The Buffalo Bills started the season 4-0, and looked like one of the best teams in the NFL. Since then, they have lost to the New England Patriots and the Atlanta Falcons in back-to-back weeks. Now, Buffalo will face the Carolina Panthers on Sunday, hoping to avoid a third straight loss.
In recent years, this would be viewed as a get-right game for the Bills, as the Panthers have been one of the worst teams in the NFL the last few seasons. However, Carolina enters the game on a three-game winning streak, and it has one thing working for it that provides a serious threat to Buffalo. The Panthers’ rushing attack could extend their winning streak, and the Bills losing streak, on Sunday.
Bills will need to stop the run to win against the Panthers
The key to Carolina’s win streak has been running the ball. In the last three weeks, the Panthers are averaging 193.3 rushing yards per game. With Rico Dowdle and Chuba Hubbard in the backfield, and a really good offensive line, Carolina has the third-best rushing attack in the NFL. The good news for the Panthers is Buffalo has one of the worst rushing defenses in the league.
The Bills are allowing 156.3 rushing yards per game, which ranks 31st in the NFL. In Buffalo’s last game, Bijan Robinson and the Atlanta Falcons ran all over the Bills, rushing 32 times for 212 yards (6.6 yards per carry), and two touchdowns. It’s safe to assume Carolina will try to do the same thing.
If Buffalo isn’t better against the run, the Panthers will be successful, and they’ll have a good chance of pulling off the upset. That would send the Bills to 4-3, giving them their third straight loss, and a lot to think about. The reality of football is you have to be able to stop the run to win games, and Buffalo hasn’t been able to do that. That must change on Sunday or it will be time for some tough conversations.