A winning streak is something that has not been talked about at Arrowhead for a long time, on Sunday the Chiefs have a opportunity to begin one. The Chiefs will travel to Carolina to take on the 3 and 1 Panthers beginning a seven game stretch in which they will face likely playoff teams. This game and the next six will be the test of all tests for the sixteen rookies on this roster. The Panthers in many ways are what the Chiefs hope to become.

Carolina plays a tough physical hit you in the mouth style of football and can mix it up with two very good receivers in Steve Smith and Muhsin Muhammad. Don’t let the stats fool you the Panthers do not rank in the top 17 in any major offensive statistical categories, but they are not asked to put up a bunch of points they only have to score about 20 points a game and run the clock down.

The Chiefs will once again be led this week by Damon Huard last week he completed 75% percent of his passes and stabilized a very erratic offense. Herm Edwards has made several statements this week that make it sound like if Huard can find a way to pull off another upset he may stay in, until his hot hand cools off. Carolina’s defense will present much greater problems for Huard and the Chiefs than Denver. The Chiefs will have to contain a intimidating front seven led by all pro defensive end Julius Peppers and second year linebacker Jon Beason. To make matters worse for the Chiefs O-line they will face this battle without rookie left tackle Branden Albert. Herb Taylor filled in nicely last week and played impressively in the preseason, Taylor will play a major roll in the success or failure of the O-line this week.

Brandon Carr and Brandon Flowers both caused a lot of turnovers and played well for the most part last week , but they did give up a ton of yards to the Broncos receivers. When you get turnovers you can do that but Muhsin Muhammad is a physical force and Steve Smith maybe the craftiest receiver in the league. He can always find a way to get behind coverage and is not afraid to go across the middle and take a hit. The “Brandon Brothers” will face another tough test this week to be sure. The Panthers as a whole are low turnover offense led by a very cerebral quarterback in Jake Delhomme and a two headed rushing attack featuring rookie Jonathan Stewart and DeAngelo Williams. Derrick Johnson will need to repeat his

breakout performance from last week. Johnson will be aided in his quest to repeat his performance, both Carolina tackles are injured and will be out this game..

Keys to the game

Find a third receiver: A quarter of a season is over and besides D-Bowe and Tony G the next leading receiver has three receptions. Devard Darling has not lived up to expectations thus far, Will Franklin has battled the injury bug and Jeff Webb just seems to disappear in games. Carolina will force the Chiefs into plenty of third down situations and the Chiefs can’t keep getting by with only two options in the passing game. Until a third option shows himself defenses will start to scheme even more boldly against Gonzalez and Bowe daring them to throw it to someone else.

Keep L.J. angry: With most athletes you would want them to be motivated with L.J. it is not a motivation issue it is a anger issue. Every one knows L.J. runs the most effective when he feels slighted or has a chip on his shoulder. Early in the season L.J. struggled then the Chiefs gave him 10 carries in a game. L.J. had a meltdown after that and ever since he has been putting up 100 yard rushing games. I don’t know if the Chiefs need to pay someone to tell him some “Yo Mama” jokes, Herm needs to make sure L.J.’s anger is at the appropriate level before this game starts.

Get a lead early: Every team wants to get a early lead, but having a lead may not be more important to any other team than the Chiefs. Every thing the Chiefs want to do is predicated on playing with the lead, running the ball, killing the clock, playing field position. You can’t do any of these things if you are playing from behind. In addition scoring early will give the Chiefs offense confidence, with all the young players that will be playing they will need that confidence so they don’t get overwhelmed in this game.

Injury report:

QB:Brodie Croyle- Shoulder, out

LB: Donnie Edwards- Ankle, out

LT: Branden Albert- Elbow, out

LB: Erik Walden- Ankle, questionable

Panthers Report:

T: Jordan Gross- Concussion, out

T: Jeff Otah- Ankle, doubtful

QB: Matt Moore- Leg, doubtful

S: Quinton Teal- Ankle, questionable

CB: Ken Lucas- Ankle, questionable

WR: Ryne Robinson- Knee, questionable

Weather Report:

Conditions in Carolina will be perfect for football. Temperature at kickoff will be seventy degrees with clear skies and will climb into the upper seventies by the final whistle.

Final Score: Chiefs 13 Panthers 27

It is hard to pick against a team that has a advantage at almost every position.. The Chiefs may come into this one with a lot of energy after getting the taste of victory, but Carolina will be more than able to with stand the Chiefs surge. This game will probably stay within a possession for a while since both teams are conservative on offense but I see Carolina putting this one away sometime in the second half.