Orchard Park, N.Y. -- It's hard to remember sometimes that Josh Allen is only 22 years old. He's carrying the weight of an entire franchise and city on his shoulders after becoming the highest-drafted quarterback in Buffalo Bills history.

Allen learned a lot from his NFL debut Thursday night at New Era Field, but his biggest takeaway is how much he continues to love the game.

"I got the whole second half, so I went out there and just tried to have fun and tried to learn and try to improve," Allen said. "I love this game even more. To get out here and throw with our guys and to trust my lineman and execute the plays and listen to what (offensive coordinator Brian) Daboll is talking about in the huddle, it's something I always wanted to do my entire life."

#Bills rookie QB @JoshAllenQB reacts to his first game in front of the #billsmafia pic.twitter.com/WSQNm0kOLQ — Buffalo Bills News (@billsupdates) August 10, 2018

Allen may not have gained any ground in the highly scrutinized Bills quarterback battle against the Carolina Panthers in the Bills' preseason opener, but he flashed the goods.

On Allen's first play, he faked a hand off, dropped back and launched a 60-plus-yard bomb down the left sideline looking for rookie wide receiver Robert Foster. It was about five yards long, but Bills fans across social media started tweeting out their favorite emojis in reaction to the cannon.

Allen's toughness, arm strength and mobility have been on display during training camp, but it's a whole other ballgame when the opposing defense is trying to bring you down. Allen was playing against Carolina's third-team defense, but he looked the part. That's the most important result the Bills can hope for during this preseason.

Let's face it: It doesn't seem like Bills general manager Brandon Beane and coach Sean McDermott are in any hurry to rush Allen to starter status. The former Wyoming quarterback went four straight practices before Thursday's game without a first-team rep.

So what can be learned from Allen's third team reps? Not everything.

He's playing against third-teamers and he's playing with third-teamers. But leading a fourth-quarter drive to score a late touchdown is a sign that Allen may have the goods.

Nathan Peterman and A.J. McCarron played better than most probably anticipated going into the game. If the two veterans continue to make plays, one of them will hold off Allen come September and the start of the regular season.

Until he gets the job and is thrust into the franchise quarterback role, let's remember that he's new at all of this. He's going to have some good plays and bad plays in every game. But he's going to be the Bills quarterback soon enough, and it's a gig he seems to dig.

"It was really cool," Allen said about seeing the fans in action at New Era Field. "The Bills Mafia came out in full force tonight for a preseason game so it's good to see that and I'm excited to see what game one is going to look like."