Sounds like an excellent time to perform a tactical retreat. Come back later when buffs run out.
Blech - it sounds more like the time for a tactical retreat from the "caster uber alles" edition, which is what 5E did. Pathfinder is still available if for those who want to track 12 different buff effects and spend 20 minutes recalculating something's stats after a mass dispel in the middle of a fight. I dont want PC's to have that capability, because then it devolves back into a magical buff arms race.
To me, limiting caster powers is part of the appeal of 5E. You wanna do things no mundane character can do, like talk with the dead and read minds and create illusions? You pay the premiums for breaking the laws of reality and repicking your superpowers after a nap. The fighter or rogue is locked into doing the same limited actions every day. If they are better at doing whatever they do than a wizard, GOOD. Because the wizard can pick something different to do the next day (in addition to doing things they simply can't. No matter what your acrobatics check is, you aren't walking through a wall). The swiss army knife should never be a task than the single purpose tool. Fighters pretty much have jack squat in their corner for class based out of combat utility (all classes can RP solutions and select skills). They deal damage, and are slightly more survivable than most other classes. So they should probably be the high water mark for single target damage. No caster, not even an evoker (who still gets non evocation type magical utility and versatility), should touch that.
Part of the issue Karinsdad is facing is in selecting Abjurer, which to me feels hands down the worst of the specializations. Its main benefit is in shoring up a weakness, when in a team based RPG, its almost always better to capitalize on a strength.
In Celtivian's case, the damage the fighter/paladin did above and beyond what they would have done shooting their bows at the dragon is effectively yours, by virtue of your enabling their attacks.
My current 5E character is a bard/shai'ir (homebrew warlock pact). My main contribution isn't damage, but using rituals/illusions/charms to great effect in social situations, investigation, etc. Heck, the minor illusion cantrip alone can be really amazing if used well.