Kansas City Chiefs vs. Carolina Panthers: 2024 Week 12 Recap

Game story

In Week 12 of the 2024 NFL season on 2024-11-24, the Kansas City Chiefs took care of business against the Carolina Panthers, pulling away with a 30–27 final that came down to the wire.

The highest-scoring period was Q4 with 17 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.

P. Mahomes (Kansas City Chiefs) paced the passing game, with +14.51 total EPA, and +7.7% completion percentage over expected.

On the individual side, P. Mahomes (Kansas City Chiefs) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +14.51 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.

The momentum swing (+19.9% win probability) landed in the fourth quarter when Kansas City Chiefs changed the game: (:02) 40-S.Shrader 31 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-41-J.Winchester, Holder-14-M.Araiza.

Line score

Final score and points by quarter.

Stars of the game

Top performers by total expected points added (EPA) across passing, rushing, and receiving.

1. 1 P. Mahomes · Kansas City Chiefs · Passing · +14.51 total EPA · 52 snaps · +0.28 EPA/play
2. 2 B. Young · Carolina Panthers · Passing · +10.17 total EPA · 43 snaps · +0.24 EPA/play
3. 3 N. Gray · Kansas City Chiefs · Receiving · +8.21 total EPA · 4 snaps · +2.05 EPA/play
4. 4 D. Moore · Carolina Panthers · Receiving · +7.76 total EPA · 10 snaps · +0.78 EPA/play
5. 5 A. Thielen · Carolina Panthers · Receiving · +4.73 total EPA · 4 snaps · +1.18 EPA/play
6. 6 C. Hubbard · Carolina Panthers · Rushing · +4.59 total EPA · 17 snaps · +0.27 EPA/play
7. 7 X. Worthy · Kansas City Chiefs · Receiving · +3.21 total EPA · 6 snaps · +0.54 EPA/play
8. 8 D. Hopkins · Kansas City Chiefs · Receiving · +2.51 total EPA · 6 snaps · +0.42 EPA/play

Player of the game

FantasyHQ analytics player-of-the-game pick based on total EPA and signature plays.

Who scored touchdowns and field goals

Every touchdown and field goal with the player named in official play-by-play.

Touchdowns

• Kansas City Chiefs — N. Gray (P. Mahomes pass) (Q1 58:44)
• Kansas City Chiefs — N. Gray (P. Mahomes pass) (Q2 30:50)
• Carolina Panthers — D. Moore (B. Young pass) (Q3 21:30)
• Kansas City Chiefs — D. Hopkins (P. Mahomes pass) (Q3 17:49)
• Carolina Panthers — C. Hubbard (Q4 1:49)

Field goals

• Carolina Panthers — E. Pineiro (Q1 54:28)
• Kansas City Chiefs — S. Shrader (Q1 47:42)
• Carolina Panthers — E. Pineiro (Q2 44:46)
• Kansas City Chiefs — S. Shrader (Q2 37:29)
• Carolina Panthers — E. Pineiro (Q2 30:04)
• Carolina Panthers — E. Pineiro (Q4 12:41)
• Kansas City Chiefs — S. Shrader (Q4 0:02)
• Kansas City Chiefs — unlisted player (Q4 0:00)

How it unfolded, quarter by quarter

A quarter-by-quarter recap built from live scoring plays and play descriptions.

The opening quarter: Kansas City Chiefs won the period 10–3. Kansas City Chiefs found the end zone from the CAR 35 (Q1 58:44) — (13:44) (Shotgun) 15-P.Mahomes pass deep left to 83-N.Gray for 35 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Kansas City Chiefs added 1 points from the CAR 15 (Q1 58:35) — 40-S.Shrader extra point is GOOD, Center-41-J.Winchester, Holder-14-M.Araiza.; Carolina Panthers connected on a field goal from the KC 12 (Q1 54:28) — (9:28) 4-E.Pineiro 30 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-10-J.Hekker.; Kansas City Chiefs connected on a field goal from the CAR 7 (Q1 47:42) — (2:42) 40-S.Shrader 25 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-41-J.Winchester, Holder-14-M.Araiza..

The second quarter: Kansas City Chiefs won the period 10–6. Carolina Panthers connected on a field goal from the KC 13 (Q2 44:46) — (14:46) 4-E.Pineiro 32 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-10-J.Hekker.; Kansas City Chiefs connected on a field goal from the CAR 23 (Q2 37:29) — (7:29) 40-S.Shrader 41 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-41-J.Winchester, Holder-14-M.Araiza.; Kansas City Chiefs found the end zone from the CAR 11 (Q2 30:50) — (:50) (Shotgun) 15-P.Mahomes pass short middle to 83-N.Gray for 11 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Kansas City Chiefs added 1 points from the CAR 15 (Q2 30:44) — 40-S.Shrader extra point is GOOD, Center-41-J.Winchester, Holder-14-M.Araiza. ** Injury Update: CAR-94-A.Robinson has returned to the game.; Carolina Panthers connected on a field goal from the KC 11 (Q2 30:04) — (:04) 4-E.Pineiro 29 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-10-J.Hekker..

The third quarter: The quarter finished even at 7–7. Carolina Panthers found the end zone from the KC 1 (Q3 21:30) — (6:30) (Shotgun) 9-B.Young pass short middle to 83-D.Moore for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Carolina Panthers added 1 points from the KC 12 (Q3 21:26) — 4-E.Pineiro extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-10-J.Hekker.; Kansas City Chiefs found the end zone from the CAR 3 (Q3 17:49) — (2:49) (Shotgun) 15-P.Mahomes pass short right to 8-D.Hopkins for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Kansas City Chiefs added 1 points from the CAR 15 (Q3 17:42) — 40-S.Shrader extra point is GOOD, Center-41-J.Winchester, Holder-14-M.Araiza..

The fourth quarter: Carolina Panthers won the period 11–6. Carolina Panthers connected on a field goal from the KC 15 (Q4 12:41) — (12:41) 4-E.Pineiro 33 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-10-J.Hekker.; Carolina Panthers found the end zone from the KC 1 (Q4 1:49) — (1:49) 70-B.Christensen reported in as eligible. 30-C.Hubbard right tackle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Carolina Panthers registered a safety from the KC 1 (Q4 1:46) — TWO-POINT CONVERSION ATTEMPT. 30-C.Hubbard rushes up the middle. ATTEMPT SUCCEEDS.; Kansas City Chiefs connected on a field goal from the CAR 13 (Q4 0:02) — (:02) 40-S.Shrader 31 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-41-J.Winchester, Holder-14-M.Araiza.; Kansas City Chiefs connected on a field goal (Q4 0:00) — END GAME.

Turning points

Plays that moved win probability the most — the swings that decided the game.

• Kansas City Chiefs (Q4 0:02) — (:02) 40-S.Shrader 31 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-41-J.Winchester, Holder-14-M.Araiza. [WPA +19.9% · EPA +0.16]
• Kansas City Chiefs (Q4 0:48) — (:48) (Shotgun) 15-P.Mahomes scrambles left end pushed ob at CAR 22 for 33 yards (20-J.Fuller). The Replay Official reviewed the runner was out of bounds ruling, and the play was REVERSED. (Shotgun) 1 [WPA +16.4% · EPA +2.33]
• Carolina Panthers (Q4 1:46) — TWO-POINT CONVERSION ATTEMPT. 30-C.Hubbard rushes up the middle. ATTEMPT SUCCEEDS. [WPA +16.3% · EPA +1.05]
• Kansas City Chiefs (Q1 58:44) — (13:44) (Shotgun) 15-P.Mahomes pass deep left to 83-N.Gray for 35 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +10.7% · EPA +4.38]
• Carolina Panthers (Q4 1:55) — (1:55) (Shotgun) 9-B.Young pass incomplete deep right to 19-A.Thielen (27-C.Conner). PENALTY on KC-27-C.Conner, Defensive Pass Interference, 28 yards, enforced at KC 29 - No Play. [WPA +9.4% · EPA +2.83]

Impact plays

Highest expected-points added snaps that flipped field position and scoring chances.

• Carolina Panthers (Q3 21:26) — (Run formation) PENALTY on CAR-82-T.Tremble, False Start, 5 yards, enforced at KC 1 - No Play. [WPA +0.0% · EPA -5.13]
• Kansas City Chiefs (Q1 58:44) — (13:44) (Shotgun) 15-P.Mahomes pass deep left to 83-N.Gray for 35 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +10.7% · EPA +4.38]
• Kansas City Chiefs (Q2 30:50) — (:50) (Shotgun) 15-P.Mahomes pass short middle to 83-N.Gray for 11 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +1.2% · EPA +3.07]
• Carolina Panthers (Q4 1:55) — (1:55) (Shotgun) 9-B.Young pass incomplete deep right to 19-A.Thielen (27-C.Conner). PENALTY on KC-27-C.Conner, Defensive Pass Interference, 28 yards, enforced at KC 29 - No Play. [WPA +9.4% · EPA +2.83]

Quarterback report card

P.Mahomes led all passers in efficiency for Kansas City Chiefs, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.

• P.Mahomes (Kansas City Chiefs) · 52 dropbacks · 51.9% completion · +7.7% CPOE · +0.28 EPA/play · +14.51 total EPA
• B.Young (Carolina Panthers) · 43 dropbacks · 48.8% completion · +3.4% CPOE · +0.24 EPA/play · +10.17 total EPA

Team stats comparison

Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency from FantasyHQ analytics.

By the numbers

Despite the final score, Kansas City Chiefs generated the better offensive EPA per play (+0.24 vs +0.14), suggesting they moved the ball more efficiently.

• Carolina Panthers: 9 drives, +11.22 total EPA, 6 scoring drives
• Kansas City Chiefs: 8 drives, +21.76 total EPA, 6 scoring drives

Key takeaways

What to remember for fantasy research, film review, and follow-up box score digging.

• Kansas City Chiefs leaves with the win and the better postgame narrative for Week-to-week momentum.
• One-score margin — fantasy managers should double-check garbage-time stats before drawing conclusions.
• P. Mahomes (Kansas City Chiefs) is the first name to pull up for highlight reels and prop-retrospective research.
• P. Mahomes (KC) beat expectation through the air — positive CPOE game for stack builds.
• B. Young (CAR) beat expectation through the air — positive CPOE game for stack builds.

Every scoring play

Chronological scoring with field position and full play-by-play context.

1. Kansas City Chiefs TD (+6) — Q1 58:44 · CAR 35 · Score 6-0
   (13:44) (Shotgun) 15-P.Mahomes pass deep left to 83-N.Gray for 35 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
2. Kansas City Chiefs XP (+1) — Q1 58:35 · CAR 15 · Score 7-0
   40-S.Shrader extra point is GOOD, Center-41-J.Winchester, Holder-14-M.Araiza.
3. Carolina Panthers FG (+3) — Q1 54:28 · KC 12 · Score 7-3
   (9:28) 4-E.Pineiro 30 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-10-J.Hekker.
4. Kansas City Chiefs FG (+3) — Q1 47:42 · CAR 7 · Score 10-3
   (2:42) 40-S.Shrader 25 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-41-J.Winchester, Holder-14-M.Araiza.
5. Carolina Panthers FG (+3) — Q2 44:46 · KC 13 · Score 10-6
   (14:46) 4-E.Pineiro 32 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-10-J.Hekker.
6. Kansas City Chiefs FG (+3) — Q2 37:29 · CAR 23 · Score 13-6
   (7:29) 40-S.Shrader 41 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-41-J.Winchester, Holder-14-M.Araiza.
7. Kansas City Chiefs TD (+6) — Q2 30:50 · CAR 11 · Score 19-6
   (:50) (Shotgun) 15-P.Mahomes pass short middle to 83-N.Gray for 11 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
8. Kansas City Chiefs XP (+1) — Q2 30:44 · CAR 15 · Score 20-6
   40-S.Shrader extra point is GOOD, Center-41-J.Winchester, Holder-14-M.Araiza. ** Injury Update: CAR-94-A.Robinson has returned to the game.
9. Carolina Panthers FG (+3) — Q2 30:04 · KC 11 · Score 20-9
   (:04) 4-E.Pineiro 29 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-10-J.Hekker.
10. Carolina Panthers TD (+6) — Q3 21:30 · KC 1 · Score 20-15
    (6:30) (Shotgun) 9-B.Young pass short middle to 83-D.Moore for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
11. Carolina Panthers XP (+1) — Q3 21:26 · KC 12 · Score 20-16
    4-E.Pineiro extra point is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-10-J.Hekker.
12. Kansas City Chiefs TD (+6) — Q3 17:49 · CAR 3 · Score 26-16
    (2:49) (Shotgun) 15-P.Mahomes pass short right to 8-D.Hopkins for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
13. Kansas City Chiefs XP (+1) — Q3 17:42 · CAR 15 · Score 27-16
    40-S.Shrader extra point is GOOD, Center-41-J.Winchester, Holder-14-M.Araiza.
14. Carolina Panthers FG (+3) — Q4 12:41 · KC 15 · Score 27-19
    (12:41) 4-E.Pineiro 33 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-44-J.Jansen, Holder-10-J.Hekker.
15. Carolina Panthers TD (+6) — Q4 1:49 · KC 1 · Score 27-25
    (1:49) 70-B.Christensen reported in as eligible. 30-C.Hubbard right tackle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
16. Carolina Panthers Safety (+2) — Q4 1:46 · KC 1 · Score 27-27
    TWO-POINT CONVERSION ATTEMPT. 30-C.Hubbard rushes up the middle. ATTEMPT SUCCEEDS.
17. Kansas City Chiefs FG (+3) — Q4 0:02 · CAR 13 · Score 30-27
    (:02) 40-S.Shrader 31 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-41-J.Winchester, Holder-14-M.Araiza.
18. Kansas City Chiefs FG (+3) — Q4 0:00 · Score 30-27
    END GAME