The Kansas City Chiefs are 9-1, and the Carolina Panthers are struggling, 3-7 on the year, in what is a mismatch on paper.
Many expect Patrick Mahomes to run up the score as he seeks retribution for last week’s loss to the Buffalo Bills, while Steve Spagnuolo’s defense is thought to make life incredibly difficult for an already struggling Panthers offense.
But there is one avenue that Carolina can go down that will give it the best chance at causing what would be a monster upset…and it starts with running back Chuba Hubbard.
For ESPN’s Adam Teicher, the key to the Panthers getting back-to-back wins is to get Hubbard rolling.
“The Chiefs have played excellent run defense all season and are third in yards allowed per carry (3.6) and per game (85.3),” Teicher wrote. “But they get a difficult test against the Panthers’ Chuba Hubbard, who has three 100-yard games and a healthy 5.1 yard-per carry average this season. Can the Panthers shorten the game by successfully running on the Chiefs?”
The problem with that is the Chiefs’ defense has been one of the best in football all season, particularly against the run, allowing, on average, just 85.3 yards per game.
Additionally, the Chiefs have only allowed 100+ rush yards in a game three times, so it could be tough sledding.
In Hubbard, the Panthers have a back that is coming off a 153-yard, one-touchdown game against the New York Giants, so the Chiefs will have to curtail his influence.
They’ve done it all season; now, to get back on the winner’s list, Spagnuolo’s defense must contain Hubbard or risk potentially losing their second-straight game.
