When the Carolina Panthers travel to Buffalo for their final preseason game, the contest will be noteworthy for several reasons. The biggest is that the starters are expected to play for both teams, which runs counter to what most teams are doing for their third game. This is usually a roster bubble game, with most of the veterans and starters getting an off day.
But there's more than that on the line in this one. Bryce Young is expected to make his first appearance of the preseason, which is noteworthy partly because they have yet another new coach, Dave Canales. They're coming off a disastrous year in which Young significantly underperformed, so all eyes will be on Young.
As for the Bills, they're dealing with some significant injury issues, so expect a lot of changes as Sean McDermott and the rest of his staff try to figure out how the roster puzzle pieces will fit together.
Game Details
Fixture: Carolina Panthers @ Buffalo Bills
Date and Time: August 24, 2024 @ 1:00 PM EST
Location: Highmark Stadium, Orchard Park, New York
Carolina Panthers Team Review
The Panthers have had a surprisingly quiet camp for a team that finished 2-15 last year. Those kind of results usually lead to all sorts of changes and ongoing news, but Carolina camp was mostly silent as the Panthers lost first to the Patriots by a 17-3 count, then to the Jets, 15-12, in a "tense" field goal battle.
The news about Young dominated this week's preseason headlines, but Carolina did make another significant move this week. With starting CB Dane Jackson expected to start the season on IR with a severe hamstring injury, the Panthers traded for Seattle corner Michael Jackson, sending rookie linebacker Michael Barrett to the Seahawks.
Buffalo Bills Team Review
Unfortunately, the biggest news out of Bills camp is an injury update, as star linebacker Matt Milano tore his bicep to put the defense back on its heels. But Milano has plenty of company on the injury list.
The key names are receivers Curtis Samuel and Marquez Valdes-Scantling, along with safety Cole Bishop and veteran linebacker Nicholas Morrow. Basically, if you scan the position groups in Buffalo's roster, chances are you'll find a meaningful injury.
Cutdown day will be a scramble, so keep an eye on who shows out and who disappoints. Sean McDermott is on the hot seat this season, so he can't afford to get off to another slow start out of the gate.
Who to Watch
Carolina Panthers
The spotlight will be on Young in this game, but he'll have plenty of company, specifically the rest of the Panthers offense. The Panthers have yet to score a touchdown this preseason, and at times they've been cover-your-eyes bad.
Quarterbacks Adrian Martinez and Andrew Peasley barely reached the 100-yard mark against the Jets, and Carolina came within a late field goal of getting shut out against New England.
How much time will Bryce Young and the starters see? Dave Canales has been a little murky about that one, saying "I'd love to get them sweaty" when referring to the starters as a whole. Canales also said the offense will be "very, very multiple," which is tough to interpret given the unit's struggles last year and in prior preseason games.
Buffalo Bills
With all the injuries, it's hard to pick out a single player, but on defense, Bishop and Mike Edwards need to be solid. Kicker Tyler Bass is an unexpected player to watch, as he's been just over .500 in his attempts during team drills. The last thing the Bills need to be dealing with is a kicker cut going into the season, so watch his performance when Buffalo gets in field goal range.
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