Buffalo kicked off their preseason with a bang, dropping the Carolina Panthers 29-14 in what was the *first game ever* at the new Highmark Stadium. What an afternoon it sounds like, a total picture-perfect vibe for a win that’s already got people talking about who’s looking sharp and who’s got work to do early in the season.
The Starters Showed Up and Showed Out
Man, you know how much buzz there’s been about Josh Allen and D.J. Moore linking up? Well, it wasn’t just talk! That chemistry was undeniable right from the jump in their preseason debut. Allen hit Moore three times for 61 yards, including a sick 32-yard gain on their very first target connection. Allen wasn’t messing around, leading two scoring drives, going 6 of 8 for 111 yards and a touchdown. And what a TD it was! He found Keon Coleman with a nine-yard strike, navigating pressure like a total pro and letting Coleman find a gap in coverage. That nine-yarder wasn’t just any score, either, it was the first touchdown in the shiny new Highmark Stadium! Khalil Shakir snagged both his targets for 41 yards, and James Cook got five carries for 21 yards. The starting offense was out there for two series, and they absolutely showed out.
Defense Flexed, Rookies Shined
But it wasn’t just the offense doing the heavy lifting. The defense was straight-up relentless! Defensive tackle Deone Walker was a total beast, constantly disrupting the backfield, racking up three tackles, a sack, and a quarterback hurry. Talk about making a statement early! On the offensive side, Ray Davis accounted for 53 yards from scrimmage with four catches for 32 yards and three rushes for 21 yards, while backfield mate Ian Wheeler rumbled for 41 yards on seven carries, punching in a touchdown. Defensive back Jordan Hancock was all over the field with four stops and two tackles for a loss. Outside linebacker Mike Danna brought the heat with a pair of sacks. Rookie edge rusher T.J. Parker grabbed a sack himself, looking totally comfortable in Jim Leonhard’s defense right away. And shoutout to backup QB Kyle Allen, who was super efficient, going 14 of 16 (87.5%) for 108 yards in relief of Josh Allen. Plus, undrafted rookie corner Kani Walker is already making plays, picking off a fourth-quarter pass by totally anticipating the throw. This kid is making a name for himself, no doubt.
This preseason opener was a statement. The starters looked sharp, the new guys stepped up big, and some serious defensive talent emerged. You gotta wonder how much more of that Allen-Moore connection we’re gonna see and if these defensive playmakers keep this pace. It’s only preseason, but the Bills look like they’re building something special, and it’s gonna be wild to see what they bring to the field next.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Buffalo Rumblings.
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