CHARLOTTE - After starting the season 5-2, the Buffalo Bills have lost four out of their last six games to sit at 7-6 and right on the edge of the AFC playoff picture.
That skid started with a clunker to Jacksonville and came to a head with a comeback that fell short in overtime on Sunday at Tampa Bay.
Buffalo's statement win over the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 5 seems so long ago now, as the Bills have struggled with preseason expectations of a return to the AFC Championship or more.
However, this game still has plenty of storylines, so let's dive right in.
CAROLINA NORTH
After former Panthers defensive coordinator Sean McDermott became Buffalo's head coach and former Panthers assistant GM Brandon Beane went north for the Bills general manager position, there have been plenty of trades and signings involving former Panthers and Bills.
The Bills currently have six former Panthers on the active roster in Mario Addison, Vernon Butler, Star Lotulelei, Efe Obada, Andre Smith and Daryl Williams. Bryan Cox, Jr. is on IR and A.J. Klein is currently on the COVID-19 list.
The Panthers have a former Bill themselves in assistant GM Dan Morgan, who spent three seasons in the Bills front office before returning to Carolina this summer.
Linebacker Jermaine Carter Jr. already spoke this week about his excitement in seeing Smith, a member of his 2018 Panthers draft class.
ALLEN'S HEALTH
Bills quarterback Josh Allen has struggled a bit over this recent stretch, throwing eight interceptions in the past six games compared to just three picks in the first seven games.
Allen still ranks fourth in the NFL with 28 passing touchdowns and seventh with 3,524 passing yards. His 531 rushing yards rank third among quarterbacks.
McDermott said Monday that Allen suffered a foot sprain in the game at Tampa Bay and is day-to-day. Former North Carolina quarterback Mitch Trubisky is Allen's backup, so that news will be worth monitoring this week.
STOUT DEFENSE
The Buffalo defense is not only stingy, but opportunistic. Buffalo leads the NFL with +122.54 defensive expected points added.
That aggregate stat comes from Buffalo's 26 takeaways (3rd), 65 tackles for loss (5th) and 81 points off turnovers (5th).
Buffalo has allowed just 288.9 net yards per game and 17.2 first downs per game, leading the NFL in both categories. Teams are scoring touchdowns on just 50.0 percent of red zone drives, and averaging just 5.6 yards per net pass attempt.
Carolina is 2-6 all-time against Buffalo dating back to 1995.
Julius Peppers during the Panthers game against the Bills on Sunday, Sep. 16, 2017.
Carolina Panthers' Steve Smith (89) eludes a tackle by Buffalo Bills' Troy Vincent (23) during the first half of the the game at Ralph Wilson Stadium in Orchard Park, N.Y., Sunday, Nov. 27, 2005. (AP Photo/David Duprey)
Buffalo Bills' Willis McGahee (21) is tackled by Carolina Panthers' Chris Draft (52) during the second half of the game at Ralph Wilson Stadium in Orchard Park, N.Y., Sunday, Nov. 27, 2005. The Panthers won, 13-9. (AP Photo/David Duprey)
Carolina Panthers' Chris Gamble (20) celebrates his interception with teammate Ricky Manning Jr. (24) during the fourth quarter of the game against the Buffalo Bills at Ralph Wilson Stadium in Orchard Park, N.Y., Sunday, Nov. 27, 2005. The interception sealed the Panthers' 13-9 win over the Bills. (AP Photo/David Duprey)
Carolina Panthers' Michael Gaines (84) celebrates his touchdown reception in the end zone during the second half of the game against the Buffalo Bills at Ralph Wilson Stadium in Orchard Park, N.Y., Sunday, Nov. 27, 2005. The Panthers won, 13-9.(AP Photo/Don Heupel)
Carolina Panthers' DeShaun Foster (26) runs under pressure from Buffalo Bills' Eric King (29) and Jabari Greer (33) during the second half of the game at Ralph Wilson Stadium in Orchard Park, N.Y., Sunday, Nov. 27, 2005.The Panthers won, 13-9.(AP Photo/Don Heupel)
Buffalo Bills quarterback J. P. Losman is sacked by Carolina Panthers' Jordan Carstens (67) during the first half of the game at Ralph Wilson Stadium in Orchard Park, N.Y., Sunday, Nov. 27, 2005. (AP Photo/David Duprey)
during the Panthers game against the Bills on Sunday, Sep. 16, 2017.
Buffalo Bills running back Willis McGahee (21) is tackled by Carolina Panthers' Ricky Manning Jr. (24) and Chris Draft (52) in Orchard Park, N.Y., Sunday, Nov. 27, 2005. A year after producing 36 offensive touchdowns, the Bills have managed a mere 14 this season. Buffalo's offense ranks 30th overall. (AP Photo/David Duprey)
Cam Newton during the Panthers game against the Bills on Sunday, Sep. 16, 2017.
Kelvin Benjamin catches a pass during the Panthers game against the Bills on Sunday, Sep. 16, 2017.
Mario Addison during the Panthers game against the Bills on Sunday, Sep. 16, 2017.
Jonathan Stewart carries the football during the Panthers game against the Bills on Sunday, Sep. 16, 2017.
Carolina Panthers' Jake Delhomme (17) is shown against the Buffalo Bills in the first half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Oct. 25, 2009. (AP Photo/Nell Redmond)
Carolina Panthers' Jake Delhomme (17) scrambles against the Buffalo Bills in the first half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Oct. 25, 2009. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)
Buffalo Bills' Ryan Fitzpatrick (14) scrambles against the Carolina Panthers in the second half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Oct. 25, 2009. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)
Carolina Panthers' DeAngelo Williams (34) runs as Buffalo Bills' George Wilson (37) and Drayton Florence (29) defend in the first half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Oct. 25, 2009. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)
Carolina Panthers' Steve Smith (89) is shown against the Buffalo Bills in the second half of Buffalo's 20-9 win in an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Oct. 25, 2009. (AP Photo/Rick Havner)
Buffalo Bills' Jairus Byrd (31) returns an interception against the Carolina Panthers in the second half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Oct. 25, 2009. (AP Photo/Rick Havner)
Carolina Panthers' Julius Peppers (90) is shown against the Buffalo Bills in the first half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Oct. 25, 2009. (AP Photo/Nell Redmond)
Buffalo Bills quarterback Doug Flutie (7) looks downfield as Carolina Panthers' Tim Morabito (90) closes in during the third quarter at Ericsson Stadium in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Oct. 25, 1998. (AP Photo/Alan Marler)
Buffalo Bills' Travis Henry (20) scores the game-winning touchdown over the Carolina Panthers during the fourth quarter of the game at Ralph Wilson Stadium in Orchard Park, N.Y., Sunday, Dec. 9, 2001. (AP Photo/David Duprey)
Carolina Panthers Star Lotulelei (98) grabs Buffalo Bills C.J. Spiller (28) while fending off a block from Colin Brown (74) during a 24-23 loss to the Buffalo Bills in an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 15, 2013, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Bill Wippert)
Buffalo Bills cornerback Nickell Robey (37) pressures Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 15, 2013, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Gary Wiepert)
Buffalo Bills' C J Spiller (28) jumps over Carolina Panthers' Mike Mitchell (21) as Panthers' Thomas Davis (58) closes during an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 15, 2013, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Gary Wiepert)
Carolina Panthers receiver Ted Ginn Jr. celebrates a second half touchdown catch against the Buffalo Bills during an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 15, 2013, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Bill Wippert)
Buffalo Bills quarterback EJ Manuel passes against the Carolina Panthers in the third quarter of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 15, 2013, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Bill Wippert)
Carolina Panthers tight end Greg Olsen (88) runs against Buffalo Bills outside linebacker Arthur Moats (52) after a pass reception in the first quarter of a NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 15, 2013, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Gary Wiepert)
Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) begins a play against the Buffalo Bills in an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 15, 2013, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Bill Wippert)
Curtis Samuel has a pass broken up by the defense during the Panthers game against the Bills on Sunday, Sep. 16, 2017.
Christian McCaffrey carries the football during the Panthers game against the Bills on Sunday, Sep. 16, 2017.
Julius Peppers during the Panthers game against the Bills on Sunday, Sep. 16, 2017.
Luke Kuechly makes a tackle during the Panthers game against the Bills on Sunday, Sep. 16, 2017.
Cam Newton rushes during the Panthers game against the Bills on Sunday, Sep. 16, 2017.
