By CHUCK POLLOCK, Wellsville Sun Senior Sports Columnist
This was supposed to be the game when the Bills vulnerability to the run was on display for the NFL to see.
They were facing the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium, a team with an impressive 1-2 running back punch in Chuba Hubbard and Rico Dowdle who had conjured a three-game win streak with their ground game.
Instead, coach Dave Canales team got an up-close-and-personal with one of the league’s elite backs who put up other-worldly numbers in Buffalo’s total domination en route to a 40-9 victory Sunday afternoon.
James Cook, whose limited carries during the Bills’ two-game losing streak heading into the bye week, drew plenty of criticism for offensive coordinator Joe Brady.
Lesson learned.
Against Carolina, the 26-year-old, 5-foot-11, 190-pound former Georgia star was sensational. He had only 19 carries but turned them into 216 yards with touchdown runs of a career-best 64 yards and a 21-yarder.
But, even though the Bills rushed for 245 yards and four touchdowns — two by quarterback Josh Allen — this win was a triumph for Buffalo’s defense which improved to 9-0 coming off a bye week.
Coach Bobby Babich’s unit forced three takeaways — two fumble recoveries and an interception — surrendered only 244 yards and sacked Carolina quarterback Andy Dalton a numbing seven times.
This was supposed to be the game when the Bills vulnerability to the run was on display for the NFL to see.
“I didn’t play up to my capabilities,” he said, “I didn’t give us a chance to win.”
The interception was logged by edge rusher A.J. Epenesa who tipped a Dalton pass, then caught it and took the return to the Panthers 1-yard line.
The fumble recoveries went to linebacker Dorian Williams and defensive tackle Deone Walker.
Sacks?
They were shared by seven players. Edge rusher Michael Hoecht, fresh off the six-game performance-enhancing suspension, had 1 1/2. Epenesa, edge rusher Greg Rousseau, free agent acquisition Joey Bosa a nd tackle Jordan Phillips had one apiece. Walker had a half.
Buffalo had no turnovers, quarterback Josh Allen was sacked only twice and this week the Bills were flagged for seven penalties for 60 yards an improvement over the previous two games.
NOTES from the Bills’ 40-9 victory over the Panthers Sunday afternoon in Charlotte:
— Cook’s 64-yard touchdown run was the second-longest of his career. He rushed for 153 yards in the first half and the last time an NFL back did that was by his brother Dalvin who equalled that production with the Vikings.
— Buffalo wide receiver Khalil Shakir’s 54-yard touchdown reception was the Bills longest pass play of the season.
— Allen, with 70 rushing scores, passed former Panthers star Cam Newton as Sunday gave him his 46th game with a rushing and passing TD. Newton had 45. Allen has still never lost three straight games.
— Carolina’s initial sack of Allen was recorded by linebacker Trevon Wallace, his first of the campaign. Later, linebacker Nic Scourton got a sack that gave hime 2 1/2 on the season.
— Matt Prater missed his first extra point since being signed to replace injured Tyler Bass.
— Buffalo lost Oliver to a biceps injury in the second quarter and he didn’t return.
— Inactive for the Bills were wide receiver Joshua Palmer (knee/ankle), outside linebacker Matt Milano (pectoral), defensive tackle DaQuan Jones (calf), wide receiver/kick returner Brandon Codrington, offensive tackle Chris Lundt and edge rusher Landon Jackson.
Shaq Thompson replaced Milano, Tyrell Shavers took Palmer’s spot and Jordan Phillips inherited Jones’ position.
— The Bills elevated Philllips and safety Jordan Poyer from the practice squad and first-round cornerback Maxwell Hairston (knee) was activated from from injured reserve.
The six-game suspensions for violating the NFL’s performance-enhancing drug statute have ended so Hoecht and tackle Larry Ogunjobi were both active.
Buffalo had no turnovers, quarterback Josh Allen was sacked only twice and this week the Bills were flagged for seven penalties for 60 yards.
NOTES from the Bills’ 40-9 victory over the Panthers Sunday afternoon in Charlotte:
— Cook’s 64-yard touchdown run was the second-longest of his career. He rushed for 153 yards in the first half and the last time an NFL back did that was by his brother Dalvin who equalled that production with the Vikings.
— Buffalo wide receiver Khalil Shakir’s 54-yard touchdown reception was the Bills longest pass play of the season.
— Allen, with 70 rushing scores, passed former Panthers star Cam Newton as Sunday gave him his 46th game with a rushing and passing TD. Newton had 45.
— Carolina’s first sack of Allen was recorded by linebacker Trevon Wallace, his first of the campaign. Later, linebacker Nic Scourton got a sack that gave hime 2 1/2 on the season.
— Matt Prater missed his first extra point since being signed to replace injured Tyler Bass.
— Buffalo lost Oliver to an biceps injury in the second quarter and he didn’t return.
— Inactive for the Bills were wide receiver Joshua Palmer (knee/ankle), outside linebacker Matt Milano (pectoral), defensive tackle DaQuan Jones (calf), wide receiver/kick returner Brandon Codrington, offensive tackle Chris Lundt and edge rusher Landon Jackson.
Shaq Thompson replaced Milano, Tyrell Shavers took Palmer’s spot and Jordan Phillips inherited Jones’ position.
— The Bills elevated Philllips and safety Jordan Poyer from the practice squad and first-round cornerback Maxwell Hairston (knee) was activated from from injured reserve.
The six-game suspensions for violating the NFL’s performance-enhancing drug statute have ended so Hoecht and tackle Larry Ogunjobi were both active.
— Among Carolina’s inactives was quarterback Bryce Young (ankle) replaced by the 38-year-old Dalton.
(Chuck Pollock, a Wellsville Sun senior sports columnist, can be reached at cpollock@wnynet.net.)
