PHOTOS: Panthers Opening Home Game Recap Against Buffalo Bills
Yesterday marked the first home game for the Panthers’ 2017 season. While it may have provided a win (9-3), it was a game that was survived through field goals and…
Grant Halverson/Getty Images
Grant Halverson/Getty ImagesYesterday marked the first home game for the Panthers' 2017 season. While it may have provided a win (9-3), it was a game that was survived through field goals and left much to be desired. Here are a few key events that made yesterdays game.
Greg Olsen's Broken Foot
Tight end Greg Olsen is set to be out for around six weeks following a foot injury he sustained in the first half. Olsen returned from the locker room on crutches and wearing a boot, after the game he told reporters that his foot was broken and stated "I am going to miss a lot of games."
Last season Greg Olsen became the first tight end in NFL history to have three consecutive seasons with 1,000 yards receiving.
Side Judge Injured
Side judge James Coleman was taken to the Buffalo locker room by training staff after he collided with a Bills coach on the sideline while following a third down completion from QB Tyrod Taylor to RB Mike Tolbert.
Buffalo received an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty on the play and the game continued without a side judge.
Head coach Sean Mcdermott described it as an "unfortunate situation" and stated that "We got to do a better job of staying back." via ESPN
No Touchdowns
The defense of both the Panthers and Bills were in each others faces the entire game. The Panthers kept Tyrod and McCoy subdued while the Bills made a whopping 6 sacks on Newton, almost putting him on the bench.
Graham Gano retains his perfect kicking record for this season making three field goals for the Panthers that ultimately gave them the win.
Close Bills Win
The Bills gave the Panthers a run for their money in the last two minutes of the game ending with Tyrod Taylor making a 38 yard pass to rookie Zay Jones with just 14 seconds remaining on the clock. However the pas was slightly overthrown and Jones was unable to keep his grip on the ball, giving Carolina the win.
Buffalo Bills v Carolina Panthers
CHARLOTTE, NC - SEPTEMBER 17: Cam Newton #1 of the Carolina Panthers reacts after running for a first down against the Buffalo Bills during their game at Bank of America Stadium on September 17, 2017 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
Buffalo Bills v Carolina Panthers
CHARLOTTE, NC - SEPTEMBER 17: Trainers tend to Kelvin Benjamin #13 of the Carolina Panthers after a collision on the end zone during their game against the Buffalo Bills at Bank of America Stadium on September 17, 2017 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
Buffalo Bills v Carolina Panthers
CHARLOTTE, NC - SEPTEMBER 17: Tyrod Taylor #5 of the Buffalo Bills rushes the ball against the Carolina Panthers during their game at Bank of America Stadium on September 17, 2017 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
Buffalo Bills v Carolina Panthers
CHARLOTTE, NC - SEPTEMBER 17: Greg Olsen #88 of the Carolina Panthers walks off the field against the Buffalo Bills during their game at Bank of America Stadium on September 17, 2017 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
Buffalo Bills v Carolina Panthers
Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty ImagesCHARLOTTE, NC - SEPTEMBER 17: Jerry Hughes #55 of the Buffalo Bills sacks Cam Newton #1 of the Carolina Panthers during their game at Bank of America Stadium on September 17, 2017 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
Buffalo Bills v Carolina Panthers
CHARLOTTE, NC - SEPTEMBER 17: Kelvin Benjamin #13 of the Carolina Panthers makes a catch against Leonard Johnson #24 of the Buffalo Bills during their game at Bank of America Stadium on September 17, 2017 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
Buffalo Bills v Carolina Panthers
CHARLOTTE, NC - SEPTEMBER 17: Tyrod Taylor #5 of the Buffalo Bills drops back to pass during a game against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium on September 17, 2017 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
Buffalo Bills v Carolina Panthers
CHARLOTTE, NC - SEPTEMBER 17: Lorenzo Alexander #57 of the Buffalo Bills pressures Cam Newton #1 of the Carolina Panthers during their game at Bank of America Stadium on September 17, 2017 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
Buffalo Bills v Carolina Panthers
CHARLOTTE, NC - SEPTEMBER 17: Ramon Humber #50 of the Buffalo Bills tackles Christian McCaffrey #22 of the Carolina Panthers during their game at Bank of America Stadium on September 17, 2017 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
Buffalo Bills v Carolina Panthers
CHARLOTTE, NC - SEPTEMBER 17: Head coach Sean McDermott of the Buffalo Bills watches his team during their game against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium on September 17, 2017 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
Buffalo Bills v Carolina Panthers
CHARLOTTE, NC - SEPTEMBER 17: Luke Kuechly #59 of the Carolina Panthers walks off the field after beating the Buffalo Bills at Bank of America Stadium on September 17, 2017 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
Buffalo Bills v Carolina Panthers
CHARLOTTE, NC - SEPTEMBER 17: Tyrod Taylor #5 of the Buffalo Bills passes the ball against the Carolina Panthers during their game at Bank of America Stadium on September 17, 2017 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
Buffalo Bills v Carolina Panthers
CHARLOTTE, NC - SEPTEMBER 17: Kelvin Benjamin #13 of the Carolina Panthers gets tackled by Jordan Poyer #21 of the Buffalo Bills during their game at Bank of America Stadium on September 17, 2017 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
Buffalo Bills v Carolina Panthers
CHARLOTTE, NC - SEPTEMBER 17: Cam Newton #1 of the Carolina Panthers passes the ball against the Buffalo Bills at Bank of America Stadium on September 17, 2017 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
Buffalo Bills v Carolina Panthers
CHARLOTTE, NC - SEPTEMBER 17: Zay Jones #11 of the Buffalo Bills reaches for the ball against the Carolina Panthers during their game at Bank of America Stadium on September 17, 2017 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
Buffalo Bills v Carolina Panthers
CHARLOTTE, NC - SEPTEMBER 17: Cam Newton #1 of the Carolina Panthers reacts against the Buffalo Bills during their game at Bank of America Stadium on September 17, 2017 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
Buffalo Bills v Carolina Panthers
CHARLOTTE, NC - SEPTEMBER 17: Christian McCaffrey #22 of the Carolina Panthers makes a catch against Ramon Humber #50 of the Buffalo Bills during their game at Bank of America Stadium on September 17, 2017 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
Buffalo Bills v Carolina Panthers
Grant Halverson/Getty ImagesGrant Halverson/Getty Images
Buffalo Bills v Carolina Panthers
CHARLOTTE, NC - SEPTEMBER 17: E.J. Gaines #28 of the Buffalo Bills upends Ed Dickson #84 of the Carolina Panthers during their game at Bank of America Stadium on September 17, 2017 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
Buffalo Bills v Carolina Panthers
CHARLOTTE, NC - SEPTEMBER 17: Jordan Poyer #21 of the Buffalo Bills pressures Cam Newton #1 of the Carolina Panthers during their game at Bank of America Stadium on September 17, 2017 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
Buffalo Bills v Carolina Panthers
CHARLOTTE, NC - SEPTEMBER 17: Jonathan Stewart #28 of the Carolina Panthers dives over Ramon Humber #50 of the Buffalo Bills for a first down during their game at Bank of America Stadium on September 17, 2017 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
Buffalo Bills v Carolina Panthers
CHARLOTTE, NC - SEPTEMBER 17: Devin Funchess #17 of the Carolina Panthers runs the ball against the Buffalo Bills during their game at Bank of America Stadium on September 17, 2017 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
Buffalo Bills v Carolina Panthers
CHARLOTTE, NC - SEPTEMBER 17: Christian McCaffrey #22 of the Carolina Panthers runs the ball against the Buffalo Bills during their game at Bank of America Stadium on September 17, 2017 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
Buffalo Bills v Carolina Panthers
CHARLOTTE, NC - SEPTEMBER 17: Christian McCaffrey #22 of the Carolina Panthers makes a catch against Ramon Humber #50 of the Buffalo Bills during their game at Bank of America Stadium on September 17, 2017 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
Buffalo Bills v Carolina Panthers
CHARLOTTE, NC - SEPTEMBER 17: Zay Jones #11 of the Buffalo Bills can't make the diving catch on fourth down in the final seconds of a loss to the Carolina Panthers during their game at Bank of America Stadium on September 17, 2017 in Charlotte, North Carolina. The Panthers won 9-3. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
Buffalo Bills v Carolina Panthers
CHARLOTTE, NC - SEPTEMBER 17: Thomas Davis #58 of the Carolina Panthers tackles E.J. Gaines #28 of the Buffalo Bills during their game at Bank of America Stadium on September 17, 2017 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
Buffalo Bills v Carolina Panthers
CHARLOTTE, NC - SEPTEMBER 17: James Bradberry #24 of the Carolina Panthers separates Zay Jones #11 of the Buffalo Bills from the ball during their game at Bank of America Stadium on September 17, 2017 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
Buffalo Bills v Carolina Panthers
CHARLOTTE, NC - SEPTEMBER 17: Jordan Poyer #21 of the Buffalo Bills sacks Cam Newton #1 of the Carolina Panthers during their game at Bank of America Stadium on September 17, 2017 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
Buffalo Bills v Carolina Panthers
CHARLOTTE, NC - SEPTEMBER 17: Captain Munnerlyn #41 of the Carolina Panthers tackles Jordan Matthews #87 of the Buffalo Bills during their game at Bank of America Stadium on September 17, 2017 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
Buffalo Bills v Carolina Panthers
CHARLOTTE, NC - SEPTEMBER 17: Tyrod Taylor #5 of the Buffalo Bills scrambles against the Carolina Panthers during their game at Bank of America Stadium on September 17, 2017 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
