CHARLOTTE – After starting the season 5-2, the Buffalo Bills have lost four out of their last six games to sit at 7-6 and right on the edge of the AFC playoff picture.
That skid started with a clunker to Jacksonville and came to a head with a comeback that fell short in overtime on Sunday at Tampa Bay.
Buffalo’s statement win over the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 5 seems so long ago now, as the Bills have struggled with preseason expectations of a return to the AFC Championship or more.
However, this game still has plenty of storylines, so let’s dive right in.
CAROLINA NORTH
After former Panthers defensive coordinator Sean McDermott became Buffalo’s head coach and former Panthers assistant GM Brandon Beane went north for the Bills general manager position, there have been plenty of trades and signings involving former Panthers and Bills.
The Bills currently have six former Panthers on the active roster in Mario Addison, Vernon Butler, Star Lotulelei, Efe Obada, Andre Smith and Daryl Williams. Bryan Cox, Jr. is on IR and A.J. Klein is currently on the COVID-19 list.
The Panthers have a former Bill themselves in assistant GM Dan Morgan, who spent three seasons in the Bills front office before returning to Carolina this summer.
Linebacker Jermaine Carter Jr. already spoke this week about his excitement in seeing Smith, a member of his 2018 Panthers draft class.
ALLEN’S HEALTH
Bills quarterback Josh Allen has struggled a bit over this recent stretch, throwing eight interceptions in the past six games compared to just three picks in the first seven games.
Allen still ranks fourth in the NFL with 28 passing touchdowns and seventh with 3,524 passing yards. His 531 rushing yards rank third among quarterbacks.
McDermott said Monday that Allen suffered a foot sprain in the game at Tampa Bay and is day-to-day. Former North Carolina quarterback Mitch Trubisky is Allen’s backup, so that news will be worth monitoring this week.
STOUT DEFENSE
The Buffalo defense is not only stingy, but opportunistic. Buffalo leads the NFL with +122.54 defensive expected points added.
That aggregate stat comes from Buffalo’s 26 takeaways (3rd), 65 tackles for loss (5th) and 81 points off turnovers (5th).
Buffalo has allowed just 288.9 net yards per game and 17.2 first downs per game, leading the NFL in both categories. Teams are scoring touchdowns on just 50.0 percent of red zone drives, and averaging just 5.6 yards per net pass attempt.
1 / 34
Julius Peppers during the Panthers game against the Bills on Sunday, Sep. 16, 2017.
Melissa Melvin-Rodriguez/Carolina Panthers
2 / 34
Carolina Panthers’ Steve Smith (89) eludes a tackle by Buffalo Bills’ Troy Vincent (23) during the first half of the the game at Ralph Wilson Stadium in Orchard Park, N.Y., Sunday, Nov. 27, 2005. (AP Photo/David Duprey)
DAVID DUPREY/2005 AP
3 / 34
Buffalo Bills’ Willis McGahee (21) is tackled by Carolina Panthers’ Chris Draft (52) during the second half of the game at Ralph Wilson Stadium in Orchard Park, N.Y., Sunday, Nov. 27, 2005. The Panthers won, 13-9. (AP Photo/David Duprey)
DAVID DUPREY/2005 AP
4 / 34
Carolina Panthers’ Chris Gamble (20) celebrates his interception with teammate Ricky Manning Jr. (24) during the fourth quarter of the game against the Buffalo Bills at Ralph Wilson Stadium in Orchard Park, N.Y., Sunday, Nov. 27, 2005. The interception sealed the Panthers’ 13-9 win over the Bills. (AP Photo/David Duprey)
DAVID DUPREY/2005 AP
5 / 34
Carolina Panthers’ Michael Gaines (84) celebrates his touchdown reception in the end zone during the second half of the game against the Buffalo Bills at Ralph Wilson Stadium in Orchard Park, N.Y., Sunday, Nov. 27, 2005. The Panthers won, 13-9.(AP Photo/Don Heupel)
DON HEUPEL/2005 AP
6 / 34
Carolina Panthers’ DeShaun Foster (26) runs under pressure from Buffalo Bills’ Eric King (29) and Jabari Greer (33) during the second half of the game at Ralph Wilson Stadium in Orchard Park, N.Y., Sunday, Nov. 27, 2005.The Panthers won, 13-9.(AP Photo/Don Heupel)
DON HEUPEL/2005 AP
7 / 34
Buffalo Bills quarterback J. P. Losman is sacked by Carolina Panthers’ Jordan Carstens (67) during the first half of the game at Ralph Wilson Stadium in Orchard Park, N.Y., Sunday, Nov. 27, 2005. (AP Photo/David Duprey)
DAVID DUPREY
8 / 34
during the Panthers game against the Bills on Sunday, Sep. 16, 2017.
Jamey Price/Carolina Panthers
9 / 34
Buffalo Bills running back Willis McGahee (21) is tackled by Carolina Panthers’ Ricky Manning Jr. (24) and Chris Draft (52) in Orchard Park, N.Y., Sunday, Nov. 27, 2005. A year after producing 36 offensive touchdowns, the Bills have managed a mere 14 this season. Buffalo’s offense ranks 30th overall. (AP Photo/David Duprey)
DAVID DUPREY/2005 AP
10 / 34
Cam Newton during the Panthers game against the Bills on Sunday, Sep. 16, 2017.
Jamey Price/Carolina Panthers
11 / 34
Kelvin Benjamin catches a pass during the Panthers game against the Bills on Sunday, Sep. 16, 2017.
Jamey Price/Carolina Panthers
12 / 34
Mario Addison during the Panthers game against the Bills on Sunday, Sep. 16, 2017.
Melissa Melvin-Rodriguez/Carolina Panthers
13 / 34
Jonathan Stewart carries the football during the Panthers game against the Bills on Sunday, Sep. 16, 2017.
Jamey Price/Carolina Panthers
14 / 34
Carolina Panthers’ Jake Delhomme (17) is shown against the Buffalo Bills in the first half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Oct. 25, 2009. (AP Photo/Nell Redmond)
Nell Redmond
15 / 34
Carolina Panthers’ Jake Delhomme (17) scrambles against the Buffalo Bills in the first half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Oct. 25, 2009. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)
Chuck Burton
16 / 34
Buffalo Bills’ Ryan Fitzpatrick (14) scrambles against the Carolina Panthers in the second half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Oct. 25, 2009. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)
Chuck Burton
17 / 34
Carolina Panthers’ DeAngelo Williams (34) runs as Buffalo Bills’ George Wilson (37) and Drayton Florence (29) defend in the first half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Oct. 25, 2009. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)
Chuck Burton/AP2009
18 / 34
Carolina Panthers’ Steve Smith (89) is shown against the Buffalo Bills in the second half of Buffalo’s 20-9 win in an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Oct. 25, 2009. (AP Photo/Rick Havner)
Rick Havner/AP2009
19 / 34
Buffalo Bills’ Jairus Byrd (31) returns an interception against the Carolina Panthers in the second half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Oct. 25, 2009. (AP Photo/Rick Havner)
Rick Havner/AP2009
20 / 34
Carolina Panthers’ Julius Peppers (90) is shown against the Buffalo Bills in the first half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Oct. 25, 2009. (AP Photo/Nell Redmond)
Nell Redmond/AP2009
21 / 34
Buffalo Bills quarterback Doug Flutie (7) looks downfield as Carolina Panthers’ Tim Morabito (90) closes in during the third quarter at Ericsson Stadium in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Oct. 25, 1998. (AP Photo/Alan Marler)
ALAN MARLER
22 / 34
Buffalo Bills’ Travis Henry (20) scores the game-winning touchdown over the Carolina Panthers during the fourth quarter of the game at Ralph Wilson Stadium in Orchard Park, N.Y., Sunday, Dec. 9, 2001. (AP Photo/David Duprey)
DAVID DUPREY
23 / 34
Carolina Panthers Star Lotulelei (98) grabs Buffalo Bills C.J. Spiller (28) while fending off a block from Colin Brown (74) during a 24-23 loss to the Buffalo Bills in an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 15, 2013, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Bill Wippert)
Bill Wippert
24 / 34
Buffalo Bills cornerback Nickell Robey (37) pressures Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 15, 2013, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Gary Wiepert)
Gary Wiepert
25 / 34
Buffalo Bills’ C J Spiller (28) jumps over Carolina Panthers’ Mike Mitchell (21) as Panthers’ Thomas Davis (58) closes during an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 15, 2013, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Gary Wiepert)
Gary Wiepert
26 / 34
Carolina Panthers receiver Ted Ginn Jr. celebrates a second half touchdown catch against the Buffalo Bills during an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 15, 2013, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Bill Wippert)
Bill Wippert
27 / 34
Buffalo Bills quarterback EJ Manuel passes against the Carolina Panthers in the third quarter of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 15, 2013, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Bill Wippert)
Bill Wippert
28 / 34
Carolina Panthers tight end Greg Olsen (88) runs against Buffalo Bills outside linebacker Arthur Moats (52) after a pass reception in the first quarter of a NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 15, 2013, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Gary Wiepert)
Gary Wiepert
29 / 34
Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) begins a play against the Buffalo Bills in an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 15, 2013, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Bill Wippert)
Bill Wippert
30 / 34
Curtis Samuel has a pass broken up by the defense during the Panthers game against the Bills on Sunday, Sep. 16, 2017.
Melissa Melvin-Rodriguez/Carolina Panthers
31 / 34
Christian McCaffrey carries the football during the Panthers game against the Bills on Sunday, Sep. 16, 2017.
Jamey Price/Carolina Panthers
32 / 34
Julius Peppers during the Panthers game against the Bills on Sunday, Sep. 16, 2017.
Melissa Melvin-Rodriguez/Carolina Panthers
33 / 34
Luke Kuechly makes a tackle during the Panthers game against the Bills on Sunday, Sep. 16, 2017.
Melissa Melvin-Rodriguez/Carolina Panthers
34 / 34
Cam Newton rushes during the Panthers game against the Bills on Sunday, Sep. 16, 2017.
Melissa Melvin-Rodriguez/Carolina Panthers
https://www.panthers.com/news/know-your-foe-buffalo-bills-week-15-2021
