Buffalo Rumblinks, 10/25: Previewing Bills at Panthers

Plus, yet another key contributor on defense is placed on injured reserve,

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What is the story about?

The Buffalo Bills (4-2) have only lost three consecutive games once during head coach Sean McDermott’s tenure, in 2017, during his first season as Buffalo’s head coach. Those Bills bounced back from the three-game slide to win four of their last six games and sneak into the playoffs, snapping a 17-year playoff drought.

This year’s Bills team has loftier goals than the 2017 squad, and they’re seeking their sixth straight AFC East division title. In the last five years, Buffalo has endured a two-game

losing streak at some point during the season before claiming the AFC East crown, but in each case, the Bills found a way to halt their skid before it extended to three games.

Today’s edition of Buffalo Rumblinks leads off by examining the key matchups to watch and positional analysis as the Bills look to get back in the win column against the Carolina Panthers.

Bills vs. Panthers storylines to watch

During his brilliant start to his NFL career, Josh Allen has never lost a game coming out of the team’s bye week, winning all seven contests since coming into the NFL as the No. 7 overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft. Allen will put that perfect record on the line Sunday afternoon, when he leads the Bills into Charlotte to face the surprising and surging Carolina Panthers (4-3), who have won three straight following a 1-3 start to the season.

Linked below: Breaking down the key storylines to watch, including how successful James Cook and Buffalo’s ground game will be against a Panthers’ defense that hasn’t allowed a run longer than eight yards during its three-game win streak. Plus, exploring how Buffalo’s run defense will be tested by Carolina’s 1-2 combo of Rico Dowdle and Chuba Hubbard; how Carolina’s offense will differ with backup Andy Dalton running the show; how Josh Allen and the Bills will look for passing success outside the numbers and through screen passes; and how the return of defensive linemen Michael Hoecht and Larry Ogunjobi will provide a boost to a battered Buffalo defense.

Safety Taylor Rapp placed on IR

Starting safety Taylor Rapp, who has dealt with a lingering knee injury since training camp but has not missed any games, was placed on the Injured Reserve ahead of Sunday’s game against the Carolina Panthers.

Even more Bills news

Former Bills special teams standout Steve Tasker advances to the next round of considerations for enshrinement in the Pro Football Hall of Fame; plus, the latest trade rumors involving the Bills and find out which uniforms Buffalo will wear for Week 8 in Carolina.