.jpg)
4 hours ago
2
The Buffalo Bills had a lot of eyes on them entering Week 8 with Sean McDermott's team on a two-game losing streak and facing the plucky Carolina Panthers on the road.
But a 40-9 curb-stomping of Dave Canales' team reminded everyone that Buffalo is still "Buffalo," well, at least in the second half.
The first was a little up-and-down with the Bills leading 19-3 at halftime, but the offense put its foot on the throat of the Panthers, scoring 21 points in the third quarter to put the game out of reach as the Bills then cruised to their fifth win of the year.
And for CBS Sports' John Breech, he's given Buffalo an "A" grade for their performance.
"No team is better after a bye week than the Bills and they proved it in this game,” Breech wrote. “During their week off, it seems they realized how valuable James Cook is because they unleashed him against the Panthers. The Bills didn't look like a Super Bowl contender during their two-game losing streak, but they just destroyed a feisty Panthers team. It's probably safe to say that this team is back.”
More: Bills' James Cook gives incredible gut-punch to Panthers defense after win
The Bills "back" narrative to be tested vs. Chiefs
We will find out in Week 9 whether Buffalo is truly "back" when the Kansas City Chiefs come to Highmark Stadium.
The Bills have had their way with the Chiefs in the regular season, but when it really counts, Kansas City ends Buffalo's season in the playoffs, winning the last four.
So, there is a lot to prove for the Bills, and entering the season, they were many people's Super Bowl favorites and had the unenviable narrative of "no one cares what you do in the regular season," with playoffs the only thing people care about.
But beating the Chiefs will ram home the thought that the Bills are back. Lose, though, and maybe the Panthers' win was fool's gold.
English (US)