The Buffalo Bills victory last Sunday did many things for the franchise. First and foremost, it snapped a three game losing streak and an eight game winless streak against AFC East opponents. Secondly, it took some heat off of head coach Dick Jauron for at least a week. But the biggest thing that happened was the loss of starting quarterback Trent Edwards to injury, which thrusts backup signal caller Ryan Fitzpatrick in to the lineup.

So for the Bills second consecutive road game, what can the team expect from Fitzpatrick and company against the disappointing 2-3 Carolina Panthers? It's time to take an in-depth look at Buffalo's next opponents.

Offense

The Carolina Panthers offensive unit has been marred by a disjointed nature. The team has the talent at certain skill positions to have a defense fear them. But it has been the turnovers due to the regression of their once prominent quarterback that has gotten this offense stuck in the mud. The Panthers turnover difference this season is an abysmal minus-10 through just five games. Carolina averages only 17 points per game because of this fact, which ranks them 24th in the NFL. The passing game has watered down the total yardage statistics, because the Panthers only average 158.8 yards per game, the fourth worst average in the league. But there is at least one positive that the Bills have to take a special note of. Carolina ranks 8th in the NFL in rushing yards per game, including a 267 yard outburst just last week. On third downs, the Panthers average about the same conversion percentage (37.1%) as the Bills' defense allows (36.8%).

Quarterback: It's safe to say that Jake Delhomme has seen better years. The former Super Bowl runner up has fallen from the upper echelon of quarterbacks, and is now struggling to hang on to his starting job. Delhomme now completes only 59.4 percent of his passes, and has thrown for just 847 yards in five games this season. But the statistic that's most chilling for nearly all Carolina fans is the touchdown to interception ratio. Delhomme has thrown 10 interceptions to just four touchdowns. The Bills secondary, especially after a five interception performance last week, could severely take advantage of Delhomme's new found poor decision making. That is only if the Panthers don't run them to death.

Running Back: Carolina boasts two stud running backs for their ground game. DeAngelo Williams was taken in the first round to replace Stephen Davis and DeShaun Foster. Then after a couple of years of not making a significant impact, the Panthers then took Jonathan Stewart out of Oregon in 2008. That was all the motivation Williams needed, rushing for 1,515 yards and 18 touchdowns last season, averaging 5.5 yards per carry along the way. This year Williams has tailed off a bit averaging only 4.2 yards per carry, but still can break out a huge performance like we saw last week. Against Tampa Bay, Williams rushed for 152 yards, bringing his season total to 372 on the season. He also has 4 touchdowns. Jonathan Stewart gets about 40 percent of the carries. On the season, the second year man averages 5 yards per carry and has 248 yards with two touchdowns. Stewart also jumped in on the action last week, running for 110 yards, but Stewart is questionable for this weekend. The Bills certainly have their hands full with this pair if Stewart can give it a go. Buffalo is dead last against the run in the NFL, allowing 181.8 yards per game.

Wide Receivers / Tight Ends: In all of the Panthers' struggles in the passing attack, the one guy you have to feel for is wideout Steve Smith. He is by far one of the most intense NFL players, and often times wears his heart on his sleeve. Smith after last week's win was frustrated after a one catch for four yards performance, saying that he's no longer a weapon in this offense. Smith is still one of the best in the league, but is going through a tumultuous season with 21 catches for 259 yards and no touchdowns. Opposite him is Mushin Muhammad. He's caught the most passes (22) for 205 yards and no touchdowns. All four of Delhomme's touchdown passes have been to tight ends. The one Buffalo should be aware of is Donte Rosario, who is the more athletic tight end on the roster. He has two touchdowns, as does tight end Jeff King.

Offensive Line: The blocking unit for Carolina has been just about average this season in pass protection. The Panthers have allowed 13 sacks so far this season, but it's the run game where they excel. Led by left tackle Jordan Gross, this unit springs the run game to be in the top ten of the NFL. With center Ryan Kalil likely to double team Marcus Stroud on most plays, that will leave Kyle Williams in a one-on-one matchup with left guard Travelle Wharton, a winnable matchup for Williams.

Defense

Carolina certainly has some pieces to the defensive puzzle, but isn't there just yet. The defensive line has struggled since trading away defensive tackle Kris Jenkins to the New York Jets. The once stout Panthers defense now ranks 29th against the run, allowing a whopping 149.2 yards per game. They also rank among the worst in points allowed, letting opponents average 25 points per game (27th). The Panthers actually struggle more to get off the field on third down than Buffalo does. Carolina allows third down conversions 41.4 percent of the time, but they haven't yet faced the Bills, who convert only 27.5 percent of all third down chances.

Defensive Line: The Carolina Panthers may have only 13 sacks as a team this season, but they possess one of the most feared defensive ends in all of football, Julius Peppers. Peppers terrorizes defenses on a weekly basis, averaging one sack per game for a total of five so far this season. He also has 21 tackles and two forced fumbles on the year. This may be the most important matchup of the game, and it's whether or not Demetrius Bell can contain Peppers for the most part on Sunday. If he can't, the pass game that everyone is excited to see with Ryan Fitzpatrick at the helm, will be nonexistent. That's also how you can describe the three other starters of the defensive line. Tyler Brayton, Damione Lewis and Hollis Thomas have no sacks this season. Heads up for rookie Everette Brown who comes in on passing situations. He has one sack and two forced fumbles in 2009.

Linebackers: This is probably the strongest defensive group the Panthers have, but injuries might say otherwise this weekend. Jon Beason is one of the best young middle linebackers in all of football. Beason is an explosive tackler that blows up plays and can make a game changing play every so often. Beason has 34 tackles, two sacks and an interception this season. The team's leading tackler is the young safety turned linebacker named Thomas Davis. He has 48 total tackles, as well as two sacks and an interception. But Davis is questionable with a hamstring injury. Anyone who has had a hamstring injury knows that those don't like to go away quickly. If he can't go, James Anderson will get the start. Na'il Diggs usually starts as well, but he's also questionable with a rib injury. Landon Johnson will start for him if he can't play.

Defensive Backs: This group has struggled only in the turnover category. As a whole, Carolina is only allowing 156.8 yards per game through the air, the 2nd best in that category. The starting cornerbacks are Richard Marshall and Chris Gamble. Marshall is the only Carolina defensive back with an interception in 2009. But he and Gamble provide a nice duo to cover the oppositions' top wideouts. Rookie Captain Munnerlyn is the team's nickel back. At the safety positions. Charles Godfrey anticipates the run plays well, accounting for 21 tackles and a forced fumble. Opposite him is safety Chris Harris.

Special Teams

The main kick returner is wideout Kenny Moore. He's recently taken over those duties from rookie running back Mike Goodson. Moore has a 24.7 yards per return average, and a long of 55 yards. Captain Munnerlyn handles the punt returns, averaging 12 yards per return. John Kasay has seemingly been kicking for Carolina since the franchise started, or so it seems. He's 4 for 5 this season, with his only miss coming from beyond 50 yards. Punter Jeff Baker averages 48.4 yards with a long of 61, but the Panthers have allowed a blocked punt this season.

Penalties

Buffalo remains one of the most penalized teams in the NFL. They average a whopping 7.2 penalties for 54.8 yards. On the other hand, Carolina is among the most disciplined in that regard, averaging just 5 penalties for 36.4 yards.

History

The Bills and Panthers have only played four times, with the Bills winning three of those games. The Panthers won the last meeting, a 13 to 9 win on November 27, 2005. The last Buffalo win came in 2001, and was one of only three wins for the Bills that season. Ironically, Alex Van Pelt led the Bills to a 25-24 victory with 277 yards passing and a touchdown. The Panthers were 1-12 after that loss, meanwhile the Bills were 2-10.

Injuries

Carolina: QUESTIONABLE: LB Thomas Davis, LB Na'il Diggs, FB Brad Hoover, K Rhys Lloyd, HB Jonathan Stewart

Buffalo: OUT: QB Trent Edwards, S Bryan Scott, OT Jonathan Scott, S Donte Whitner. DOUBTFUL: TE Shawn Nelson. QUESTIONABLE: DT Kyle Williams. PROBABLE: CB Terrence McGee, DE Chris Kelsay.

Pivotal Matchups

S Jairus Byrd vs. QB Jake Delhomme

OT Demetrius Bell vs. DE Julius Peppers

DT Kyle Williams vs. OG Travelle Wharton

Final Thoughts

Heading in to this matchup, it looks as though this game is winnable for the Buffalo Bills. Just a week ago, the team forced six interceptions, but were lucky to come away with a victory after an abysmal performance on offense. If the team can't capitalize on chances stemming from turnovers, the team likely won't walk out of North Carolina with a victory. Marshawn Lynch and Fred Jackson will have to be successful early on against a weak Carolina defense to take some pressure off of Ryan Fitzpatrick and the passing game against an above average cornerback duo.

If the Bills win this one, the team will creep back to respectability. However, if they aren't successful, Buffalo will be 2-5, and have to face the Houston Texans, one of the best offenses in the NFL at home the very next week. Not to mention the hot seat for Dick Jauron will only get hotter.

E-mail: JoeB@wgr550.com