Dec 19, 2021; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Buffalo Bills wide receiver Stefon Diggs (14) celebrates his touchdown catch against the Carolina Panthers during the first half at Highmark Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports
Josh Allen threw for three touchdowns and the Buffalo Bills largely relied on defense for a much-needed victory, defeating the visiting Carolina Panthers 31-14 on Sunday afternoon in Orchard Park, N.Y.
Allen was 19-of-34 passing for 210 yards and an interception, though he was sacked four times.
Devin Singletary rushed for 86 yards on 22 carries with a touchdown for Buffalo (8-6), which won for just the third time in its past seven games.
The Panthers (5-9) have lost four consecutive games, all since Cam Newton became the starting quarterback. He was 18-of-38 passing for 156 yards with a touchdown and an interception. He also scored on a touchdown run, and he picked up 71 yards on 15 rushes.
Carolina managed just 275 yards of total offense.
Allen’s 20-yard touchdown pass to Gabriel Davis helped stretch Buffalo’s lead to 24-8 in the third quarter.
The Panthers had their second touchdown drive of less than 45 yards to cut the margin, with Ameer Abdullah turning Newton’s short pass into a 23-yard scoring play with 11:07 remaining. Newton’s attempt on a two-point conversion run failed, leaving the score at 24-14.
Allen’s 14-yard pass play to Gabriel Davis on fourth-and-2 gave Buffalo its final touchdown just before the two-minute warning.
The Bills opened the scoring on Singletary’s 16-yard run in the first minute of the second quarter. Allen hooked up with Stefon Diggs for an 11-yard touchdown play less than five minutes later.
The Panthers got going following Jeremy Chinn’s interception of Allen, setting up Carolina at the Buffalo 37-yard line.
Newton ran in from 4 yards out before throwing a two-point conversion pass to DJ Moore at the 1:54 mark of the second half to make the score 14-8.
The Bills responded with Tyler Bass’ 26-yard field goal with five seconds left in the half.
The Panthers were in a bind because kicker Zane Gonzalez wasn’t available after suffering a pregame injury. Trailing 24-8 in the third quarter, the Panthers didn’t have much choice but to try to extend their drive when reaching the Buffalo 10, where a fourth-and-5 play resulted in an incomplete pass.
On Carolina’s second possession of the game, the Panthers made it to the Buffalo 24 and didn’t score.
–Field Level Media