The Panthers put up far more of a fight than expected as they twice erased an 11-point deficit to draw level with Super Bowl champions the Chiefs inside the final two minutes.

The Chiefs have been winning close games all season, though, and there was a sense of inevitability about Patrick Mahomes striding forward for a 33-yard run to set up Spencer Shrader for a winning field goal – and 30-27 victory – as time expired.

Amazingly, it was the fifth time the Chiefs have won a game on the final play this season, and they are the first team in NFL history to win eight of their first 11 games by seven points or less as they improved to a 10-1 record.

“You want to have some blowouts,” said Mahomes. “I would love to win a game before the very last play.”

The Lions have been blowing teams out this season, but they used an old-fashioned ground-and-pound running attack to join the Chiefs at 10-1 by beating the Colts 24-6.

Nine straight wins have given Detroit their best start since 1934, behind running backs Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery, who scored touchdowns in the same game for the ninth time this season.