Here is who national experts predict will win Chiefs at Panthers game

Here are some encouraging statistics for Chiefs fans heading into Sunday’s game against the Carolina Panthers in Charlotte.

The NFL Network’s Ali Bhanpuri noted the Chiefs’ Patrick Mahomes is 18-4 in games following a loss. That .818 winning percentage is the best of any quarterback in the Super Bowl era. He’s also 35-6 against teams with a losing record, including a 13-0 mark against ones that are at least four games under .500, she said.

Carolina has a 3-7 record, so on paper things look good for the 9-1 Chiefs.

Will that translate into a victory? Not everyone thinks so. Here is who 63 experts are picking in the game, which starts at noon and is being broadcast on KCTV (Ch. 5) and KWCH (Ch. 12).

A 27-13 Chiefs victory is the prediction from the Associated Press’ Rob Maaddi. Here is an excerpt from his story: “Patrick Mahomes hopes one loss sparks more urgency. The Panthers are an ideal bounce-back opponent, though they’ve won two in a row. A bye slowed down their momentum. Carolina isn’t ready to pull off an upset of this magnitude.”

The Chiefs are the choice for all eight writers at CBS Sports: Pete Prisco, Will Brinson, Ryan Wilson, Dave Richard, Jamey Eisenberg, John Breech, Jared Dubin and Tyler Sullivan. Prisco predicts a 32-13 score. This is from his story: “With the Chiefs losing, their focus will be good. That will matter. They regroup and beat up on a team they are much better than from a talent standpoint. The Chiefs get back on track.”

The Chiefs will win 31-14, says the Sporting News’ Bill Bender. This is an excerpt from his story: “The Chiefs are coming off their first loss, and the Panthers are on a two-game win streak coming out of a bye week. The Chiefs have averaged 67.5 rushing yards per game the past two weeks. Look for Kansas City to get that going against a Carolina defense that ranks last in the NFL at 160.1 yards per game. Patrick Mahomes will do the rest.”

The Chiefs are the pick for all seven writers at the Athletic: Larry Holder, Ben Standig, Josiah Turner, Josh Kendall, Nick Kosmider, Austin Mock and Tashan Reed. This is from Scott Phillips’ story: “Protecting Mahomes is a must for Kansas City. Against Buffalo, Mahomes took two sacks and was hit by six different Bills defenders. Although Kansas City remains in the chase for the AFC’s top seed, Mahomes is tied for the league lead in interceptions through inconsistent play during the regular season.”

Going with the Chiefs are five writers at NFL.com: Bhanpuri (27-15 final score), Brooke Cersosimo (32-18), Dan Parr (30-17), Gennaro Filice (30-10) and Tom Blair (28-16). Here is a snippet of what Bhanpuri wrote: “For Carolina to pull off the biggest upset to date this season, Bryce Young will have to play the best game of his football career. Whatever offensive success the Panthers have mustered this year has been built on the back of, well, their primary back, with Chuba Hubbard enjoying a breakout campaign. That recipe, even if it now includes rookie RB Jonathon Brooks, likely won’t work against the Chiefs’ dominant run defense, which ranks top five by most standard and advanced metrics.”

Picking the Chiefs are the seven USA Today writers: Jarrett Bell (30-17 final score), Chris Bumbaca (28-14), Nate Davis (27-17), Tyler Dragon (27-14), Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz (31-13), Lorenzo Reyes (31-16) and Jordan Mendoza (29-20). This is what Mendoza wrote: “The spread seems too large since Kansas City doesn’t blow out opponents. However, they have way more talent than Carolina. The Chiefs shouldn’t have any struggles against the Panthers, and maybe the offense breaks out.”

The Chiefs are the choice for all 11 ESPN experts: Stephania Bell, Mike Clay, Jeremy Fowler, Kalyn Kahler, Moses Moody, Kimberly Martin, Jason Reid, Lindsey Thiry, Matt Bowen, Dan Graziano and Seth Wickersham.

The Chiefs are the pick for four of the five SB Nation writers: JP Acosta, David Fucillo, Brandon Lee Bowton and Matt Warren. Taking Carolina is James Dator.

The Chiefs will win, say nine of 10 Dallas Morning-News members: Tim Cowlishaw, Joey Hayden, Kevin Sherrington, Abraham Nudelstejer, Craig Miller, Calvin Watkins, David Moore, Dana Larson and Damon Marx. Picking the Panthers is Newy Scruggs.

Picking the Chiefs are all six Sports Illustrated writers: Albert Breer, Mitch Goldich, Gilberto Manzano, Conor Orr, John Pluym and Matt Verderame.

Picking the Chiefs are both Pro Football Talk writers: Mike Florio (27-17 final score) and Chris Simms (28-13).