Buffalo Bills vs Carolina Panthers Match Player Stats On Sep 17, 2017

The Sports Xchange
Sep 17, 2017

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- The Carolina Panthers relied on relentless defense and three Graham Gano field goals in a 9-3 victory over the Buffalo Bills on Sunday afternoon at Bank of America Stadium.

The Bills (1-1) put together a potential winning drive, moving to the Carolina 32 in the final minute before an offensive pass interference penalty contributed to derailing the threat.

Bills quarterback Tyrod Taylor threw incomplete to rookie receiver Zay Jones, who was open at the Carolina 2 on fourth down with nine seconds left.

Carolina (2-0) had a chance to put the game away before Gano's 20-yard field goal with 2:35 remaining. The Panthers were set up at the 1-yard line following a pass interference penalty in the end zone, but three plays later ended up settling for three points on what was a 15-play, 73-yard drive.

The outcome spoiled the homecoming for first-year Bills head coach Sean McDermott, who spent the past six seasons as Carolina's defensive coordinator.

McDermott received reminders throughout the game about the strength of the defense that he constructed in his previous job. The Panthers haven't allowed a touchdown in two games.

Meanwhile, his defense was stout as well.

Carolina quarterback Cam Newton completed 20 of 32 passes for 228 yards.

Panthers wide receiver Kelvin Benjamin was the game's top receiver with 77 yards on six receptions.

Taylor was 17 of 25 for 125 yards through the air. He rushed for 55 yards on eight attempts.

Stephen Hauschka's 45-yard field goal with 11:09 remaining brought the Bills within 6-3.

Newton went down in the final minute of the third quarter when he was sacked for the sixth time. He eventually limped off the field but did not miss any snaps.

The Bills crossed into Carolina territory for the first time on their first drive of the second half. That ended on a failed fourth-and-1 conversion from the Panthers 44.

Buffalo running back LeSean McCoy, who rushed for 110 yards in the opener, was limited to 9 yards on 12 carries.

The Bills were held to one first down in the first half, but trailed only 6-0 at the break.

Carolina opened the scoring on Gano's 34-yard field goal to conclude the game's first possession. Gano hit a 28-yarder with 2:02 left in the second quarter for the only other scoring in the first half, completing a 10-play drive.

NOTES: The Panthers lost TE Greg Olsen to a first-half injured right foot. ... Panthers C Ryan Kalil (sore neck) did not play and was replaced Tyler Larsen. ... Bills DT Marcell Dareus departed in the first quarter with an ankle injury, but returned later in the half. ... The Bills allowed only 38 rushing yards in the opener against the New York Jets, but the Panthers racked up 50 in the first quarter Sunday. ... Bills FB Mike Tolbert, playing against a team with which he earned a pair of Pro Bowl distinctions, had three rushes for 5 yards Sunday. ... With K Graham Gano winning the kicking job, the Panthers waived K Harrison Butker, but then assigned him to the practice squad when he cleared waivers. ... The Bills are home next Sunday against Denver. ... The Panthers face the visiting New Orleans Saints next week.