Chiefs rally past Panthers, tie Raiders for AFC West lead

Chiefs rally past Panthers, tie Raiders for AFC West lead

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The Kansas City Chiefs had no offensive touchdowns, and their defense was on the field for much of the afternoon Sunday.

Marcus Peters stripped the ball from Kelvin Benjamin with 20 seconds left, Cairo Santos kicked a 37-yard field goal as time expired, and the Chiefs overcame a 17-point deficit to top Carolina 20-17.

Santos’ fourth field goal of the day split the uprights, lifting the Chiefs to their fifth straight victory and 17th in their past 19 games.

“This group has some character,” Kansas City head coach Andy Reid said.

Eric Berry provided a big spark, returning an interception 42 yards for a touchdown.

Berry’s big play helped the Chiefs (7-2) move into a tie for first place in the AFC West with the idle Raiders.

The Chiefs kicked a field goal to make it 17-6 before Berry’s interception return and Smith’s pass to Travis Kelce for the conversion.