5 takeaways from Bills win over Panthers in first preseason game

Key Points:

• The Buffalo Bills dominated the Carolina Panthers 29-14 in the first preseason game at the new Highmark Stadium, with strong performances on both offense and defense exceeding the final score's indication.
• Offensive coordinator Joe Brady pushed for aggressive play-calling, including deep drops and play-action passes for Josh Allen, who showed a significant increase in average depth of target compared to last season.
• Defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard's complex blitz schemes confused the Panthers' offensive line, resulting in four sacks and limiting Carolina to just 4.9 yards per passing attempt.
• Defensive tackle Deone Walker stood out with impressive speed and power, recording multiple pressures, a sack, and tackles for loss on limited snaps, signaling his potential as a key player in the Bills' defensive front.
• The Bills' defensive backfield demonstrated newfound versatility with players like Dee Alford, Jordan Hancock, and Jalon Kilgore showing the ability to cover multiple roles effectively, enhancing the team's adaptability on defense.
• Free-agent signing Lloyd Cushenberry impressed at center, potentially providing crucial depth if starter Connor McGovern is unavailable early in the season due to injury, benefiting from his experience and familiarity with offensive coordinator Brady.