The Buffalo Bills are fortunate to lead the Carolina Panthers 19-3 at halftime, thanks almost exclusively to the efforts of running back James Cook and defensive end A.J. Epenesa. Cook and Buffalo’s run-blocking
offensive line put together a half for the ages, piling up the most rushing yards in a half so far this season. It’s also the most rushing yards in a half by any Bills player since the great Hall of Fame running back in the 1992 NFL season. That’s incredible company, folks.
Cook took 12 carries for 153 yards and a touchdown, which were more yards than he’s run for in any previous full game this season.
Yet, it still felt as though offensive coordinator failed to fully understand the assignment. Incredibly, Cook had zero looks and less catches in the passing game. Why? What reason can one give for ignoring Cook as a receiving outlet? And to do such things today, of all games?
Furthermore, there should be no reason for a healthy Cook to spend almost the entirety of any drive on the sideline, yet that’s exactly what happened about halfway through the second quarter. To little surprise, the running game sputtered, the offense failed to convert, and the Bills punted the ball away.
That must have woken up Brady, who went back to Cook’s powerful day. The result was the second-longest touchdown run of his young career. The Panthers have no answer for Cook. Again, zero answer for Cook, but plenty of answers for Buffalo’s other running backs… and then there’s the passing game.
Folks, it sucks. All of it.
It’s time to have some conversations about the 2025 edition Josh Allen’s play, and we will (I may have been holding a piece for a more complete set of data to explore). This isn’t the space to dive into it as needed, but Allen looks awful.
Early in action, Allen was once again off the mark, throwing low often and taking bail-outs in the form of wide receiver screens (mostly to Khalil Shakir). Failing those, looks downfield were terrible, with throws high (thankfully tight end Dalton Kincaid caught an errant toss), wide, and otherwise. Thankfully, Andy Dalton is playing the role of a similarly terrible quarterback.
This game almost feels out of range for the Panthers, but we know better than to claim expectations of the 2025 Bills. That’s why they play two halves (and sometimes more quarters). With that, here’s your open thread for the rest of today’s Bills-Panthers game. As always, be kind to one another — and in all things… Go Bills!
Bills at Panthers Week 8 halftime stats (courtesy of NFLGSIS)
