VOTE: Herm Edwards Motorola Coach of the Week | RB Larry Johnson FEDEX Ground Player of the Week | LB Derrick Johnson Defensive Player of the Week | CB Brandon Flower Rookie of the Week

Listen Live to the Chiefs vs Panthers - Windows | Real -

KANSAS CITY CHIEFS (1-3)
VS.
CAROLINA PANTHERS (3-1)

REGULAR SEASON GAME #5
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 5, 2008 – 12:00 PM (Central)
Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, NC

Broadcast Information
CBS Regional Coverage - KCTV-5 (CBS in Kansas City) - Play-by-play: Kevin Harlan - Color Commentator: Rich Gannon

Chiefs FOX Football Radio Network - KCFX-FM (101.1 FM in Kansas City - Affiliates) - Play-by-play: Mitch Holthus - Color Commentator: Len Dawson - Sideline Reporter: Kendall Gammon

Kansas City makes just its second-ever trip to Charlotte as the Chiefs face the Panthers at Bank of America Stadium on Sunday (10/5). The Chiefs only previous visit to the Queen City came in ‘97 and resulted in a 35-14 triumph (9/21/97) over a Panthers squad that was coming off an appearance in the ‘96 NFC Championship Game. Former collegiate teammates at San Diego State, Herm Edwards and John Fox will meet for the second time as NFL head coaches.

The Chiefs registered their initial victory of the 2008 season in convincing fashion last week, recording a 33-19 win vs. previously-undefeated Denver (9/28). Two-time Pro Bowl RB Larry Johnson rolled up 198 rushing yards and two TDs. Meanwhile, Kansas City’s defense forced four turnovers against Denver, including two fumble recoveries. The Chiefs currently lead the NFL with seven fumble recoveries on the season. Carolina enters this week’s contest at 3-1 after a 24-9 win vs. Atlanta (9/28), the 100th regular season victory in Panthers history.

This week, Chiefs nine-time Pro Bowl TE Tony Gonzalez (10,058) needs just three more yards to surpass TE Shannon Sharpe (10,060) for the most receiving yards by a tight end in NFL history. Gonzalez already owns more receptions (838) and receiving TDs (68) than any tight end in NFL history. Gonzalez was a rookie the last time KC played in Carolina. In three career games vs. the Panthers, he has 14 catches for 159 yards with one TD.

Panthers QB Jake Delhomme joined Carolina in 2003 and promptly guided the Panthers to a berth in Super Bowl XXXVIII. Delhomme has a pair of talented receiving targets in three-time Pro Bowl WR Steve Smith and two-time Pro Bowl WR Mushin Muhammad. Delhomme and Smith will face a Chiefs defense that is permitting just 202.8 passing ypg.

Next Sunday Kansas City will enjoy a bye week before returning to action vs. Tennessee at Arrowhead (10/19). Next up for Carolina is a trip to Tampa Bay (10/12).

THE SERIES
The Chiefs are 2-1 in regular season action vs. the Panthers, including a 35-14 win in their only previous visit to Carolina (9/21/97). The Panthers won the most recent meeting between the two squads by a 28-17 count at Arrowhead (9/19/04). The Panthers scored 14 unanswered points in the fourth quarter to overcome a 17-14 Chiefs lead. RB DeShaun Foster rushed 32 times for 174 yards, including a career-long 71-yard burst to set up a go-ahead TD.

Kansas City registered a 15-14 win vs. Carolina at Arrowhead (12/10/00) as head coaches and longtime friends Gunther Cunningham and George Seifert squared off. QB Elvis Grbac racked up 315 yards, including a six-yard TD to TE Tony Gonzalez (10-96, 1 TD). Kansas City overcame a 14-3 deficit with a 33-yard K Todd Peterson FG providing the winning margin in the contest.

In the initial meeting between these two franchises, KC intercepted Carolina QB Kerry Collins four times, including one that CB Mark McMillian returned for a 62-yard TD. QB Elvis Grbac threw for 224 yards and three TDs, including a 55-yard score to FB Kimble Anders. LB Donnie Edwards, S Jerome Woods and S James Hasty all registered INTs in the win.

HUARD’S HEROICS
Chiefs QB Damon Huard owns a 7-1 record with Kansas City when he posts a 100.0-rating game, including a 7-0 mark as a starter. In those eight 100.0-rating contests, he has thrown 13 TDs and no INTs. Huard owns a 15-11 record as an NFL starter, including a 10-10 record with KC. In Huard’s 10 victories as Kansas City’s starter, he has completed 185 of 280 passes (66.1%) for 2,279 yards with 16 TDs and three INTs, good for a 105.6 rating.

FROM COASTAL CAROLINA TO THE NFL
Chiefs QB Tyler Thigpen became the first player from Coastal Carolina to be selected in the NFL Draft when he was tabbed by Minnesota (D7-07). The Winnsboro, SC native completed 486 of 879 passes for 6,598 yards with 53 TDs for the Chanticleers and also rushed for 1,626 yards and 13 TDs. Thigpen made his initial NFL start for the Chiefs at Atlanta (9/21).

Complete 16 page release (PDF)