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Monday, August 13, 2018 | BataviasBest.org
This past Thursday night the Buffalo Bills endured their first preseason action of the 2018-2019 season – a 28-23 loss to the Carolina Panthers. Despite the loss, which doesn’t mean much as it is the preseason, there was plenty to break down and overanalyze as we move forward, beginning with the starter of this past Thursday’s game – Nathan Peterman.
Peterman played surprisingly well throughout his time on the field last week which was highlighted by his two big connections with Kelvin Benjamin on the first drive – the second of which being a 28-yard touchdown pass to the Bills top-target.
Unbelievable throw and catch from Peterman to Benjamin on the sideline. The Bills’ offense really clicked on the first drive Thursday night #BillsTape #gobills #GMTBB #NFL #CARvsBUF pic.twitter.com/Opqcmepbun
— Batavia’s Best (@bataviasbest) August 13, 2018
Buffalo’s first TD of the preseason is another hookup between Peterman and Benjamin. Again, a solid throw from the Bills QB #BillsTape #gobills #GMTBB #NFL #CARvsBUF pic.twitter.com/49gthvWYt7
— Batavia’s Best (@bataviasbest) August 13, 2018
Defensively for the Bills in the first half there were a few players who stood out to me, including former first round draft pick Shaq Lawson. Lawson, drafted by the previous Bills’ regime, has seemingly fallen out of favor with the current front office and coaching staff, and needs consecutive impressive performances during the preseason to hold his spot on this team.
Bills DE Shaq Lawson had a nice pass breakup in the 1Q on Thursday. Terrible job by the Panthers’ right tackle, however. #BillsTape #gobills #GMTBB #NFL #CARvsBUF pic.twitter.com/VQQZZ4k43U
— Batavia’s Best (@bataviasbest) August 13, 2018
Jordan Poyer was alive and well against the Panthers, and the Bills safety picked up right where he left off last season by nearly creating two turnovers in the early going. I believe Poyer could be in for quite the season.
Jordan Poyer with a solid punch on the Panthers’ fumble early in the 1Q on Thursday. Bills DB has a nose for the ball #BillsTape #gobills #GMTBB #NFL #CARvsBUF pic.twitter.com/XgItR73LEq
— Batavia’s Best (@bataviasbest) August 13, 2018
Another near-turnover created by Jordan Poyer. He’s in for another big year on what could be a special Bills defense #BillsTape #gobills #GMTBB #NFL #CARvsBUF pic.twitter.com/bf5gZwSLdo
— Batavia’s Best (@bataviasbest) August 13, 2018
Bills’ rookie DL Harrison Phillips picked up his first sack as an NFL player, and later dedicated it to Buffalo superfan ‘Panch Billa’. I’ve really appreciated Phillips’ effort to ingratiate himself with ‘Bills Mafia’ since being drafted by the team this past April. If his career is to take on the trajectory everyone thinks that it can, I can see him become one of the all-time beloved players in Bills’ history.
Harrison* Phillips with the hard-working sack on third down. Bills rookie already turning heads #BillsTape #gobills #GMTBB #NFL #CARvsBUF pic.twitter.com/kRnqRwcv0c
— Batavia’s Best (@bataviasbest) August 13, 2018
After Peterman’s time was done, AJ McCarron was next under center for the Bills and although his stint started rough, it certainly picked up steam as time went on – thanks to a solid performance from the second-team offensive line. I believe they may have been the most-impressive unit on Thursday night, as rookie OL Wyatt Teller’s solid performance highlighted a strong effort from Buffalo’s second-unit up front.
What a disaster on AJ McCarron’s first snap, as a Carolina defender comes unblocked off the edge. Bills second team offensive line started rough #BillsTape #gobills #GMTBB #NFL #CARvsBUF pic.twitter.com/nEGdRowLnY
— Batavia’s Best (@bataviasbest) August 13, 2018
Things were made fairly easy on McCarron on the big play to Brandon Reilly in the second quarter. Bills second-team offensive line ate up Carolina’s pressure, and a great route from Reilly. #BillsTape #gobills #GMTBB #NFL #CARvsBUF pic.twitter.com/NxEG62mIQh
— Batavia’s Best (@bataviasbest) August 13, 2018
Finally, at long last the Bills’ faithful got what they were waiting for – the debut of Josh Allen. Buffalo’s rookie QB didn’t set the world on fire in his first game action of the his NFL career, but by no means did he look overmatched – albeit he was going up against the Panthers’ second, and third-team defense.
Just a flick of the wrist for Josh Allen on the first play of the second half. Led Robert Foster just a bit out of bounds. Crowd loved it #BillsTape #gobills #GMTBB #NFL #CARvsBUF pic.twitter.com/RDbK0RSwWB
— Batavia’s Best (@bataviasbest) August 13, 2018
Some toughness and finesse shown by Allen on this throw, as he finds TE Jason Croom despite taking a big hit from a Panthers defender #BillsTape #gobills #GMTBB #NFL #CARvsBUF pic.twitter.com/bpbAEwHuXz
— Batavia’s Best (@bataviasbest) August 13, 2018
Not great. #BillsTape #gobills #GMTBB #NFL #CARvsBUF pic.twitter.com/9xQCxjnAtb
— Batavia’s Best (@bataviasbest) August 13, 2018
Unbelievable throw by Allen to Ray Ray McCloud for the score. Madden-like #BillsTape #gobills #GMTBB #NFL #CARvsBUF pic.twitter.com/nlaMwBqUjH
— Batavia’s Best (@bataviasbest) August 13, 2018
In totality, the primary take away from this past Thursday night is the fact that all three of our quarterbacks are, at the very least, capable. In addition, although the second and third team defense struggled, the first team defense showed some positive signs which lead you to believe that they can be elite this season.
Lastly, Sean McDermott continues to impress me with his sideline demeanor. Although I failed to capture an example of this during my review of the game, his discussions with the officials, various position groups, and each and every staff member continues to feed my confidence in the fact that we have the right man for the job.
As we move forward, continue to tune in for increased Bills’ coverage throughout the 2018-2019 season. It’s a great year to be a Bills fan.