Buffalo Bills: Game Recap

Aug 8, 2014; Charlotte, NC, USA; Buffalo Bills head coach

watches a replay during the second half against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium. Buffalo defeated Carolina 20-18. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports

The Buffalo Bills faced the Carolina Panthers last night in their second preseason game while the Panthers are playing in their first preseason game.

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In the first quarter EJ Manuel looked like he was on.  At one point going 6-6 for 63 yards.  Sammy Watkins looked like he should and was making catches.  C.J. Spiller looked good early on.  The Bills stalled out on a short goalline push on their first drive, but the entire drive looked good overall.  Just from watching the first drive, there was a noticed improvement with the first team offense.  Their second drive was pretty much the same and ended with 3 point provided by Dan Carpenter.

As for the Bills defense, the starters held on a short field for the Panthers getting pressure and not giving a lot.  They held the Panthers on 3 downs and made them punt from their own end zone.  Good Start for them.  On the next drive, the defensive starters, got good pressure on Derek Anderson, but the back-end seemed a bit loose.  The back-end needs to tighten up and the QB needs to be contained.  With 2 first down keeper runs, gotta have a spy on the QB.  The Panthers second drive ended with a touchdown early on in the second quarter.  The Panthers were able to throw the ball on this drive, with what seemed like ease, even with the pressure that the Bills defense dialed up.  The run defense did give a little but never broke.  They still looked strong.  With a little better pass defense, the Panthers would not be moving the ball through the air as well as they did.

Doug Marrone kept the starters for both the offense and defense in for three series.  Overall, except for the TD, both squads looked good.  The offense was able to move the ball and the defense showed well against the run game.  The pass game needs a little tweaking, bit overall good showing from the first teams.

Thad Lewis did not look good on the first drive, missing a couple of passing and the Bills ultimately missing a FG opportunity by Carpenter.  The second team defense, looked well forcing a fumble on third down of their first series and giving Lewis and the second team offense and good look at the end zone and on a couple of plays putting the ball in the end zone with a run by Anthony Dixon.

Byrce Brown again looked good for a second week in a row, creating missed tackles and showing his speed to get to the outside and make plays.

The second team defense looked strong at the end of the first half.  They were able to shut down just about everything the Panthers threw at them, and came away with an interception with under a minute left in the half, giving the second team offense another chance for some points.