Week 2: Bills vs. Panthers
at
Sunday, Sept. 17th
1:00pm ET
The Bills head down to Carolina for their first road game of the year as Brandon Beane and Sean McDermott return home. This opponent will be a much tougher one than the Jets were on opening day as the Bills strive to go 2-0 in the new era.

FACTS AND FIGURES

Matchup: Buffalo (1-0) vs. Carolina (1-0)
Place: Bank of America Stadium
TV/Radio: Network: CBS; DirecTV: 705; Sirius: 125; SiriusXM: 387
Announcers: Kevin Harlan & Rich Gannon
Spread: Panthers by 7½
Series: Bills lead 59-53 (Bills 1-0 in playoffs)
Streak: Bills Won 2
Last Meeting: Bills 24-23 in Buffalo (2013)
Panthers Offense Rush (10th); Pass (23rd); overall (18th)
Panthers Defense Rush (5th); Pass (7th); overall (3rd)
Bills Offense Rush (1st); Pass (15th); overall (3rd)
Bills Defense Rush (3rd); Pass (t-9th); overall (2nd)


INJURY UPDATE

The Bills are very healthy right now with just Jerel Worthy likely missing the game with a concussion.

The Panthers are also healthy with just LB Thomas Davis missing practice time with a knee injury this week. CB Cole Luke has been limited with an ankle injury.

Check out our Bills Daily Injury Page throughout the week for the latest updates on the injured players.

KEY MATCHUPS

RB LeSean McCoy vs. LB Luke Kuechly:
Shady is the key to the Bills offense and Kuechly is the key to the defense for the Panthers so this is the biggest matchup of the game.

LG John Miller vs. LB Thomas Davis:
Miller struggled last week and will be the man to stop Davis when he rushes from his weakside linebacker spot in the Panthers 4-3 defense.

DE Jerry Hughes vs. LT Matt Kalil:
Hughes was quiet in the opener. They need him to ramp his game up against the veteran Kalil.

LB Ramon Humber vs. RBs James Stewart and Christian McCaffrey:
Humber was a tackling machine in week 1 and now has to watch for Carolina's one-two punch of the veteran Stewart and the rookie McCaffrey.

KEYS TO THE GAME

1. Keep The Crowd Out Of The Game: The hometown fans will be fired up so it's important for the Bills to get the jump on them and keep them from effecting the game.

2. Contain Cam: Even though the Panthers don't want Cam Newton running too much he is still dangerous with his feet so they need to keep him in the pocket.

3. Win Turnover Battle: This one is always important but more important this week since it will be tough enough to win without taking the ball away.

BILLS DAILY PREDICTION

The Bills should be fired up to win this game for their new coach. McDermott will not acknowledge it but this game has to mean just a bit more to him since he goes against his old boss in Ron Rivera. I look for the Bills to battle hard and be in it all the way but the Panthers are just too talented to beat in their place during their home opener:
Panthers 20, Bills 17

Season Prediction Record: (1-0)
Season Record Against The Spread: (0-0-1)

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