Panthers' close call against Chiefs has coach Dave Canales excited about the direction of the team

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — There are no moral victories in professional sports.

However the Carolina Panthers’ ability to take the two-time defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs down to the wire on Sunday before losing 30-27 on a walk-off field goal has first-year coach Dave Canales excited about the direction of his team.

And he has a right to be.

The Panthers (3-8) have come a long way since losing their first two games by a combined 73-13 margin.

Canales said that while players were sick to their stomachs in the locker room after the game for “letting an opportunity slip away,” he added that he believes they can “feel what is happening” in the organization and likes the team's fight.

“We are becoming us," Canales said. “We’re becoming a style of football that we want to pride ourselves on. We took care of the football. Defensively, we got after it ... I think that the guys can feel what we’re trying to get done philosophically."

Canales even gave his players the day off on Monday, something that usually only happens after wins.

A big reason for the team's improvement in recent weeks is the play of quarterback Bryce Young.

Young made big plays at crucial times, leading the Panthers back from 11 points down in the fourth quarter to tie the game before Patrick Mahomes drove the Chiefs on a game-winning drive in the final two minutes.

Young finished 21 of 35 for 263 yards with one touchdown and no turnovers.

Breaking with his custom over the past few weeks, Canales immediately said Young will be the team's starter next Sunday against Tampa Bay.

“I just saw him playing decisive and it comes with confidence in knowing his guys are going to be where they’re supposed to be when they’re supposed to be there,” Canales said. “You saw a bunch of back foot throws where he knew somebody was coming open and the anticipation, all that comes from the chemistry just building over these weeks. I was really excited to see some of those things come alive.”

Still, Young is just 4-18 as an NFL starter, and Canales stopped short of saying the 2023 No. 1 overall pick has what it takes to be the team's franchise quarterback.

“That’s really far in the future,” Canales said. “Right now, I’m just looking to build off this week, have another solid week of practice, bring the guys back together and just attack the basics, the fundamentals right now.”

Edge rusher D.J. Wonnum has given an immediate boost to the Panthers pass rush since coming off injured reserve. Carolina has had seven sacks in Wonnum's two starts, including five on Sunday against Patrick Mahomes. Carolina had only 10 sacks in nine games without Wonnum.

Wonnum has two sacks and a forced fumble, and his presence has helped take pressure of edge rusher Jadeveon Clowney.

“He’s a pro’s pro the way he prepares, how meticulous he is about his rush plan, just learning the different players he’s playing against and just how focused and intentional he is in his practice and preparation and it shows up on game day,” Canales said.

The Panthers secondary remains a major issue. Carolina allowed Mahomes to carve them up, completing 27 of 37 passes for 269 yards and three touchdowns. Carolina has now allowed 21 passing touchdowns, which ranks near the bottom of the league.

Veteran wide receiver David Moore saw increased playing time with rookie Jalen Coker a game-time scratch. Moore responded with a team-high six catches for 81 yards and a touchdown. Moore has the trust of Canales after playing for him last season in Tampa Bay.

Cornerback Dane Jackson failed to tackle Mahomes on his big 33-yard run that set up the winning field goal.

Rookie tight end Ja'Tavion Sanders was discharged from the hospital on Sunday after suffering a neck injury and having to be carted off the field on a backboard. Sanders had the use of all of his extremities, the team said. It's too early to know if he'll play in Week 13.

7 — If the Panthers lose Sunday it'll mark the seventh straight season they've finished with a losing record under owner David Tepper. Carolina has not been to the postseason since Tepper bought the team from Jerry Richardson in 2018.

The Panthers host Tampa Bay and former Carolina QB Baker Mayfield on Sunday. Mayfield beat the Panthers twice last season, gaining a measure of revenge after being cut by Carolina midway through the 2022 season. Mayfield is 3-0 against the Panthers.

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Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) runs in overtime against the Carolina Panthers during an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)

Carolina Panthers cornerback Dane Jackson (23) breaks up a pass intended for Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins (8) in the end zone during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)

Carolina Panthers wide receiver David Moore (83) works for a catch against Kansas City Chiefs safety Nazeeh Johnson (13) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)

Carolina Panthers wide receiver David Moore, left, celebrates his touchdown against the Kansas City Chiefs during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)

Carolina Panthers linebacker D.J. Wonnum (98) tackles Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)

Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young (9) is sacked by the Kansas City Chiefs defense during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Rusty Jones)

Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young (9) works in the pocket during the first half of an NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)

Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young (9) runs out of the pocket against the Kansas City Chiefs during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Rusty Jones)

HENDERSON, Nev. (AP) — Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Gardner Minshew is out for the rest of the season with a broken collarbone, coach Antonio Pierce said Monday.

Minshew was injured with 3:12 left in Sunday's 29-19 loss to the Denver Broncos.

Pierce will have to decide whether Aidan O'Connell or Desmond Ridder will start Friday's game at Kansas City.

O'Connell has been on injured reserve with a broken thumb but was designated to return to practice Monday. That gives the Raiders a three-week-window to decide when to activate him. Until that time, O'Connell will not count against the roster.

Having a short week complicates matters. Pierce said there wouldn't be any typical practices as a result, but there would be way to gauge whether O'Connell is ready to go. Pierce said he would make sure O'Connell would be able to grip the ball without pain.

“Putting a player out there who's hurting or injured still, that's not going to benefit the player or our team,” Pierce said.

O'Connell started the last half of last season as a rookie, guiding the Raiders to a 5-4 record over that time. He lost the starting job to Minshew in the preseason but got it back six games into the season. That's when he was injured a week later against the Los Angeles Rams.

The Raiders also could turn to Ridder, who replaced Minshew when he got hurt Sunday. Las Vegas signed Ridder off Arizona’s practice squad on Oct. 21. He started 13 games in Atlanta last season, passing for 2,836 yards and 12 touchdowns with 12 interceptions.

In relief of Minshew against the Broncos, Ridder completed 5 of 10 passes for 64 yards. He led the Raiders on a last-ditch drive, taking them to Denver's 1-yard line before the game ended.

“He's a competitor,” Pierce said. “Obviously, he was dealt a difficult hand. He was thrown in the fire with no reps, but he did move the ball downfield.”

The Raiders also could take a look at Daniel Jones, though Pierce threw some water on the idea, calling it the “third and fourth” option. Pierce said, however, that general manager Tom Telesco would do due diligence.

Jones was released Friday by the New York Giants. He was the sixth pick in the 2019 NFL draft and went 24-44-1 as the starter. The Giants signed Jones to a four-year, $160 million contract in March 2023.

“We'll see what happens by the end of the day,” Pierce said.

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Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Gardner Minshew (15) is assisted by trainers and Head Coach Antonio Pierce, right, after an injury during the second half of an NFL football game against the Denver Broncos, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Gardner Minshew (15) is helped off the field after an injury against he Denver Broncos during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)