Bills Top Panthers in Hard-Fought Road Victory

CHARLOTTE, NC — The Buffalo Bills overcame a valiant effort by the Carolina Panthers to secure a 31-20 victory at Bank of America Stadium. Quarterback Josh Allen led the charge for Buffalo, combining a balanced offensive performance with critical defensive plays to leave Charlotte with the win.

Game Recap

Buffalo struck early with Josh Allen showcasing his dual-threat capabilities, rushing for a touchdown in the opening quarter and later connecting with running back James Cook for a 65-yard score in the third quarter. “James has that breakaway speed,” Allen said. “It’s a weapon we’re going to keep using.”

The Panthers were led by a sharp performance from second-year quarterback Bryce Young, who completed 24 of 31 passes for 230 yards and two touchdowns, including a 51-yard strike to wide receiver Diontae Johnson. “We were in it for most of the game, but we just missed a few key opportunities,” Johnson said.

In the fourth quarter, Buffalo’s defense sealed the game when linebacker Edefuan Ulofoshio scooped up a fumble and returned it 25 yards for a touchdown. “We pride ourselves on making big plays when it matters,” Ulofoshio said.

Carolina kept it close with reliable kicker Jake Bates converting both of his field goal attempts, including a 47-yarder, but they couldn’t find enough momentum to match Buffalo’s scoring output.

Key Stats

Josh Allen completed 16 of 31 passes for 197 yards and two touchdowns while adding a rushing score. Running back James Cook led the team with 81 rushing yards and also contributed four catches for 76 receiving yards and a touchdown. Wide receiver Khalil Shakir added six receptions for 42 yards and a touchdown.

For the Panthers, Bryce Young had an impressive outing with 230 passing yards and two touchdowns. Diontae Johnson was the star of Carolina’s offense, recording five receptions for 101 yards and two touchdowns. Running back Jabari Brooks chipped in with 67 rushing yards on 16 carries.

Defensively, the Bills were led by Kaiir Elam, who had four tackles and two passes defended. Carolina’s Derrick Rose forced a fumble that set up a late scoring opportunity.

Injuries

Neither team reported injuries during the game.

Up Next

The Bills (2-0) will return home to host the Pittsburgh Steelers in an AFC showdown. The Panthers (1-1) will hit the road to face the Miami Dolphins in an interconference clash.