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BUF |
CAR |
Peppers, Panthers' defense stymies Bills 9-3
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) Julius Peppers has played 17 seasons in the NFL for pretty good defensive teams.
But he said none compares to this year's Carolina Panthers.
''This is the best one I have ever played on,'' Peppers said emphatically Sunday.
Carolina's defense allowed only three points for the second straight week, and Graham Gano converted three field goals as the Panthers held on to defeat the Buffalo Bills 9-3 to remain unbeaten.
The Panthers (2-0) held Tyrod Taylor and LeSean McCoy in check all day, limiting the Bills (1-1) to 176 yards and 10 first downs. McCoy had 9 yards on 12 carries and Taylor had 125 yards passing. The Panthers had three sacks, two by Peppers in his first home game since re-signing with them.
''I have all of the confidence and trust and belief in these guys,'' said Peppers, who has 146 career sacks . ''We all play for one another. I feel like the sky is the limit.''
Panthers coach Ron Rivera said Peppers was simply awesome and is turning out to be a great fit in Carolina with three sacks in two games.
''He has found a niche with the way we rotate these guys to keep them fresh,'' Rivera said.
With Carolina's offense struggling to move the ball and tight end Greg Olsen out with a broken right foot , the Panthers didn't put the game away until 9 seconds remained when Taylor's fourth-and-11 pass sailed off diving rookie Zay Jones' fingertips .
''It was a great call by our coaching staff and a good throw by Tyrod,'' Jones said. ''I just didn't make the play to help my team win this game.''
The Panthers beat San Francisco 23-3 in Week 1.
''We'll take three points a week - that's a good showing for us,'' Peppers said.
Cam Newton was 20 of 32 for 228 yards and ran for 27 yards but was sacked six times by Sean McDermott's defense and overthrew an open Christian McCaffrey at the goal line with less than three minutes remaining that could have sealed the victory. McDermott was Panthers defensive coordinator for the previous six seasons before taking over as head coach of the Bills earlier this year.
''We knew the skill set of Cam Newton coming in,'' McDermott said. ''Our staff did a phenomenal job (with a game plan), and I just helped. We pressured him and confused him a little.''
Newton, who twisted his ankle in the third quarter but stayed in the game, said he can't afford to ''miss layups.''
It was the second straight week he overthrew an open receiver in the end zone.
''I'm disappointed in myself but happy for the overall team just to see how we battled to win a football game,'' Newton said. ''It wasn't pretty at all. But anytime you can get a win in this league, you take it and run with it. But I know I have to be better.''
Said coach Ron Rivera: ''It is tough to win in this league when all you do is kick field goals. But you have to give the Bills credit because they played hard.''
REPLACING OLSEN: The Panthers' offense now will have to find a way to fill in for Olsen, who is coming off three straight 1,000-yard seasons. Olsen injured his foot in the first half. He will see Dr. Robert Anderson on Monday, but said he expects to be out a while.
McCOY A NON-FACTOR: McCoy has reached the 3,000 yards receiving mark for his career. He is the fourth active running back to achieve the feat, joining Darren Sproles, Matt Forte and Frank Gore.
McCoy had 34 yards receiving on six catches but couldn't break loose for any big gains.
''I'll give them credit, their team, their defense,'' McCoy said. ''We just didn't get it done. I didn't get it done.''
GETTING HIS KICKS: Gano was locked in a kicking battle in the preseason, but is 6 for 6 on field goal attempts so far this season.
''I'm feeling pretty good,'' Gano said. ''Just trying to chop away.''
TAYLOR MOVES UP: With his 9-yard completion on the opening drive, Taylor moved into seventh place on the team's all-time passing yards list, passing Dennis Shaw (6,286). Taylor now has 6,291 passing yards.
INJURIES
Bills OT Cordy Glenn injured his ankle and did not return. Bills DT Marcell Dareus left the game briefly with an ankle injury but did return.
Olsen left in the second quarter. Panthers WR Kelvin Benjamin left after taking a brutal hit to his left shoulder in the end zone from Bills FS Jordan Poyer, but did return. Two-time All-Pro center Ryan Kalil developed a kink in his neck before the game and didn't play. He was replaced by Tyler Larsen.
UP NEXT
Bills: Host Denver next Sunday.
Panthers: Host New Orleans next Sunday.
---
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Copyright 2017 by STATS. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of STATS is strictly prohibited.
Team Stats | ||
---|---|---|
Time of Pos | - | - |
1st Downs | 0 | 0 |
Rushing | 0 | 0 |
Passing | 0 | 0 |
Penalty | 0 | 0 |
3rd Down Conv | 0-0 | 0-0 |
4th Down Conv | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Total Net Yards | 0 | 0 |
Total Plays | 0 | 0 |
Avg Gain | 0 | 0 |
Net Yards Rushing | 0 | 0 |
Rush Attempts | 0 | 0 |
Avg Rush Yards | 0 | 0 |
Net Yards Passing | 0 | 0 |
Comp. - Att. | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Yards Per Pass | 0 | 0 |
Penalties - Yards | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Touchdowns | ||
Rushing TDs | 0 | 0 |
Passing TDs | 0 | 0 |
Other | ||
Turnovers | 0 | 0 |
Fumbles - Lost | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Int. Thrown | 0 | 0 |
Punts - Avg | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Return Yards | ||
Punts - Returns | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Kickoffs - Returns | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Int. - Returns | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Red Zone Eff. | 0-0 -0% | 0-0 -0% |
Goal to Go Eff. | 0-0 -0% | 0-0 -0% |
Safeties | 0 | 0 |
Passing | CP/ATT | YDS | TD | INT | FPTS |
T. TaylorĀ
5 QB
10 FPTS
|
T. Taylor | 17/25 | 125 | 0 | 0 | 10 |
Rushing | ATT | YDS | TD | LG | FPTS |
T. TaylorĀ
5 QB
10 FPTS
|
T. Taylor | 8 | 55 | 0 | 13 | 10 | ||||||||||||||||||||
L. McCoyĀ
25 RB
3 FPTS
|
L. McCoy | 12 | 9 | 0 | 6 | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||
M. TolbertĀ
35 FB
0 FPTS
|
M. Tolbert | 3 | 5 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
Receiving | TAR | REC | YDS | TD | LG | FPTS |
L. McCoyĀ
25 RB
3 FPTS
|
L. McCoy | 7 | 6 | 34 | 0 | 11 | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
J. MatthewsĀ
87 WR
3 FPTS
|
J. Matthews | 3 | 3 | 30 | 0 | 15 | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
C. ClayĀ
85 TE
2 FPTS
|
C. Clay | 3 | 3 | 23 | 0 | 12 | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Z. JonesĀ
11 WR
1 FPTS
|
Z. Jones | 6 | 2 | 18 | 0 | 12 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
A. HolmesĀ
18 WR
1 FPTS
|
A. Holmes | 4 | 2 | 18 | 0 | 9 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
M. TolbertĀ
35 FB
0 FPTS
|
M. Tolbert | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
P. DiMarcoĀ
42 FB
0 FPTS
|
P. DiMarco | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Defense | T-A | SACK | INT | FF |
R. HumberĀ
50 OLB
|
R. Humber | 7-4 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. PoyerĀ
21 FS
|
J. Poyer | 7-4 | 1.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
L. AlexanderĀ
57 OLB
|
L. Alexander | 6-4 | 1.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. HughesĀ
55 DE
|
J. Hughes | 4-2 | 2.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
T. WhiteĀ
27 CB
|
T. White | 4-2 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
S. LawsonĀ
90 DE
|
S. Lawson | 2-3 | 1.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
E. GainesĀ
28 CB
|
E. Gaines | 2-2 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
L. JohnsonĀ
24 DB
|
L. Johnson | 2-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
C. ThorntonĀ
91 DT
|
C. Thornton | 1-2 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
D. LaceyĀ
44 LB
|
D. Lacey | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
E. YarbroughĀ
75 DE
|
E. Yarbrough | 1-0 | 1.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
A. HolmesĀ
18 WR
|
A. Holmes | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
C. AndersonĀ
33 DB
|
C. Anderson | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
R. DavisĀ
56 DE
|
R. Davis | 0-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
P. BrownĀ
52 MLB
|
P. Brown | 0-7 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
K. WilliamsĀ
95 DT
|
K. Williams | 0-6 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
M. DareusĀ
99 DT
|
M. Dareus | 0-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 |
Kicking | FG | LG | XP | PTS |
S. HauschkaĀ
4 K
0 FPTS
|
S. Hauschka | 1/1 | 45 | 0/0 | 3 |
Punting | NO | AVG | IN20 | LG |
C. SchmidtĀ
6 P
|
C. Schmidt | 6 | 49.5 | 2 | 57 |
Kickoff Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD |
Punt Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD |
K. ClayĀ 13 WR
0 FPTS
|
K. Clay | 2 | 1.0 | 2 | 0 |
Passing | CP/ATT | YDS | TD | INT | FPTS |
C. NewtonĀ
1 QB
11 FPTS
|
C. Newton | 20/32 | 228 | 0 | 0 | 11 |
Rushing | ATT | YDS | TD | LG | FPTS |
J. StewartĀ
28 RB
4 FPTS
|
J. Stewart | 15 | 40 | 0 | 10 | 4 | ||||||||||||||||||||
C. NewtonĀ
1 QB
11 FPTS
|
C. Newton | 5 | 27 | 0 | 15 | 11 | ||||||||||||||||||||
C. McCaffreyĀ
22 RB
4 FPTS
|
C. McCaffrey | 8 | 10 | 0 | 6 | 4 |
Receiving | TAR | REC | YDS | TD | LG | FPTS |
K. BenjaminĀ
13 WR
7 FPTS
|
K. Benjamin | 8 | 6 | 77 | 0 | 18 | 7 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
D. FunchessĀ
17 WR
6 FPTS
|
D. Funchess | 7 | 4 | 68 | 0 | 24 | 6 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
C. McCaffreyĀ
22 RB
4 FPTS
|
C. McCaffrey | 5 | 4 | 34 | 0 | 14 | 4 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
E. DicksonĀ
84 TE
2 FPTS
|
E. Dickson | 3 | 2 | 26 | 0 | 20 | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
G. OlsenĀ
88 TE
1 FPTS
|
G. Olsen | 2 | 1 | 10 | 0 | 10 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
C. SamuelĀ
10 WR
0 FPTS
|
C. Samuel | 3 | 2 | 7 | 0 | 8 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
R. ShepardĀ
19 WR
0 FPTS
|
R. Shepard | 2 | 1 | 6 | 0 | 6 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
D. ByrdĀ
18 WR
0 FPTS
|
D. Byrd | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
J. StewartĀ
28 RB
4 FPTS
|
J. Stewart | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 |
Defense | T-A | SACK | INT | FF |
T. DavisĀ
58 OLB
|
T. Davis | 5-2 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. BradberryĀ
24 CB
|
J. Bradberry | 5-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
M. AddisonĀ
97 DE
|
M. Addison | 4-0 | 1.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. PeppersĀ
90 DE
|
J. Peppers | 4-2 | 2.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
L. KuechlyĀ
59 MLB
|
L. Kuechly | 3-2 | 0.0 | 0 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||
D. WorleyĀ
26 CB
|
D. Worley | 3-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
K. ShortĀ
99 DT
|
K. Short | 2-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
C. JohnsonĀ
95 DE
|
C. Johnson | 2-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
C. MunnerlynĀ
41 DB
|
C. Munnerlyn | 2-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. NorrisĀ
52 ILB
|
J. Norris | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
K. ColemanĀ
20 FS
|
K. Coleman | 1-2 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
M. AdamsĀ
29 SS
|
M. Adams | 1-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
S. LotuleleiĀ
98 DT
|
S. Lotulelei | 1-2 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
V. ButlerĀ
92 DT
|
V. Butler | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
S. Green-ThompsonĀ
54 OLB
|
S. Green-Thompson | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
D. MayoĀ
55 LB
|
D. Mayo | 0-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
K. LoveĀ
93 DE
|
K. Love | 0-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
C. JonesĀ
42 FS
|
C. Jones | 0-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 |
Kicking | FG | LG | XP | PTS |
G. GanoĀ
9 K
0 FPTS
|
G. Gano | 3/3 | 34 | 0/0 | 9 |
Punting | NO | AVG | IN20 | LG |
M. PalardyĀ
5 P
|
M. Palardy | 6 | 41.5 | 2 | 55 |
Kickoff Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD |
Punt Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD |
C. McCaffreyĀ 22 RB
4 FPTS
|
C. McCaffrey | 5 | 6.0 | 11 | 0 |