Buffalo Shut Out In Preseason Ending Loss - Bills Vs. Panthers: Live Game Log
The as yet undefeated Buffalo Bills head to the Carolina Panthers looking to close out their season in style. ... but they will do so with a dark cloud of sorts hanging over the club.
Bills’ rookie Matt Araiza, this week having been accused in a civil lawsuit of gang-raping a 17-year-old girl last year, will not punt for Buffalo in this preseason game at Carolina, per an NFL Network report.
"It’s a shakedown because he’s now with the Buffalo Bills," the player's attorney said. "There is no doubt in my mind that Matt Araiza (never) raped that girl."
Meanwhile a host of other members of the Bills will be fighting for jobs, and doing so without star quarterback Josh Allen along with most other starters.
Thankfully, backup quarterbacks Case Keenum and Matt Barkley have both had strong preseasons and the former, in particular, stood out against the Denver Broncos last week.
If the Bills beat the Panthers, it will be their 11th-straight preseason victory. The Bills walked all over the Denver Broncos on Saturday, cruising to a 42-15 win. Quarterback Josh Allen hit all three of his pass attempts for 45 yards with a 28-yard touchdown to Gabriel Davis. Allen, and most of the starters, will not play vs. the Panthers.
Looking to the other side of the field, the Panthers are expected to play most of their starters - although exactly how much is as yet unknown.
Newly-named starting quarterback Baker Mayfield is expected to feature, however, star wideout Robbie Anderson and running back Christian McCaffrey are reportedly set to remain on the sidelines, per Pro Football Talk.
Check back below for running commentary throughout the game.
FINAL - Bills 0-21 Panthers
Fourth Quarter - Bills 0-21 Panthers
Panthers punt. Quarterback Matt Barkley will take over at Buffalo's 14-yard line.
Fourth Quarter - Bills 0-21 Panthers
Two-minute warning. The Panthers face a third and six at their own 47-yard line.
Fourth Quarter - Bills 0-21 Panthers
Bills fail to convert on a fourth and four at the Carolina five-yard line with quarterback Matt Barkley sacked for a loss of 17 yards. Turnover on downs.
Fourth Quarter - Bills 0-21 Panthers
The Panthers fail to convert on fourth and nine at Buffalo's 31-yard line. Turned over on downs.
Fourth Quarter - Bills 0-21 Panthers
Carolina running back John Lovett is called for a false start. The resulting five-yard penalty backs them up to Buffalo's 39-yard line.
Fourth Quarter - Bills 0-21 Panthers
Quarterback Matt Barkley stays out to punt for 38-yards. Panthers have the ball at their own 38-yard line. P.J. Walker is in at quarterback for Carolina.
END Of Third Quarter - Bills 0-21 Panthers
Quarterback Matt Barkley recovers a fumble for a one-yard gain to end the third quarter.
Third Quarter - Bills 0-21 Panthers
After the Panthers punt, quarterback Matt Barkley returns on offense starting at their 14-yard line.
Third Quarter - Bills 0-21 Panthers
After being rolled up in a tackle, Panthers quarterback Sam Darnold is carted off the field.
Third Quarter - Bills 0-21 Panthers
Panthers quarterback Sam Darnold's offense to start at their own 38-yard line.
Third Quarter - Bills 0-21 Panthers
Quarterback Matt Barkley out to punt for Buffalo.
Third Quarter - Bills 0-21 Panthers
Buffalo tight end Tommy Sweeney is flagged for holding. This 10-yard penalty pushed Buffalo back to their own 46-yard line.
Third Quarter - Bills 0-21 Panthers
Panthers linebacker Damien Wilson is flagged for a neutral zone infraction. The five-yard penalty moves the Bills up to Carolina's 46-yard line.
Third Quarter - Bills 0-21 Panthers
The Bills will take over at their own 38-yard line after the kickoff.
Third Quarter - Bills 0-21 Panthers
Quarterback Sam Darnold scores Carolina's third touchdown of the night to cap off a 45-yard drive. The extra point is good.
Third Quarter - Bills 0-14 Panthers
Quarterback Matt Barkley is sacked on fourth and five at their own 45-yard line. Turn over on downs.
Third Quarter - Bills 0-14 Panthers
Buffalo receives the kickoff and will start at their 37-yard line.
HALFTIME - Bills 0-14 Panthers
Ken Dorsey's offense struggled throughout the first half, with quarterback Case Keenum going eight of 13 for 46 yards, one interception, and a 361. quarterback rating.
The run game has had some luck but not much to shout about with 53 yards on 16 carries with rookie Raheem Blackshear the lead back once more this preseason.
Defensively it's been a mixed bag. Quarterbacks Baker Mayfield and Sam Darnold went 12 of 21 for 111 yards, two touchdowns, zero interceptions, and zero sacks.
On the plus side, on nine carries Carolina had just 14 yards rushing.
Rookies linebacker Baylon Spector and cornerback Kaiir Elam had a defended pass a piece while veteran defensive end Mike Love had the defense's sole quarterback hit. Safety Damar Hamlin leads Leslie Frazier's defense in tackles with six.
Second Quarter - Bills 0-14 Panthers
Panthers punt. Case Keenum's offense takes over at their own 20-yard line.
Second Quarter - Bills 0-14 Panthers
Bills call a timeout with 32 seconds left on the clock. Carolina faces a third and four at their own 32-yard line.
Second Quarter - Bills 0-14 Panthers
Running back Duke Johnson loses two-yards on the carry. Turnover on downs. Carolina's ball at their 10-yard line with Sam Darnold in at quarterback.
Second Quarter - Bills 0-14 Panthers
Carolina calls a timeout. Buffalo faces a fourth and one at Carolina's eight-yard line.
Second Quarter - Bills 0-14 Panthers
Two-minute warning. Bills are at Carolina's 39-yard line.
Second Quarter - Bills 0-14 Panthers
Led by Case Keenum, Buffalo's offense is back out at their own 19-yard line.
TOUCHDOWN - Bills 0-14 Panthers
Baker Mayfield completes a pass to wide receiver Shi Smith for a 19-yard touchdown. The extra point is good.
Second Quarter - Bills 0-7 Panthers
Case Keenum is intercepted by safety Jeremy Chinn. Carolina takes over at Buffalo's 27-yard line.
Second Quarter - Bills 0-7 Panthers
The Panthers were unable to convert on a third and one. Panthers punt.
END Of First Quarter - Bills 0-7 Panthers
The Panthers will start the second quarter with a third and one at their own 28-yard line.
First Quarter - Bills 0-7 Panthers
Bills to go for it on fourth and two before tackle Tanner Owen is called for offside. Barkley is back out to punt.
First Quarter - Bills 0-7 Panthers
Case Keenum is sacked for a loss of 10 yards. Third down at their own 30-yard line.
First Quarter - Bills 0-7 Panthers
Buffalo's offense is back out at their own 25-yard line.
TOUCHDOWN - Bills 0-7 Panthers
The Panthers score first thanks to running back D'Onta Foreman. The extra point is good.
First Quarter - Bills 0-0 Panthers
Mayfield is sacked shy of a first down by Shaq Lawson on fourth down. However, Carlos Basham is called for offside. Panthers first-down at Buffalo's 10-yard line.
First Quarter - Bills 0-0 Panthers
Buffalo's offense goes three and out on their first drive. Quarterback Matt Barkley is out to punt in place of rookie Matt Araiza who is out tonight.
First Quarter - Bills 0-0 Panthers
The Bills call for a timeout to avoid a delay of game penalty. They face a third and 10 at their 25-yard line.
First Quarter - Bills 0-0 Panthers
The Bills' offense takes over at their own 25-yard line with Case Keenum in at quarterback.
First Quarter - Bills 0-0 Panthers
Rookie cornerback Kaiir Elam breaks up a pass by Mayfield. That's three-and-out for the Panthers.
KICKOFF - Bills 0-0 Panthers
The Panthers receive the kickoff. Quarterback Baker Mayfield will take over at their own 24-yard line.
KICKOFF DELAYED
Originally scheduled to kick off at 7 p.m. ET, the game has been delayed due to lightning. It will now kick off at 7:36 p.m. ET.
