Week 8 Matchup: Carolina Needs To Beat The Bills with The Run Game

This Week 8 matchup between the Carolina Panthers and the Buffalo Bills carries plenty of narrative tension for both teams. Carolina enters riding a huge and surprising three-game win streak and currently sits at 4-3, showing signs of momentum. Yet, that momentum may have lowered as Bryce Young will miss this game with a high ankle sprain, opening the door for veteran Andy Dalton to take the helm and carry the offense. 

Buffalo, meanwhile, is coming off a much-needed bye week and looks to rebound from back-to-back losses to the Patriots and Falcons. The Bills need to reassert themselves in their division after stumbling somewhat. Even with a 4-2 record, this is an important game for them to regain that traction. 

The major key to this matchup for Carolina is their running game, led by Rico Dowdle and Chuba Hubbard. Dowdle and Hubbard must tear into the Buffalo defense to win this game and remain undefeated at home. Running the ball has been a major strength for Carolina within this three-game win streak, and Buffalo’s run defense has been vulnerable this season. 

On the flip side, Carolina’s pass rush has been light throughout this season (11 sacks through seven games) and Dalton under center may raise questions about how consistent the Panthers can be through the air. Though Buffalo lost two straight, 2024 MVP Josh Allen is still at the helm and he’s seeking his first taste of the Super Bowl in Levi’s Stadium. By defeating this Panthers team and getting back in the winning column will do the Bills good down the stretch. 

In short: the Panthers are hot, but the injury to Young and reliance on the run game against a motivated Bills squad makes this an even tougher challenge than recent wins. Buffalo wants to reset. If Carolina can keep the ground game going and limit turnovers, an upset is definitely possible.