{"id":47134,"date":"2018-08-12T08:13:55","date_gmt":"2018-08-12T12:13:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lwosonnfl.ms.lastwordonsports.com\/?p=47134"},"modified":"2021-05-30T21:32:31","modified_gmt":"2021-05-31T01:32:31","slug":"carolina-panthers-vs-buffalo-bills-rapid-recap","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/2018\/08\/12\/carolina-panthers-vs-buffalo-bills-rapid-recap\/","title":{"rendered":"Carolina Panthers vs Buffalo Bills: Rapid Recap"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonprofootball.com\/nfl-teams\/panthers\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Carolina Panthers<\/a> played their first preseason game on Thursday and it was against a very familiar team in the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonprofootball.com\/nfl-teams\/bills\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Buffalo Bills<\/a>. They are familiar because the Bills have quite a few ex-Panthers players and have former defensive coordinator <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/M\/McDeSe20.htm?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Sean McDermott<\/a><\/strong> as their head coach. For a preseason game, this was a highly anticipated matchup largely in part thanks to <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/B\/BenjKe00.htm?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Kelvin Benjamin<\/a>&#8216;s<\/strong> comments about <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/search\/search.fcgi?pid=NewtCa00,NewtCa20&amp;search=Cam+Newton&amp;utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Cam Newton<\/a> <\/strong>to the media earlier this week. Who doesn&#8217;t love a little preseason drama?<\/p>\n<h1><strong>Carolina Panthers 28 &#8211; 23 Buffalo Bills<\/strong><\/h1>\n<h3>The Pregame Encounter<\/h3>\n<p>After Benjamin&#8217;s comments earlier in the week calling the Panthers a &#8220;bad fit from the start&#8221; and blaming Newton for the slow start to his career, everyone&#8217;s eyes were going to be on the two players. The two met during pregame warmups as Newton approached Benjamin on the Buffalo side of the field. It looks as if the encounter did not go so well, which was expected. You can judge for yourself:<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\">Cam Newton shares words with Bill&#8217;s Kelvin Benjamin video by <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/jsiner?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">@jsiner<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/keeppounding?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">#keeppounding<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/THqZybFLpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">pic.twitter.com\/THqZybFLpg<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Matt Walsh (@MWalshMedia) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/MWalshMedia\/status\/1027678996190953479?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">August 9, 2018<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>But it wasn&#8217;t all awkward during pregame warmups. Benjamin excluded, plenty of former teammates and coaches reunited with each other in good faith.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\">A happy reunion between Star and the LBs <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/aSKLKKhhlz\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">pic.twitter.com\/aSKLKKhhlz<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Carolina Panthers (@Panthers) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/Panthers\/status\/1027671754662064128?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">August 9, 2018<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<h3>Scoring Summary<\/h3>\n<h4>First Quarter<\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li>The Bills started second-year quarterback <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/P\/PeteNa00.htm?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Nathan Peterman<\/a><\/strong> and he\u00a0got off to a hot start connecting with Benjamin for a touchdown in their first offensive possession.<\/li>\n<li>Panthers running back <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/M\/McCaCh01.htm?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Christian McCaffrey<\/a> <\/strong>capped off a nine-play drive scoring on a 2-yard rush towards the end of the first quarter.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h4>Second Quarter<\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li>Bills kicker <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/H\/HausSt00.htm?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Steven Hauschka<\/a><\/strong> connected on a 26-yard field goal halfway through the second quarter.<\/li>\n<li>Bills third-year running back <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/M\/MurpMa03.htm?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Marcus Murphy<\/a><\/strong> rushed for a touchdown\u00a0right before the half ended giving the Bills a 17-7 lead going into halftime.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h4>Third Quarter<\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li>Panthers second-string\u00a0quarterback <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/G\/GilbGa01.htm?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Garrett Gilbert<\/a><\/strong> threw an absolute dime to <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/F\/FrazMo00.htm?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Mose Frazier<\/a><\/strong> who found the end zone on a 26-yard pass.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h4>Fourth Quarter<\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li>Panthers newest running back <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/A\/AndeC.00.htm?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">C.J. Anderson<\/a><\/strong> capped off a long 13-play drive with a 4-yard touchdown run giving the Panthers their first lead, 21-17.<\/li>\n<li>Panthers third-string quarterback <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/H\/HeinTa00.htm?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Taylor Heinicke<\/a><\/strong> led an impressive drive and finished with a 21-yard touchdown pass to running back <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/H\/HoodEl00.htm?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Elijah Hood<\/a><\/strong>.<\/li>\n<li>Bills first-round pick quarterback <strong>Josh Allen <\/strong>connected with Ray-Ray McCloud III on a 14-yard touchdown pass. The two-point conversion was no good and the Bills failed to recover their onside kick attempt.<\/li>\n<li>Final score: Panthers 28 Bills 23.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>Quick Takeaways<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>Despite sputtering in their first possession, the Panthers first-string offense bounced back and looked good in the first quarter.<\/li>\n<li>Cornerback <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/S\/SeymKe00.htm?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Kevon Seymour<\/a> <\/strong>had a long day, figuratively and literally. The cornerback got burnt on a few different occasions including the touchdown to Benjamin early. Seymour saw snaps all the way up until the third quarter, which isn&#8217;t good in a preseason opener.<\/li>\n<li>Rookie wide receiver <strong>D.J. Moore<\/strong> looked as good as advertised finishing with 75 receiving yards on four receptions and made a couple nice open field jukes.<\/li>\n<li>Heinicke had the best game of all the quarterbacks going 7-9, 121 passing yards and one touchdown. He most certainly put a lot of pressure on Gilbert for the second-string quarterback position race.<\/li>\n<li>Second-year wide receiver<strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/S\/SamuCu00.htm?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Curtis Samuel<\/a><\/strong> picked up right where he left off last season before his injury. Samuel was consistently getting open and finished with four receptions and 45 receiving yards.<\/li>\n<li>Rookie linebacker <strong>Jermaine Carter<\/strong> continues to impress this summer. Carter had a terrific debut, recording a sack, tackle for loss and four tackles. On the other side, <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/M\/MayoDa00.htm?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">David Mayo<\/a><\/strong> struggled and missed a few tackles which may move Carter ahead of him in the depth chart.<\/li>\n<li><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/T\/ThomSh01.htm?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Shaq Thompson<\/a><\/strong> has been impressive in coverage all training camp and continued the trend as he recorded an interception in Thursday&#8217;s game.<\/li>\n<li>Fourth-year guard <strong>Greg Van-Roten<\/strong> got the start at left guard and played very well. Rookie <strong>Brendan Mahon<\/strong> also played well with the second unit which has to be reassuring after the injury to <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/S\/SilaAm00.htm?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Amini Silatolu<\/a><\/strong> earlier this week.<\/li>\n<li>Offensive tackle <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/K\/KaliMa00.htm?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Matt Kalil<\/a><\/strong> did not have the best of games in pass protection which is something to keep an eye on.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>Injury Report<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>Rookie linebacker <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/search\/search.fcgi?pid=SmitAn23,SmitAn02&amp;search=Andre+Smith&amp;utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Andre Smith<\/a><\/strong> pulled his hamstring and had to exit the game.<\/li>\n<li>Safety <strong>Damian Parms<\/strong> left the game with a shoulder injury.<\/li>\n<li>Cornerback <strong>LaDarius Gunter<\/strong> left the game and entered concussion protocol.<\/li>\n<li>Center<strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/K\/KaliRy20.htm?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Ryan Kalil<\/a><\/strong> (healthy scratch), linebacker <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/J\/JacoBe00.htm?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Ben Jacobs<\/a> <\/strong>(groin), guard <strong>Jerimiah Sirles<\/strong> (undisclosed), defensive end <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/P\/PeppJu99.htm?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Julius Peppers<\/a><\/strong> (shoulder) and wide receiver <strong>Fred Ross<\/strong> (hip) all did not dress for Thursday&#8217;s game.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Main photo:<br \/>\n<a id=\"XG62fwLXR5xRD-TEzD7zCA\" class=\"gie-single\" style=\"color: #a7a7a7; text-decoration: none; font-weight: normal !important; border: none; display: inline-block;\" href=\"http:\/\/www.gettyimages.com\/detail\/1014201606\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Embed from Getty Images<\/a><script>window.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'XG62fwLXR5xRD-TEzD7zCA',sig:'nwPY9A5FoT2EkPLqZ1Db0pOeI8b9I7fQe4aPe9xMsdw=',w:'594px',h:'396px',items:'1014201606',caption: true ,tld:'com',is360: false })});<\/script><script src='\/\/embed-cdn.gettyimages.com\/widgets.js' charset='utf-8' async><\/script><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Oddly enough, this game was more anticipated than most NFL preseason games. Here is a rapid recap of the Carolina Panthers &#8211; Buffalo Bills game that took place Thursday. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2490,"featured_media":47169,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","sfio_featured_image":false,"sfio_embed_code":"","_ef_editorial_meta_date_first-draft-date":"","_ef_editorial_meta_paragraph_assignment":"","_ef_editorial_meta_checkbox_needs-photo":"","_ef_editorial_meta_number_word-count":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[30,3,54],"tags":[177,367,329,61,2599],"class_list":["post-47134","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-panthers","category-bills","category-editorials","tag-buffalo-bills","tag-cam-newton","tag-carolina-panthers","tag-football","tag-josh-allen"],"modified_by":"David Latham, Managing Editor","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/47134","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2490"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=47134"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/47134\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/47169"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=47134"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=47134"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=47134"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}