attack. Kenneth Walker III, signed from Seattle, ranks second with 537 rushing yards, behind Bijan Robinson's 580, despite playing one fewer game. Patrick Mahomes has completed 64.1% of passes for nine touchdowns and two interceptions. The defense has been inconsistent, but Kansas City is 2-0 in division play.

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