Bills’ victory overshadowed by potentially devastating injury, plus other takeaways from Week 8 win against the Carolina Panthers
A huge win for Buffalo, overshadowed by a potentially devastating loss for the defense moving forward.
The Buffalo Bills were red-hot during their win over the Carolina Panthers in Week 8. Quarterback Josh Allen wasn’t Superman, but didn’t need to be. Running back James Cook stole the show with his impressive, record-breaking performance, and the defense came to play.
Speaking of the defense, the victory was a bit overshadowed by a potentially devastating injury to defensive tackle Ed Oliver. Oliver was immediately ruled out of the contest with a biceps injury, and his status for the rest of the season remains unclear. Oliver is a monster on the defensive line and even got a sack during the first series, making an impact early and often.
Here are our biggest takeaways from the Bills’ 40-9 victory over the Carolina Panthers.
Josh Allen makes history, again
Allen looked a little off to begin the game, but wound up finding his footing and making NFL history along the way. With two rushing touchdowns and a passing touchdown, Allen passed quarterback Cam Newton for the most games with a rushing and passing touchdown in NFL history.
Allen is now tied with Newton for the most rushing touchdowns, including playoffs, by a quarterback in NFL history. It is quite the accomplishment from No. 17, even bringing a smile to his face, which his grandmother is sure to love.
The reigning MVP finished his day going 12-for-19 with 163 yards and a touchdown while adding three carries for seven yards and two touchdowns on the ground.
James Cook was cooking
Cook is elite, and his performance against the Panthers was just further proof. The electric running back finished his day with 19 carries for 216 yards and two touchdowns, which was a career-high in yards. As Buffalo Bills PR reported, Cook is the third Bills player all-time to have 214 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns in a game.
Anytime Cook touched the ball, he could take it the distance. He was undoubtedly the MVP of the contest after some head-scratching decisions regarding his utilization in the losses to the New England Patriots and Atlanta Falcons.
Defense, take a bow
Rookie first-round pick Maxwell Hairston saw his first NFL action and looked great throughout the contest, even in limited snaps. Another rookie got some time to shine in safety Jordan Hancock, who made a beautiful open-field tackle.
The entire defensive front deserves its flowers for what they did to quarterback Andy Dalton, bringing him down for seven sacks.
Defensive ends Greg Rousseau, Joey Bosa, and A.J. Epenesa all recorded a sack. Defensive tackle Jordan Phillips and Oliver got in on the fun with a sack each as well. Defensive end Michael Hoecht earned a sack and a half, and defensive tackle Deone Walker earned a half sack himself.
If anyone was wondering how Hoecht would look on the Bills’ defense, he answered that question in a big way with his performance.
Not only that, but Buffalo forced a handful of turnovers, creating three fumbles while recovering two of them and intercepting Andy Dalton. There were plenty of questions heading into the game about how the defense would respond after some tough losses, and the team put on perhaps its greatest performance of the season, outside of the game against the Jets.
With Allen making history, Cook dominating on the ground, and the defense forcing turnovers, the Bills reminded everyone why they’re still among the AFC’s most dangerous teams. If they can stay healthy and get clarity on Oliver’s status, Buffalo could be heating up at the right time.
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