Vote For The Play That Best Highlights Bills Declawing The Panthers

The 2025 Buffalo Bills season has been written, but the book is incomplete. Before we cast our full attention toward the 2026 season, let’s take one last glance back over our shoulder for our annual look at the Plays That Defined the prior campaign.

For any newcomers, first and foremost; Welcome! When it comes to the “rules” of this exercise, we’re not voting for our favorite highlight necessarily, but the one that best captures the essence of the game. Put differently, if you had to choose just one play to show someone to explain as much of the contest as possible, which would you choose?

Week 8; Buffalo Bills at Carolina Panthers

After a two-game skid, the Buffalo Bills had the fortune of a bye week followed a trip a little bit south to take on the Carolina Panthers. The game was close through the middle of the second quarter when the Bills kicked into high gear and the Panthers decided they were no longer interested in the game of football.

Big play after big play from both sides of the ball resulted in one of the more lopsided affairs in recent memory. When the dust settled, Buffalo had won 40 – 9, with six of the Panthers’ points coming way too late to be meaningful.

Ed Oliver sack (Q1; 13:42)

If there was one person who definitely was not having fun, it was Andy Dalton. Starting with this one by Ed Oliver, the Bills took Dalton down seven times for 45 yards. This sack ended the Panthers’ first drive and set the tone for the day.

James Cook touchdown (Q2; 7:35)

The second quarter is about half over when this play starts and the score is 6 – 3 in favor of Buffalo. Hardly a rout over a third of the way through the game. James Cook found an opening and took the souls of the Panthers along for the ride. After this play, the Bills’ offense became nearly unstoppable.

A.J. Epenesa interception (Q2; 1:58)

And the defense was unstoppable all game. This was the second of three turnovers in the game and all A.J. Epenesa. If there’s any surprise here it’s that he didn’t take it to the house.

Josh Allen touchdown (Q2; 1:52)

I tossed this touchdown in because it’s rare to see Josh Allen standing so casually upright at the end of it. It’s not even halftime and the Panthers seem to have given up.

Khalil Shakir touchdown (Q3; 12:28)

The effort didn’t come back after the break either it would seem. Also, Khalil Shakir is damn good. We’re so used to seeing him shake loose on plays like this, it’s barely even a surprise.

Michael Hoecht forced fumble (Q3; 4:50)

I really, really, really hope that Michael Hoecht comes back to the form we saw him at oh so briefly last season. Who wouldn’t want more of this?

Which play best defines the Bills’ victory?