Bills Top Panthers 29-14 Behind Josh Allen’s Fast Start

The Buffalo Bills defeated the Carolina Panthers 29-14 on Saturday in an NFL preseason game, with Josh Allen’s sharp 6-of-8, 111-yard, one-touchdown opening performance giving Buffalo an early edge at Highmark Stadium.

Before 58,516 fans in Orchard Park, the Bills controlled the scoreboard from the opening quarter and used a 13-point fourth period to turn a competitive preseason test into a 15-point final margin. Buffalo moved to 1-0 with the win, while Carolina fell to 1-1.

The Bills established control early, taking a 10-0 lead after the first quarter. Carolina answered with its only points of the first half in the second quarter, but Buffalo added a field goal to carry a 13-7 advantage into halftime. The home team then extended its lead with another third-quarter field goal before both clubs found the end zone during a busy final quarter.

Carolina’s seven fourth-quarter points kept the Panthers engaged, but Buffalo matched that score and added six more to finish with 13 points in the period. The Bills’ ability to add points in each of the final three quarters was a positive sign in a preseason setting, where execution, depth and situational consistency matter as much as the result.

Key Performers

Josh Allen set the offensive tone for Buffalo with a clean 6/8, 111 YDS, 1 TD passing line. The veteran quarterback was efficient in his limited preseason work, completing 75 percent of his throws and producing the game’s top passing total. The provided game data did not list an interception for Allen.

Ian Wheeler led the Bills on the ground with 7 CAR, 41 YDS, 1 TD. His 5.9 yards per carry and rushing touchdown gave Buffalo useful production from its backfield as the offense worked through its preseason rotation.

DJ Moore was Buffalo’s receiving-yardage leader, posting 3 REC, 61 YDS. Moore averaged more than 20 yards per catch, supplying an efficient downfield element to the Bills’ passing attack even without a receiving touchdown in the listed leaders.

NerdSports Stat: Buffalo scored in all four quarters and finished with a 16-7 scoring advantage after halftime.

For Carolina, the encouraging takeaway was its ability to answer Buffalo’s opening surge with a second-quarter touchdown and add another score late. Still, the Panthers were held scoreless in the first and third quarters, leaving too much ground to make up against a Bills team that consistently added points.

This was preseason football, so the final score matters less than the evaluation tape, but Buffalo’s first-team efficiency and late-game scoring depth offered plenty to build on. The Bills will look to carry that rhythm into their next preseason matchup, while the Panthers will focus on finding more sustained offensive production before the regular-season picture comes into view.

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