FULL RECAP: PANTHERS VS BILLS

1 — A perfect “get-right” game for BuffaloAfter the bye, the Bills looked refreshed and focused, improving Sean McDermott’s post-bye record to 9–0. Their 40 points were the most ever under McDermott following a bye, while the 9 points allowed were the fewest. McDermott praised his team’s preparation: “I really thought the players and staff did a phenomenal job. The process is the process.” The Panthers, with a top-three rushing offense and a stingy defense, couldn’t withstand Buffalo’s balanced attack. Four straight touchdown drives spanning the 2nd and 3rd quarters, capped by Khalil Shakir’s 54-yard catch-and-run, broke the game wide open. Josh Allen said: “Coming off two losses, that lingered with us. We wanted to come out and play our best — and I think we did that tonight.” Buffalo’s defense contributed two takeaways (Epenesa’s interception and Walker’s fumble recovery), helping the offense dominate in total yards (410–244). 2 — James Cook’s historic masterpieceJames Cook III delivered a career day with 216 rushing yards and 2 TDs on just 19 carries. Ten of those runs moved the chains, including a 64-yard TD sprint. Cook became just the third player since 2011 to record 200+ yards and 2 TDs on fewer than 20 carries, joining De’Von Achane and Derrick Henry. The Bills are now 9–1 since 2022 when Cook tops 100 rushing yards. “He’s playing outstanding. The more times we get the ball in his hands, the better we’re going to be,” said Josh Allen. According to Next Gen Stats, 189 of Cook’s yards came outside the tackles and 141 before contact — a testament to the offensive line’s dominance. His 153 first-half rushing yards were the most by any player since his brother Dalvin Cook’s 2021 mark. McDermott added: “I value physical football — and it starts up front. Our O-line did a great job.” Buffalo racked up 245 rushing yards and four ground TDs. Allen also added two rushing scores, surpassing Cam Newton’s all-time record for most games with both a passing and rushing TD (46). Allen and Cook became only the second QB/RB duo in NFL history to each record 2+ rushing touchdowns in the same game. 3 — Defensive ends wreak havocSeven different Bills recorded at least half a sack — the first time that’s happened since 2021. The DE group of Joey Bosa, A.J. Epenesa, Greg Rousseau, and Michael Hoecht led the charge. Rousseau forced a key fumble in the first quarter, recovered by Christian Benford. Bosa ended his drought with a second-quarter sack, while Hoecht — in his Bills debut — tallied 1.5 sacks and 3 tackles. “Hoecht was a tone setter,” McDermott said. “He’s a leader in his own way and made a difference.” Epenesa added a highlight-reel interception — batting a screen pass, kicking it up, and catching it himself — his third career INT. “It’s something we’ve repped so many times it’s become second nature,” Epenesa said with a smile. With a complete team effort, Buffalo reminded everyone that when healthy and prepared, they’re still one of the AFC’s most complete teams — and next week’s clash at Highmark Stadium is shaping up to be another blockbuster.