Down 14-0 with just under five minutes to go in the first half, the Carolina Panthers looked as if they were about eat a full-on avalanche from the Buffalo Bills. But a few slick plays gave them a way out.
On a 1st & 10 from the Buffalo 22-yard line, Panthers safety Jeremy Chinn picked off Bills quarterback Josh Allen. Chinn, whose phenomenally athletic play gave him his second career interception, set Carolina up in opposing territory at the 37.
Jeremy Chinn was READY for this pick!
📺: FOX pic.twitter.com/DwAnWugUYG
— Carolina Panthers (@Panthers) December 19, 2021
The very next play would then see some trickery from offensive coordinator Jeff Nixon. Nixon dialed up a little end-around action for wideout Robby Anderson. Anderson tied a career-high on a 30-yard rush to get the Panthers down deep into the red zone.
Robby Anderson turned on the 𝓳𝓮𝓽𝓼…
📺; FOX pic.twitter.com/HBoZVKgAyk
— Carolina Panthers (@Panthers) December 19, 2021
Then, quarterback Cam Newton did the rest. Newton punched in 4-yard rushing score, his fifth of the campaign, to cut the lead to 14-6 at the 1:48 mark of the second quarter.
We love Cam Newton touchdowns!
📺: FOX pic.twitter.com/H2Yr3Xo634
— Carolina Panthers (@Panthers) December 19, 2021
He would subsequently find receiver DJ Moore on a beautiful throw and catch for a two-point conversion because—remember—there’s no Zane Gonzalez.
✌️ for ✌️
📺: FOX pic.twitter.com/jAYJ22Jb5R
— Carolina Panthers (@Panthers) December 19, 2021
Following a field goal by Buffalo’s Tyler Bass 26-yard to close out the quarter, the Panthers went into the break down 17-8.
