CHARLOTTE, N.C.
There comes a point in every team’s season when it’s tested by an opponent of championship caliber. Sometimes this happens earlier in the season; other times, later. For the Chiefs, that moment came on Sunday.
And there’s no question they rose to the occasion.
The defending NFC champion Carolina Panthers entered their game against the Chiefs on Sunday with a 3-5 record that might have been explained, at least somewhat, by a Super Bowl hangover. But they were winners of two straight entering the contest, and after a dominant first half they appeared to be well on their way to their third straight victory.