The Worksheet, a fantasy football overview by Rich Hribar, breaking down everything you need to know for the Week 15 Carolina Panthers at Buffalo Bills Sunday afternoon game.
| Carolina | Rank | @ | Buffalo | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10.5 | Spread | -10.5 | ||
| 16.5 | Implied Total | 27 | ||
| 19.8 | 24 | Points/Gm | 27.9 | 6 |
| 21.7 | 8 | Points All./Gm | 17.6 | 3 |
| 64.5 | 13 | Plays/Gm | 65.6 | 7 |
| 60.2 | 3 | Opp. Plays/Gm | 60.5 | 4 |
| 4.8 | 30 | Off. Yards/Play | 5.8 | 9 |
| 4.9 | 2 | Def. Yards/Play | 4.8 | 1 |
| 42.84% | 14 | Rush% | 38.57% | 23 |
| 57.16% | 19 | Pass% | 61.43% | 10 |
| 47.00% | 30 | Opp. Rush % | 44.09% | 25 |
| 53.00% | 3 | Opp. Pass % | 55.91% | 8 |
- Carolina has outscored opponents by 49 points in the first quarter (82-39), the largest differential in the league. It is the only quarter they have outscored opponents this season.
- 42.3% (11-of-26) of the Carolina offensive touchdowns have come via passing, the lowest rate in the league.
- 41.7% (10-of-24) of the touchdowns allowed by the Bills defensively have been passing scores, the lowest rate in the league.
- The Panthers have lost 11 games in a row with Cam Newton as their starting quarterback.
- Carolina is 31st in the league in yards gained per possession (26.7 yards).
- The Bills are 0-5 in games decided by seven points or less, the worst record in the league.
- Buffalo is last in the league in rate of receiving yardage gained after the catch (39.7%).
Quarterback
Josh Allen: Allen paced the quarterback position in scoring for the fifth time this season on Sunday, posting 35.2 points against the Bucs. Allen only threw for 5.7 yards per pass attempt as he once again struggled with the blitz but throwing 54 passes and the Bills swerving into Allen as a rusher (12-109-1 rushing) unlocked another ceiling performance for fantasy.
Allen had seven designed runs for 79 yards and a score, but unfortunately came out of Sunday with a toe injury. Allen has downplayed the injury early in the week and is expected to play Sunday, but we will keep an eye on him throughout the week.
We obviously do not want Allen’s mobility compromised greatly, but that feels inevitable at least for this week. The Panthers are also a blitz-heavy defense, which has given Allen the passer some issues. This past Sunday, Allen was blitzed on 32-of-62 dropbacks, the highest rate of any passer in Week 14. When blitzed, Allen averaged 4.3 yards per pass attempt compared to 7.1 Y/A when he was not blitzed by the Bucs. On the season, Allen is now averaging 6.1 Y/A against the blitz, which is 30th in the league. The Panthers blitz on 32.5% of their snaps, which is fourth in the league.
The matchup and Allen’s toe injury are not going to push us off using him as a QB1, but both do add volatility to the equation for Allen.
