Buffalo Bills wide receiver Stevie Johnson has revealed that rookie quarterback EJ Manuel has earned the respect of his teammates.

Manuel threw a 2-yard touchdown pass to Johnson in the dying seconds of the Bills' match against the Carolina Panthers yesterday to secure a dramatic 24-23 win for the AFC East side.

"I'm not surprised. EJ doesn't seem like a rookie. He earned a lot of our respect," Johnson told The AP.

"He was focused. He was locked in. He was in there like a number one quarterback."

The win takes the Bills to 1-1 for the season, while the Panthers have lost their opening two matches.