The New England Patriots head into Week 8 with a slight advantage in the AFC East standings, holding a one-game lead over the Buffalo Bills. The Patriots are set to face off against rookie quarterback Dillon Gabriel of the Cleveland Browns, while the Bills will encounter a seasoned veteran in Andy Dalton as their opponent.
The Carolina Panthers have listed rookie quarterback Bryce Young as doubtful for Sunday’s match against the Bills due to an ankle injury that has kept him out of practice for three consecutive days. Despite this injury designation, reports indicate that the Panthers have decided on Dalton as their starting quarterback for the game, irrespective of Young’s condition. Sources from The Athletic confirm that Dalton will take the lead in what will be his first start of the season.
Young sustained a high ankle sprain during the Panthers’ narrow victory over the New York Jets last Sunday. With the decision to prioritize Young’s recovery, the Panthers are opting for Dalton, who at nearly 38 years old brings extensive experience to the field. Throughout his 15-season career, Dalton has maintained an 87.5 quarterback rating and has a notable history in the league. In previous outings with the Panthers last season, he managed one win in five starts when Young was benched under controversial circumstances.
For Patriots fans, Dalton’s presence might be viewed with cautious optimism. Young has faced inconsistencies in his third year, recording an average of just 5.8 yards per pass attempt and an overall quarterback rating of 84.4. In a previous match-up against the Patriots this season, Young was limited to 150 passing yards and one touchdown, reflecting his struggles.
Dalton, on the other hand, is well-respected within the league, sitting 26th on the all-time passing yards leaderboard with 39,618 career yards. Bills fans likely remember his pivotal role in securing a playoff berth for the Buffalo team in 2017 when he led the Cincinnati Bengals to a crucial victory over the Baltimore Ravens.
The highly anticipated game between the Bills and Panthers is scheduled to kick off at 1 p.m. ET on Fox, promising an intriguing contest as both teams seek to improve their standing in the season.