The Buffalo Bills playoff hopes hang in the balance as the team is set to begin their five remaining games in the regular season. They will face the Carolina Panthers in a must-win game at home on Sunday in Orchard Park.
Despite MVP-like heroics from QB Josh Allen and coming back from a 24-3 halftime deficit, the team would lose in a Week 14 overtime matchup against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, thanks in part to poor officiating that carried some stench of the NFL’s market bias.
The Bills are putting the loss behind them with Carolina in front-and-center focus as they prepare for a familiar foe.
Panthers QB Cam Newton spent last year with the New England Patriots. While they are not active, former Jets QB Sam Darnold and former Bills QB Matt Barkley are both now Panthers. There is the history with GM Brandon Beane and HC Sean McDermott coming North to join the Bills from the Panthers organization. And fans are all too familiar with former Bill and Patriot CB Stephon Gilmore and his affinity for televised games.
Between all that and the former Panthers who have since joined Beane and McDermott with the Bills, the two clubs know each other well.
As far as who will come out on top, here are three keys to a win for the Bills (7-6) against the Panthers (5-8):