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Chiefs vs. Panthers: Score, Recap & Highlights

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Andy Reid Chiefs

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Final Score: Panthers 28, Chiefs 16

The Kansas City Chiefs lit up the scoreboard in Week 1 of the preseason, scoring more points than any team in the league in a win over the Cincinnati Bengals.

Week 2 wasn’t so spectacular.

Alex Smith was solid and rookie Aron Murray threw a touchdown on his first career NFL pass. But Cam Newton led two scoring drives in his return from ankle surgery, backup Derek Anderson led two more, on the Panthers edged Kansas City 28-16 Sunday night in Charlotte.

Here’s how it went down:

Derek Anderson Hit Brenton Bersin to Give the Panthers the Lead

Carolina answered quickly after Murray’s touchdown pass. Derek Anderson hit Brenton Bersin for a 16-yard touchdown strike with 3:58 left in the third quarter, giving Carolina the lead back at 21-16.

The Panthers then made sure Murray’s second series didn’t go as smoothly as his first. AJ Klein picked Murray off, and the Panthers promptly scored on their ensuing possession on a 1-yard Fozzy Whitaker run that stretched the lead to 28-16 with 18 seconds left in the quarter.

Aaron Murray Entered the Game & Immediately Threw a Touchdown Pass

Aaron Murray, a rookie from Georgia whose brother Josh won the Bachelorette this summer, entered the game to start Kansas City’s second drive of the third quarter and promptly hit Travis Kelce for a 43-yard touchdown on the first pass of his NFL career.

The final line on Chase Daniel, who played only one series: 3-for-4 passing for 35 yards, no touchdowns and no interceptions.

Chase Daniel Replaced Alex Smith to Start the 3rd Quarter

Chase Daniel replaced Alex Smith at quarterback for the Chiefs to start the third quarter and had good results right away: An 11-play, 73-yard drive that culminated in a 25-yard field goal by SUccop with 9:39 left in the quarter to bring Kansas City within 14-9.

Smith finished 14-for-22 passing for 127 yards (5.8 yards per attempt), no touchdowns and no interceptions.

Jonathan Stewart Scored His 2nd Touchdown

The Panthers offense is clicking. Newton led Carolina on a 6-play, 50-yard drive and Stewart ran up the middle untouched from 3 yards out with 7:10 left in the half. Graham Gano’s extra point made it 14 unanswered points and a 14-6 lead for the home team.

Newton was replaced by Derek Anderson on Carolina’s next series. His final numbers: 4-for-9 passing for 65 yards (7.2 yards per attempt), no touchdowns and no interceptions.

Luke Kuechly Sacked Alex Smith, Forcing KC to Punt

Suddenly, it’s Smith who’s under pressure and Newtown who’s moving the ball. Luke Kuechly sacked Smith for a 9 yard loss on 3rd-and-9, forcing Kansas City to punt with 9:19 left in the first half.

Jonathan Stewart Scored to put the Panthers on Top

After going their first three series without a first down, Carolina’s offense turned it on on Drive No. 4, marching 66 yards on just four plays and taking the lead on a 2-yard Jonathan Stewart touchdown with 12:37 left in the first half.

A 38-yard pass from Newton to Eric Dickerson and a 32-yard pass interference penalty helped set up the touchdown.

The Chiefs Were in Business but Had a Call Reversed

Alex Smith hit Anthony Fasano for a 16-yard gain that would have given the Chiefs a 1st-and-goal at the Carolina 4. But the Panthers challenged the call, and the officials later reversed it, ruling that Fasano didn’t have control of the ball and ruling the pass incomplete.

Kansas City couldn’t convert on third down and had to settle for a 44-yard field goal by Cairo Santos, who’s competing with Succop for the job.

The Chiefs Sacked Cam Newton to Force Another Punt

The Chiefs blitzed on 3rd-and-7 and it paid off: Safety Hussain Abdullah sacked Newtown, forcing Carolina to punt for the third time in three series.

The Chiefs Were Forced to Punt on Their 2nd Drive

Kansas City moved 29 yards on 6 plays on their second drive, but Alex Smith’s pass to Junior Hemingway was incomplete on 3rd-and-4 from the Carolina 44, forcing Andy Reid to call in Dustin Colquiett to putn. Colquitt’s punt went 25 yards, giving Carolina the ball on its own 19 to start its third drive.

Carolina made some changes to its offensive line on its third drive.

The Chiefs Defense Forced Another 3-and-Out

Two possessions, two three-and-outs for the Panthers offense, and the Chiefs got off the field the same way: With Cam Newtown throwing an incomplete pass to Jerico Cotchery on 3rd down.

Ryan Succop Booted a 54-Yard Field Goal to Put KC on Top

Alex Smith led the Chiefs to three first downs on their opening drive. The drive stalled out shortly after Kansas City entered Carolina territory, but Ryan Succop kicked a 54-yard field goal to give the visitors a 3-0 lead with 9:20 left in the first quarter.

Kansas City’s drive went 8 plays for 44 yards and lasted 4:07.

Some key stats:

Alex Smith: 4-for-5 passing for 42 yards (8.4 yards per attempt)
Anthony Fassano: 1 catch for 16 yards
Dwayne Bowe: 1 catch for 10 yards

The Panthers Went 3-and-Out on Their First Series

Newtown’s pass to Jerico Cotchery on 3rd-and-4 was incomplete, forcing Carolina to punt on its first possession.

The Chiefs Won the Toss and Deferred

Kanas City won the toss and deferred, giving Cam Newtown and Co. the ball to start the game.

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bendoody is Heavy's Managing Editor. Prior to joining Heavy in 2014, he was a sports reporter and editor at The Trentonian in Trenton, New Jersey; a breaking news editor at the Hearst Connecticut Media Group; and Connecticut Managing Editor for Digital First Media. More about bendoody

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