Bills vs. Panthers, preseason week 3 open thread

Your Buffalo Bills take the field at Highmark Stadium today for a 1:00 PM EDT scrimmage against the Carolina Panthers to close out the 2024 NFL preseason. Quarterback Josh Allen will be absent entirely this afternoon, as an excused absence keeps him away from Orchard Park, NY.

Head coach Sean McDermott told reporters earlier this week that Buffalo’s starters would not play in today’s game. That means that in addition to key special teams contributors, today’s game will feature an almost exclusive dose of Bills reserves and roster hopefuls trying to make one last good impression before the 2024 NFL regular season.

Bills Mafia is well aware of the story of Lancaster native Joe Andreessen by now. An undrafted free agent who earned a spot on the team’s 91-man roster, Andreessen may have made a solid case to land on the team’s 53-man roster, or practice squad, thanks to a stellar performance against the Pittsburgh Steelers. What will Andreessen show to follow up on his first professional football start last weekend? Is the moment too big for Buffalo Joe — someone who’s manned the green dot on defense to his credit?

In a few hours we’ll see how good his chances are, and how good the chances are for so many players who want to stay with the Bills through September.

Here is your open thread for this afternoon’s game. Be nice to each other, and as always — Go Bills!