RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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ORCHARD PARK, NEW YORK - AUGUST 15: Kenny Pickett #12 of the Carolina Panthers runs the ball during the second quarter a preseason game against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium on August 15, 2026 in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Lauren Leigh Bacho/Getty Images) | Getty Images
We finally got to see the Panthers trot out their first team offense and defense this week. It was not an easy watch but I will let you read along if you didn’t catch the game yourself!
First Quarter
Josh Allen and the starting offense marched down the field with a 21 yard pass to Khalil Shakir and a 32 yard catch and run by DJ Moore, before their offense was stopped by a Jaelan Phillips sack. The Bills kicked a field goal to start the game 3-0. The Bills mostly smothered the Panthers starting offense with a 3 and out as Bryce Young threw the ball to avoid a sack on 3rd down. The Bills drove the ball down the field with their 1’s as the Panthers started to shift out their first team defense. The Panthers almost had another 3rd down sack but Trevis Gipson was called for a face mask on the play, the Bills followed it up with a Josh Allen touchdown pass to Keon Coleman. The Panthers second drive with the first team didn’t go much better, as they went 3 and out once again after a batted Bryce Young pass on 3rd down. The Panthers old friend Kyle Allen took over for the Bills. Mecole Hardeman took a rush for 27 yards, but a Cam Gill sack and a containment of Kyle Allen ended the first quarter with a 4th and 3 decision.
Second Quarter
The Bills converted said 4th down rather easily to open the quarter. Trevin Wallace made the tackle short of the sticks on the next set of downs, setting up a Tyler Bass field goal attempt, which he missed. 10-0 Bills. The Panthers opened their second quarter on offense with the starters still in. They appeared to get a first down but were called for a penalty. What it was, I am not sure because I had to watch the Bills stream via the NFL app and the broadcast spent the entire drive talking about the Bills’ newest amenities (I hate the preseason). Another 3 and out. The Bills took the ball and once again drove into scoring range, but a tackle for a loss on 2nd and a gang sack on 3rd down forced another field goal attempt. Bass made this one, 13-0 Bills. Kenny Two Gloves Pickett took over for the ensuing drive. A facemask penalty granted the Panthers the first conversion of downs of the game. A nice completion to Jimmy Horn Jr and a Ja’Seem Reed drawn defensive pass interference play later and the Panthers were in scoring range. Scramble by Kenny Pickett brought the team to first and goal. Kenny hit Ja’Seem Reed for a touchdown to make it 13-7 Bills! The Bills offense didn’t get much of a chance as the half closed out, the Panthers pass rush got after Kyle Allen to not give him much time to throw.
Third Quarter
The Panthers offense kicked things off and they were moving with two straight first downs. They got to a 4th down following a Kenny Pickett sack, but they kept the offense out and converted on a pass to James Mitchell. The next few plays were disastrous, but the Panthers were bailed out on 3rd and very long by another DPI penalty. Unfortunately, they got to 4th and 2, went for it again, and the Bills batted Pickett’s pass. Turnover on downs. The Bills took it back with Shane Buechele at the helm, and a big DPI penalty on Corey Thornton but the Bills into scoring range. They were stalled, so another Bass field goal got the score to 16-7 Bills. Kenny Pickett remained in the game and capped the quarter off with a 20 catch and run by AJ Dillon.
Fourth Quarter
Two sacks including one on 4th down swiftly ended the Panthers drive. The Bills drove it down the field with mostly running plays, capped off by a Ian Wheeler rushing touchdown on goal to go, as the announcers on the Bills broadcast were talking about sandwiches and chicken wings the whole drive. The Bills went for it on the 2 point conversion after a penalty and missed out. 22-7 Bills. Kyle Trask took over for Carolina. Kyle threw a pick after a holding penalty, a screen pass that the Bills defense jumped. Frank Gore Jr ran it in for the Bills to continue piling on the scoreboard, Bills 29-7. Kyle Trask led a nice touchdown drive to wind down the game, with a pass to John Metchie. Bills up 29-14
Final Thoughts
This game was a hard watch following the Hall of Fame Game. The Panthers starting offense went 3 and out on every drive they had, Jonathon Brooks was swallowed up on 2 of his 3 rushing attempts, and the offensive line as a whole didn’t look great at times. But, this is the preseason, so this is the time to work those kinks out. I was impressed with Trevis Gipson and Thomas Incoom as pass rushers during the day. Kenny Pickett did fine as a backup QB playing with the 2nd/3rd team offense. Share your thoughts down below on the preseason game!
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