Coming off their bye week, the Buffalo Bills (5-2) got a dominant performance from their defense, forcing three turnovers and sacking Carolina Panthers quarterback Andy Dalton seven times while holding an opponent to a season-low nine points in an emphatic, get-right 40-9 victory Sunday afternoon.
Today’s edition of Buffalo Rumblinks offers up lasting thoughts and observations from Buffalo’s big road win over Carolina, including giving credit to a pair of defensive linemen in their first season with
the Bills who stepped up in a big way on Sunday, and how the Bills received solid production from a pair of rookies in the secondary.
Final thoughts: Buffalo’s win over Carolina
The Bills banged-up defensive line needed a boost on Sunday, and they got one when defensive end Michael Hoecht and defensive tackle Larry Ogunjobi were activated before the Week 8 contest. Hoecht was a nightmare matchup for the Panthers, recording 1.5 sacks with three tackles (one for a loss), six quarterback pressures, two QB hits and a forced fumble. Ogunjobi provided a lift up the middle, helping limit Carolina’s potent rushing duo of Chuba Hubbard and Rico Dowdle to 88 combined yards on 20 carries.
On Carolina’s first eight possessions, the Bills forced three punts, recovered two fumbles, picked off quarterback Andy Dalton, forced a missed field goal and allowed one field goal in racing out to a 40-3 lead through three quarters. Buffalo’s defensive line took center stage, as seven different players recorded at least half a sack, marking the first such game for a Bills defense since a 2021 contest vs. the New York Jets.
Linked below, read how Hoecht and Ogunjobi provided an instant spark in their first game with the Bills; learn how rookie defensive backs Maxwell Hairston and Jordan Hancock earned both solid grades and the trust of head coach Sean McDermott; analysis of James Cook’s awesome rushing effort, including going off for 153 yards in the opening half; and more!
- Upon Further Review: How Michael Hoecht, Larry Ogunjobi paid immediate dividends in their Bills debut – Buffalo News (subscription required)
- How two Bills’ free-agent DL additions came off suspension and to the rescue – Sports Illustrated Buffalo Bills
- Rookies Maxwell Hairston, Jordan Hancock grade out well in their first defensive action for Bills – Buffalo News (subscription required)
- Bills rookies earning trust of Sean McDermott according to Week 8 snap counts – Sports Illustrated Buffalo Bills
- Bills first-round pick Maxwell Hairston makes his NFL debut: ‘He brought his own talent’ – Buffalo News (subscription required)
- Top 3 things we learned from Bills vs. Panthers – BuffaloBills.com
- OPINION: SIMON: James Cook Was Definitely Cooking – WGR 550
- Cook helps the Bills find a winning recipe, crush Panthers – WGRZ
- Bills’ RB James Cook named among biggest winners after Week 8 explosion – Sports Illustrated Buffalo Bills
- What They’re Saying | Reactions to James Cook III’s record-setting performance against Carolina – BuffaloBills.com
- Barnwell makes sense of a blowout-filled Week 8: One key takeaway from each of Sunday’s 11 games – ESPN.com
- Three questions after the Buffalo Bills demolish the Carolina Panthers – Buffalo News (subscription required)
- Cook’s career day overshadows deficiencies in Bills’ passing attack. DT Oliver out with torn bicep – Newsday
- Eric Wood: Breaking Down The Bills 40-9 Win Over The Panthers – BuffaloBills.com
- Sean McDermott: “Focus On How We Can Grow As A Football Team” | BuffaloBills.com
- No Taylor Rapp … no Damar Hamlin … old friend Jordan Poyer ‘just excited’ to step into Bills’ lineup – Buffalo News (subscription required)
- Alan Pergament: Fox analyst Greg Olsen shows why his demotion in favor of Brady remains controversial – Buffalo News (subscription required)
Ed Oliver out indefinitely with torn bicep muscle
On Monday, head coach delivered the news Bills fans were dreading: that talented defensive tackle Ed Oliver had suffered a torn biceps muscle and is expected to be “out indefinitely” with an injury that will require surgery.
- Bills defensive tackle Ed Oliver out indefinitely with torn bicep muscle – Buffalo News (subscription required)
- Bills DT Oliver has torn biceps, out indefinitely – ESPN.com Buffalo Bills blog
- Bills star Ed Oliver to have surgery on torn biceps, out indefinitely – The Athletic (subscription required)
- NFL news roundup: Bills DT Ed Oliver out indefinitely with torn bicep – NFL.com
- Sean McDermott, Brandon Beane ‘get together’ trying to solve Bills’ DT shortage – Sports Illustrated Buffalo Bills
- Ed Oliver injury: Bills star DT out indefinitely after suffering torn biceps against Panthers, per report – CBS Sports
- Bills Receive Brutal Injury News on Ed Oliver – Newsweek
Buffalo Bills articles recently featured on Buffalo Rumblings
- Bills DT Ed Oliver “out indefinitely” due to injury – Buffalo Rumblings
- Penalties pose no problem as Bills pounce on Panthers – Buffalo Rumblings
- Bills RB James Cook stole the show in Week 8 despite limited snaps – Buffalo Rumblings
- Bills should do everything possible to trade for Brian Thomas Jr. – Buffalo Rumblings
