.jpg)
10 hours ago
1
The Buffalo Bills' 40-9 win over the Carolina Panthers was one Sean McDermott's unit had to have.
It didn't matter how the Bills won, or by how much, as long as they did, and after a poor first half, Buffalo clicked into gear in the third quarter, piling on 21 unanswered points to put the game out of reach.
The defense turned out its best performance of the year (against Carolina, though, but still), and the offense didn't answer any of the questions plaguing them before the game, which is odd considering Joe Brady's unit scored 40 points.
For NFL.com Eric Edholm, in his latest power rankings, the Bills stay put at No. 9, even after a 40-9 win, which likely tells you all you need to know about how Buffalo really played.
"That was a great way to come out of the bye, with the Bills turning in their finest defensive performance this season," Edholm writes. "Buffalo's offensive issues weren’t all suddenly fixed, but James Cook was so good that it didn’t matter."
More: Bills coach speaks on yet another down showing from Keon Coleman
Bills face measuring-stick game vs. Chiefs
Getting back on the right side of the ledger was important, but now all eyes will be on Week 9 and the visit of a Kansas City Chiefs team that looks more terrifying with each passing week.
Having laid a beatdown on the Washington Commanders to the tune of a 28-7 win, the Bills' defense, which improved out of sight against Carolina, will get its biggest test of the year.
Also, the Buffalo offense, which, aside from James Cook, is 216 yards and two touchdowns against the Panthers, is still very much a work in progress; there will be nowhere to hide against the Chiefs' suffocating unit.
The win was good for the mentality of Buffalo, but now comes its ultimate bogeyman.
English (US)