Dave Canales finds hope in the Panthers' close loss to the Chiefs

In the United States, the Carolina Panthers played a closely contested game against the Kansas City Chiefs on November 24, 2024. Despite losing 30-27 on a last-minute field goal, Panthers' first-year head coach Dave Canales felt encouraged by his team's performance. The Panthers, with a season record of 3-8, have shown noticeable improvement after a rough start to the season, during which they lost their first two games by a combined score of 73-13. Quarterback Bryce Young played a pivotal role in the game, showcasing his ability to make significant plays when it mattered most. He completed 21 of 35 passes for 263 yards, with one touchdown and no turnovers, helping the team mount a comeback from an 11-point deficit in the fourth quarter. Canales immediately announced that Young would remain the starting quarterback for the upcoming game against Tampa Bay. Canales also noted the contributions of defensive player D.J. Wonnum, who has bolstered the Panthers' pass rush since returning from injured reserve. However, the team still faces challenges, particularly in their secondary, which struggled to contain Chiefs' quarterback Patrick Mahomes, who threw for three touchdowns. The Panthers are striving for improvement this season, having not made it to the postseason since 2018. The close finish against a formidable opponent like the Chiefs, who are two-time reigning Super Bowl champions, indicates potential for the Panthers as they work to rebuild and establish a competitive team identity. Canales remains optimistic about the developing style of play and the team's overall trajectory moving forward.