Bills face confident Panthers team coming off bye-week.
What’s been the Bills biggest issue the past two games? It’s two biggest offensive weapons Josh Allen and James Cook production has been average at best. Josh Allen has (5) of the Bills last (6) turnovers. “I need to be better” says Allen. Offensively through the first six games of the season things haven’t been consistent, James Cook has been able to shoulder the load with 537 rushing yards and 5 touchdowns. Kincaid leads the team in receiving yards (287) but that is only ranked 58th in the NFL. Khalil Shakir leads the team in catches (25) which ranks 49th in the NFL. There are 10 NFL Teams that have 2 WR with more catches than the Bills leader in catches, there are 7 NFL Teams that have 3 WR with more catches than the Bills leader in receptions.
This Bills team with the weapons they have, should not struggling to move move the ball. The first four games of the season the Bills were putting up 30 points or better while play sloppy at times. Hot and cold spurts but reigning MVP Josh Allen has been able to put on his cape and led Bills to victory, in the last two games Bills haven’t been much successful scoring points. In the Bills four victories the teams they have beaten have a combined record of (3-24).
Defense is in need of some serious adjusting, they’re basically last in rushing yards allowed and last on 3rd efficiency, Carolina not only beat the Falcons 30-0, but are on a winning streak of their own. Not saying that they would win this Sunday, especially without Starting QB Bryce Young this Bills Defense needs to play with some aggression as well as the proper fundamentals Coach McDermott always preaches.
Welcome Back Larry Ogunjobi and Micheal Hoecht their fresh presence could definitely an ailing defense front. Could All-Pro Safety Jordan Poyer get some playing time? I think it time to let the savvy veteran get an opportunity to teach on the fly, whatever he got in the tank I’ll take that. Cole Bishop has made some plays but needs to be consistent. Taylor Rapp has too much experience to be playing like a backup because of poor fundamentals.
The Bills have won the team’s last 10 games following a bye, marking the NFL’s longest active streak and second-longest since the bye week started in 1990. Plus Josh Allen never lost three consecutive games. here’s Allen’s stats (25 PPG) 275 yards PPG, 15 Touchdowns to only 2 interceptions with a (100.8 passer rating).
Overall I think the Bills are Resilient enough to play with a sense of urgency and make plays it will be very interesting to see them up against the rushing combination of Hubbard and Dowdle, with Rookie Wr Tetairoa McMillan and Xavier Legette. Panthers defense did have 6 sacks and 2 interceptions vs the New York Jets in a 13-6 win last week. Andy Dalton will be filling in for Young , so Bills must apply some pressure to create turnovers. It’ll once again come down to stops and making plays. 33-27 Bills.
-Muki Hawkins
