The Buffalo Bills know they have pressure at this point of the season. They came into Sunday needing to win to keep up in the AFC playoff picture, but also knowing that they control their own destiny in regards to the AFC East.

The Bills defeated the Carolina Panthers on Sunday by a score of 31-14, in a game that featured a lot of good for the Bills with some hiccups and frustrations scattered in there as well.

Bills quarterback Josh Allen finished the game completing 19 of 34 passes for over 200 yards and three touchdowns -- one to Stefon Diggs, the other two to Gabriel Davis.

The Panthers have one of the best defenses in the NFL, so the Bills impressed against their stout defensive line and secondary.

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The offensive line had its struggles, however, as everyone except center Mitch Morse switched positions with the COVID-19 designations to Dion Dawkins and Jon Feliciano. Rookie tackle Spencer Brown had a rough day with multiple holding penalties and a horrible taunting call.

Allen started out his press conference, commending his offensive line with all the substitutions and challenges they faced today.

"I want to first give a shout out to our offensive line," said Allen.

The Bills will now prepare for what is by far the biggest game of the 2021 regular season, traveling to Foxborough to play the New England Patriots.

The Bills are 8-6, while the Patriots are 9-5. If the Bills win, they will take the lead in the AFC East and control their own destiny to win the division. If the Patriots win, they take a two-game lead and likely seal the division for themselves.

Allen, head coach Sean McDermott, as well as safeties Micah Hyde and Jordan Poyer admitted they watched the Patriots-Colts game last night, and all seemed very aware of the importance of the situation at hand.

The Bills won't (chances are) have to deal with a windstorm like both teams had to do in Orchard Park, so it should be interesting to see how that game turns out.

Kickoff in New England next week is at 1 pm.

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