ORCHARD PARK, NEW YORK - AUGUST 15: Khalil Shakir #10 and Keon Coleman #0 of the Buffalo Bills celebrate during the first quarter of a preseason game against the Carolina Panthers at Highmark Stadium on August 15, 2026 in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Lauren Leigh Bacho/Getty Images) | Getty Images On a picture-perfect afternoon at the new Highmark Stadium, Josh Allen led the Buffalo Bills on a pair of scoring drives as the Bills kicked off the preseason with a 29-14 win over the Carolina Panthers in the first game ever played in Buffalo’s new palace. Today’s edition of Buffalo Rumblinks leads off by recapping Buffalo’s win in its preseason opener and examining which players are on the rise and who saw their stock take a hit in Week 1 of the preseason. Check out the assessments below and then let us know your thoughts on the game in the comments section.
Observations and standouts from Buffalo’s 29-14 win over Carolina Bills fans have heard all offseason about how quarterback Josh Allen and new wide receiver D.J. Moore have been working on their chemistry, and on Saturday, in the team’s preseason debut, that on-field-rapport and big-play potential was on display for all to see as Allen connected with Moore for three catches for 61 yards, including a 32-yard gain on a short crossing route the very first time Allen targeted Moore. Allen started the game and engineered two scoring drives, including a his nine-yard TD pass to Keon Coleman on a play where Allen navigated pressure in the pocket, stepped up, allowed Coleman to find a gap in coverage and rifled in a nine-yard TD strike, the first touchdown scored in new Highmark Stadium. Allen completed 6 of 8 passes for 111 yards and one TD, Moore finished with three catches for 61 yards, Khalil Shakir caught both of his targets for 41 yards, and James Cook ran five times for 21 yards as Buffalo’s starting offense was on the field for two series. What else stood out from the win? Defensive tackle Deone Walker was a handful, repeatedly getting into the backfield and finishing with three tackles, a sack and a quarterback hurry; running back Ray Davis accounted for 53 yards of offense (four catches for 32 yards and three rushes for 21 yards) while backfield mate Ian Wheeler carried the ball seven times for 41 yards with a TD; defensive back Jordan Hancock had a pair of tackles for a loss among his four stops; outside linebacker Mike Danna had a pair of sacks; rookie edge rusher T.J. Parker recorded a sack and looked very comfortable in Jim Leonhard’s defense; backup QB Kyle Allen was an efficient 14 of 16 (87.5%) for 108 yards in relief of Josh Allen; and undrafted rookie cornerback Kani Walker continues to make big plays, anticipating a fourth-quarter pass and coming away with the interception.
Observations: Josh Allen leads two scoring drives as Bills defeat Panthers in preseason opener – Buffalo News (subscription required) Josh Allen, DJ Moore show chemistry is Week 1 ready in Bills’ win over Panthers (Observations) – newyorkupstate.com Top 3 things we learned from Bills vs. Panthers – BuffaloBills.com Starters shine as Bills beat Panthers 29-14 in preseason opener – WGRZ Buffalo Bills, Joe Brady have a great game on a picture-perfect day – Democrat & Chronicle The Bills best the Panthers 29-14 in first preseason outing – WGR 550 ‘Assertive and dominant’: Bills DL Deone Walker shows out against Panthers – Buffalo News (subscription required) Bills preseason thoughts: DJ Moore’s injury scare, Jim Leonhard’s defense debuts – The Athletic (subscription required) Josh Allen gets comfortable in Bills’ new stadium with TD pass in 29-14 preseason win over Panthers – WGRZ ‘Definitely helps my confidence’ | Bills react to Week 1 preseason victory in first game at Highmark Stadium – BuffaloBills.com Capaccio: Arrow Up/Arrow Down: Panthers at Bills preseason – WGR 550 Bills stock watch: Which players impressed in preseason opener? – Buffalo News (subscription required) This Bills undrafted rookie just made Highmark Stadium history and has a real chance to make team – newyorkupstate.com ‘The field is ass right now’: New Highmark Stadium’s grass has rough start – The Athletic (subscription required) A Bills fan couldn’t even wait until the regular season to try climbing the stadium’s massive bison statues – newyorkupstate.com
Bills react to preseason victory Hear from quarterback Josh Allen, head coach Joe Brady, wide receiver Khalil Shakir, defensive tackle Deone Walker, and other members of the Bills following Buffalo’s 29-14 win over Carolina.
Josh Allen Talks First Touchdown In Highmark Stadium – BuffaloBills.com Joe Brady Talks First Preseason Win In Highmark Stadium – BuffaloBills.com Khalil Shakir Talks Win Over The Panthers – BuffaloBills.com Deone Walker On Performance In Preseason Win – BuffaloBills.com TJ Parker Talks Learning From Veterans, Team Confidence After Preseason Win – BuffaloBills.com Tyler Bass Talks Kicking In New Stadium With Rookie Holder – BuffaloBills.com Kani Walker On Interception In Preseason Victory – BuffaloBills.com
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