Three takeaways from Carolina’s loss to Buffalo

CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - AUGUST 16: Head coach Ron Rivera of the Carolina Panthers looks on against the Buffalo Bills in the first quarter during the preseason game at Bank of America Stadium on August 16, 2019 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - AUGUST 16: Head coach Ron Rivera of the Carolina Panthers looks on against the Buffalo Bills in the first quarter during the preseason game at Bank of America Stadium on August 16, 2019 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /
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CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA – AUGUST 16: Kyle Allen #7 of the Carolina Panthers looks on against the Buffalo Bills in the first half during the preseason game at Bank of America Stadium on August 16, 2019 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA – AUGUST 16: Kyle Allen #7 of the Carolina Panthers looks on against the Buffalo Bills in the first half during the preseason game at Bank of America Stadium on August 16, 2019 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /

Quarterbacks (and pretty much everyone else) struggle

It wasn’t a good sign when Kyle Allen, who impressed at the end of last season and early in camp and Week 1, came out struggling, missing wide open receivers and going just 4-11 for 32 yards. At first, you would’ve thought this would open the door for Will Grier for an opportunity to get a hold on the backup quarterback job, but he then threw an ill-advised pick six in double coverage on just his second throw and didn’t do a whole lot to make up for it.

Taylor Heinicke, who has been seen as the lowest on the totem pole in this competition, actually looked the best of the three last night, going 8/12 for 78 yards and the team’s lone touchdown on a 9-yard strike to former AAF standout Rashad Ross. The team needs more consistency from the quarterbacks throughout the rest of preseason, otherwise Carolina may be forced to add a free agent to that room.

Once again, the offensive line didn’t do the quarterbacks many favors, though. Second round pick Greg Little showed why he has struggled to crack the starting lineup, missing blocks in both the passing a running game at left tackle throughout the game. His teammates in the trenches didn’t fare much better, giving up pressures all night as the Bills combined for three sacks on the game. Barring a drastic improvement from Little, the starting offensive line appears to be set at Daryl Williams, Greg Van Roten, Matt Paradis, Trai Turner and Taylor Moton.

With Kuechly and Thompson out, we saw mixed results from the linebacking corps as well. This group was plagued by missed tackles and blown coverages all night, but did have its moments, with Jermaine Carter bouncing back with a couple of nice open field tackles while sharing the team lead with seven tackles with fellow linebacker Jordan Kunaszyk, while Jared Norris forced a fumble that Andre Smith recovered.