Katherine Fitzgerald weighs in with her quarter-by-quarter analysis of the Buffalo Bills' 31-14 victory over the Carolina Panthers on Sunday.
With No. 2 wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders out because of a knee injury against the Carolina Panthers, Davis stepped into the starting lineup and came through in a big way during a 31-14 win at Highmark Stadium.
First quarter
A pregame mishap: Panthers kicker Zane Gonzalez was injured during warm ups and ruled out of the game, eventually leading the Panthers to go for it on fourth down five times. For the Bills, Jon Feliciano was put on the Reserve/Covid-19 list a few hours before the game.
Buffalo's first series: On the Bills’ first drive, Allen was hit and fumbled on third-and-15, but Spencer Brown recovered it. Still, the offensive line struggled early. The Bills went three-and-out, punting on fourth-and-20.
Jackson leaves and returns: Cornerback Dane Jackson was injured on running back Chuba Hubbard’s 21-yard run early in the game, and would miss the rest of the drive with a stinger. Jackson returned for the start of the next series. The 21-yard run was Hubbard’s longest of the game. He finished with 40 yards on eight carries.
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Fumbles: Carolina quarterback Cam Newton fumbled twice Sunday, though both were recovered by the Panthers. He fumbled on the opening play of a drive, the result of a bad handoff to Hubbard. Two plays later, Ed Oliver forced the other fumble, which D.J. Moore recovered.
Second quarter
Singletary scores: The Panthers went for a fourth-and-1 at the 50, and were unsuccessful. The Bills took over and moved quickly, a 16-yard touchdown run by Devin Singletary capping the six-play drive. It was the first rushing touchdown by a Bills running back since Week 10 against the Jets.
Panthers struggling: On the Panthers’ first drive of the second quarter, they lost eight yards. On third-and-8, Newton was sacked by cornerback Taron Johnson for a loss of 10 yards.
Diggs: The Bills scored again after the Panthers’ three-and-out. Allen found wide receiver Stefon Diggs for an 11-yard touchdown. It was Diggs’ eighth touchdown of the season, matching his total from the 2020 regular season.
Allen intercepted: Allen was intercepted by Panthers safety Jeremy Chinn. It was Allen’s 12th pick of the year, and ninth in the last seven games. Twelve interceptions also matches his rookie year total. The Panthers scored off of the Allen interception three plays later.
For a run game that has taken a whole bunch of criticism this season, the 31-14 victory over the Carolina Panthers was indeed a step in the right direction, writes Jay Skurski.
Third quarter
Bills to start: On third-and-8, Allen ripped off a 26-yard run where his foot did not seem to be a problem. But the Bills couldn’t do anything after that. A three-yard gain and then two incompletes led them to punt on their first drive of the second half.
Getting to Cam: Newton was sacked four times Sunday. Star Lotulelei had a six-yard sack in his return from a toe injury to bring up third-and-16. Newton then ran for 13 yards the next play, but it was not enough.
Dependable Davis: Gabriel Davis logged his third consecutive game with a touchdown, this one a solid 20-yard catch. Davis had a 29-yard catch earlier on the drive to move the Bills down the field.
Allen in the record books: With his touchdown throw to Davis, Allen also became the first Bills quarterback to throw for more than 30 touchdowns in two different seasons. The two seasons were also consecutive: He had 37 last year.
The Buffalo Bills had to contend with Carolina’s best strength – its two elite speed rushers – with a shuffled offensive line after Dion Dawkins tested positive for Covid-19.
Fourth quarter
Defense gets stop: The Panthers turned it over on downs in the red zone at the start of the fourth quarter. On fourth-and-5 from the Buffalo 10, Newton’s pass was batted by Jerry Hughes. Newton was looking for D.J. Moore.
A brief benching: Rookie Brown was flagged five times Sunday. After his fifth, which was for taunting, he came out of the game for two plays, with Tommy Doyle filling in. He came back for third-and-6, where Allen was sacked for a loss of 10. The Bills punted from the end zone.
Obada sacks: Former Panther Efe Obada got two sacks in three plays on his former teammate. Both were for a loss of eight yards, and the second came on fourth-and-10. The turnover on downs gave the Bills the ball at the Carolina 46.
End of game: On fourth-and-2, the Bills not only went for it, Allen hit Davis with his second touchdown of the day, good for 14 yards. The Panthers got it back once more, but with no timeouts. Linebacker A.J. Klein intercepted Newton with about a minute left.
