‘The Bills had led the league in takeaways just a few weeks ago, but have only forced two takeaways on defense over their last four games (they also have one special teams takeaway). They now sit tied for third with 26 overall. The Panthers have turned the ball over 23 times, fourth most in the NFL, including 17 interceptions thrown, second most in the league. The Bills have to get back to taking the ball away and setting their offense up with short fields. Opportunities will be there.’
Archives for December 2021
WKBW predicts the Panthers vs. Bills Week 15 matchup
‘If the Buffalo Bills can’t beat the Carolina Panthers they don’t deserve to be a playoff team.’
Week 15 preview: Bills aim to keep postseason hopes alive vs. Carolina
‘The Bills need Allen more than ever right now, and a 100% Allen at that. The team is fighting for their playoff lives and let’s face it if Allen is not healthy, this team is going to have a tough time making a deep playoff run. It will be worth monitoring Allen’s foot on Sunday versus Carolina as the game goes on.’
Carucci Take2: Bills recognize they can take nothing for granted vs. lowly Panthers
‘However, the reality is the Bills can’t afford to take a chance with any of the final four games of the regular season. The AFC East title is still within their grasp. To have any hope of winning it, they likely must have a 4-0 finish. For that matter, to assure themselves of at least a wild-card playoff spot, they probably can’t afford to win any fewer than three games.’
Thad’s Three Things: Bills vs. Panthers
‘Clearly, the guy is a warrior and will be on the field if it’s in any way possible, but the Bills might need him to be at or close to 100%. Allen is just about the entire offense right now. Running the ball with actual running backs seems more hope and prayer than plan this season. The Bills need the extra blocker that running the ball with the quarterback provides. Obviously, Allen is also the triggerman for what remains a very dangerous, if maybe a bit less consistent, Bills passing game.’
Top 5 storylines for Bills vs. Panthers | Week 15
‘Right now the Panthers are 5-8 and in last place in the NFC South. Don’t count them out yet though because there’s a chance they can make it into the postseason as the NFC is loaded with 6-win teams. Unfortunately, the Panthers still have to play the Buccaneers twice before the end of the regular season.’
5 things to watch for in Bills vs. Panthers | Week 15
‘A persistent problem for Carolina’s defense has been keeping opponents out of the end zone once they crack the Panthers 20-yard line. Matt Rhule’s defense is giving up touchdowns more than two-thirds of the time (67.6%). That ranks 26th in the league.’
NFL analysts | Bills vs. Panthers game predictions | Week 15
‘The Bills have a minus-five turnover margin — seventh worst in the NFL — in their past six games (2-4). They had a plus-13 margin in their first seven games (5-2), which led the NFL.’
What Bills fans need to know about the 2021 AFC playoff race | Week 15
‘On one side is the Patriots, the Bills’ sole competition in the AFC East. On the other, the Colts, one of the Bills’ main opponents in the wild card field. Either outcome would help the Bills in one respect and hurt in another.’
Bills vs. Panthers | How to watch, stream, and listen | Week 15
‘In addition to Buffalo and Charlotte, the game will be broadcast in Boston and parts of Wyoming among other markets.’
Bills great Harry Jacobs passed away at the age of 84
‘During Jacobs’ tenure in Buffalo, he played in 91 games, had eight interceptions and one fumble recovery. Even though sacks were not an official stat prior to 1982, according to Pro Football Reference, he racked up 11 sacks as a member of the Bills. Jacobs is the only player who played in the very first and the very last game in the American Football League and is one of only 20 players who played throughout the AFL’s 10-year existence (1960-69).’
Allen OK’d to start for Bills vs. Carolina
‘If the season ended today, the Bills would have a playoff spot but, and this is bizarre, there are scenarios in Week 15 where Buffalo could win Sunday and still be knocked out of the seven postseason qualifiers due to tiebreakers.’
Q&A: Bills linebacker Tyler Matakevich ready to face college coach
‘We were doing Oklahoma drills – I mean, you can’t do Oklahoma drills anymore, but back in the day, we could. We did Oklahoma and (I) made a big hit. And I think that sort explained itself. So we were definitely excited. And he brought me in when he was there after that. I mean, I was definitely bummed though, because it’s crazy. He found me when I was at Milford, and then when I actually got to Temple, he went to the Giants for a year. Then, the following year, he came back to take the head (coach) job. So it was like crazy emotions – excited, then sad, then excited again.’
Bills QB Josh Allen expected to start; tackle Dion Dawkins tests positive for Covid
‘Wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders (knee) was listed as doubtful on the injury report. McDermott said earlier Friday during a radio appearance on WGR550 that Sanders would not play, but Sanders was upgraded to doubtful. He did not practice this week.’
Josh Allen is good to go according to McDermott, but Dion Dawkins tests positive for COVID
‘“I’ll start with what the medical team has shared with me and that’s that they’re comfortable with where he’s at and he continues to trend in the right direction,” McDermott said. “And then what I’ve seen through my own eyes at practice, just (Thursday), he seems to be able to execute the job description that goes along with the quarterback position.”’