The Bills best the Panthers 29-14 in first preseason outing

Orchard Park, N.Y. (WGR Sports Radio 550) - The Buffalo Bills are back in action. Preseason action, that is, after their win over the Carolina Panthers 29-14. Opening the new Highmark Stadium with a win.

The Bills starters were on the field, along with the Panthers, to start the first quarter. It was a quick start for Josh Allen and the Bills offense, with big gains from Khalil Shakir and DJ Moore. They ultimately were held short, and Tyler Bass’ number was called for the first time in about a year. He put the first three points of the contest on the board.

Defensively, the Bills were shutting down the Panthers. They forced a punt right away, which allowed Allen to lead an eight-play, 80-yard drive that was capped by a 9-yard touchdown pass to Keon Coleman for the first-ever touchdown at Highmark Stadium.

There was a slight injury concern on the drive as DJ Moore had to be looked at by trainers. All is good, as he was reported to be walking around and chatting with everyone afterward. It would be the end of the day for Allen, Moore and many of the other starters.

The defense continued to stifle anything the Panthers were throwing at it as they forced another punt after Terrel Bernard batted down a third-down pass at the line of scrimmage.

Kyle Allen took over the offense and ran down the clock at the end of the first quarter. On a fourth down, they decided to try to convert rather than have Bass attempt another field goal, and they were successful on a pass from Allen to Coleman. The drive stalled at the Carolina 26-yard line. Bass was called upon to extend the lead but ultimately missed from 45 yards out.

After another big defensive stop for the Bills, Bass earned a chance at redemption. After the offensive drive stalled out once again at the Panthers’ 28-yard line, Bass drilled a 46-yard field goal to extend the lead to 13-0.

Many of the starters on both sides of the ball were now on the bench. Kenny Pickett also checked in at quarterback for the Panthers. He led a 10-play, 83-yard touchdown drive to bring the score to 13-7. Allen tried to answer back, but ultimately, time ran off the clock, and the first half came to a close with the Bills up by six points.

It was an uneventful third quarter to say the least. The Panthers chewed eight minutes of clock with Pickett under Center, and it all led to a turnover on downs. The Bills took over on their own 19 yard line. They were able to score on their next series at the hands of Bass once again after Shane Buechele marched them right down to Carolina’s 11 yard line. It was a 29-yard field goal from Bass, which put the Bills ahead 16-7 with 1:29 left in the third quarter.

After another turnover on downs a few minutes into the fourth quarter for the Panthers, the Bills offense quarterbacked by Buechele was able to put a touchdown on the board. Ian Wheeler, the UFL running back, ran it up the middle for a 6 yard touchdown. The Bills did attempt a two point conversion, but we’re unable to convert with an incomplete pass. Bills led 22-7 with just under nine minutes left in the game.

The Panthers looked to bounce back. The Bills’ own updrafted free agent signing, Kani Walker, had other plans. As he intercepted a short pass from Kyle Trask and took it 4 yards to the Carolina 22 yard line. Frank Gore Junior finished off the next drive for the Bills with a 3 yard touchdown run. Bass attempted an extra point which was successful and the Bills extended their lead as the game clock was now under five minutes.

The final minutes came off of the clock and the Panthers were able to score a touchdown with only 20 seconds left. Trask connected with John Metchie for a 9-yard pass to lessen the deficit. Ultimately it would not matter as the Bills had the hefty lead.

The first week of the preseason was through for the Bills as they ended up winning 29-14.

Next week, they travel to Cleveland for a joint practice in the week and then their second preseason matchup next Saturday at 1:00.