Top 3 Things We Learned

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Top 3 things we learned from Bills vs. Panthers | 2024 Preseason

Aug 24, 2024 at 07:31 PM

Alec White

Content Coordinator

Ben DiNucci hands off to Darrynton Evans. Buffalo Bills vs Carolina Panthers, Preseason, August 24, 2024 at Highmark Stadium.

The Buffalo Bills concluded their 2024 NFL preseason slate with a 31-26 loss to the Carolina Panthers.

The Bills rested all of their starters for the final preseason game, giving their backups plenty of run with roster decisions looming next week.

Here's what we learned from the preseason finale:

1 — DiNucci leads Buffalo's 1st TD drive of preseason

It took nearly 10 quarters of football, but the Bills finally found the end zone during the preseason. Signed to the team less than two weeks ago, it was QB Ben DiNucci who got the start and engineered the scoring drive, taking the Bills on a 6-play, 61-yard trip that culminated in an 18-yard TD pass to RB Darrynton Evans in the second quarter.

DiNucci started the series with a nine-yard pass to WR Deon Cain, then RB Frank Gore Jr. got the Bills into Carolina territory with a 17-yard gain on the ground. Cain picked up another 12 yards on a reception from DiNucci and Gore got another five to get the ball into the red zone.

On 3rd and five, RB Darryton Evans ran a route out of the backfield and DiNucci found the RB in space where Evans caught the ball in stride, made a tackler miss and waltzed into the end zone for the score.

"He just looks like he's in command," Bills head coach Sean McDermott said of DiNucci. "Not phased by anything. It wasn't too big and played smart football."

DiNucci completed 11 of 15 passes for 76 yards against the Panthers. He finished his two appearances going 14 of 20 for 106 yards.

DiNucci played the entire first half before giving way to QB Anthony Brown who finished the game. Brown signed with the Bills Tuesday and went 11 of 12 passing for 102 yards in his Buffalo debut.

Brown didn't throw a touchdown pass but did lead the Bills on two scoring drives in the second half that ended with rushing touchdowns by Frank Gore Jr. and KJ Hamler.

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Panthers 31, Bills 26 | Final score, stats to know + highlights

2 — Gore Jr. & Evans combine for over 100 total yards and two scores

Undrafted rookie Frank Gore Jr. and veteran Darrynton Evans paved the way for the Bills backfield, combining for 144 total scrimmage yards and two touchdowns. Gore Jr. led all rushers in the game with 101 yards on 18 carries and Evans tied for the team lead in receiving yards with 28.

"Ran hard and gave us some juice in there," McDermott shared about Gore Jr.

Frank Gore Sr., 5-time Pro Bowl RB and father of Gore Jr., made the trip to Buffalo and watched as his son had his first 100-yard game. He posted "That's my boy!!!" on X after watching Gore Jr. rip off a 17-yard run in the second quarter. The two had a quick embrace on the field after the game.

This is what it's all about. 💙❤️#FootballisFamily | #BillsMafia pic.twitter.com/etcAkCFTdD
— Buffalo Bills (@BuffaloBills) August 24, 2024

"It was cool. I'm used to it now. He's been to a lot of games of mine," Gore Jr. said in the locker room after the game. "But it's pretty cool to see him after the game."

Gore Jr. credited his offensive line for helping him feel comfortable throughout the day and allowing the rookie to run confidently. Gore Jr. had 41 rushing yards in the first half, then carried the ball 11 times in the second half for 60 yards and a touchdown.

The 5-foot-8, 195-pound back had a great series in the second half where he accounted for 41 of Buffalo's 60 yards on the drive, including a five-yard touchdown run where his strong effort pushed him over the goal line.

"I wanted to score so bad, so I just stuck my foot and whoever was in the way, just lowered my head," Gore Jr. said.

Unfortunately for both Evans and Gore Jr., both players had to leave the game with injuries. Evans missed the entire second half with a hamstring and Gore Jr. left in the fourth quarter with a knee injury.

McDermott said postgame that he did not have an additional update on either player at the time.

3 — Bills go for two twice… and convert both

It's the preseason, so why not go for two when you can? That's what the Bills did for each after each of their first two touchdowns, and they were successful on both tries.

Initially, Buffalo kicked the extra point after its first touchdown in the second quarter but Carolina was flagged for an illegal formation which put the ball at the 1-yard line. The Bills took advantage of the favorable spot and DiNucci lofted pass to the left side to TE Tre McKitty who made a juggling catch for the conversion.

The Bills went for two again later in the game, this time without any added help from their opponent.

Following the touchdown run from Gore Jr., QB Anthony Brown connected with undrafted rookie Xavier Johnson on a well-placed ball in traffic.