The Buffalo Bills opened their new $2.2 billion Highmark Stadium with a 41-31 win over the Detroit Lions on Thursday Night Football, powered by a five-touchdown performance from Josh Allen
The Bottom Line
Allen threw for 248 yards and three touchdowns, adding 69 yards and two scores on the ground. He became the first player in NFL history with 5+ passing touchdowns and 3+ rushing touchdowns through two games of a season. The Bills scored touchdowns on their first four possessions and never trailed
First Half: Buffalo Sets the Tone
The Bills received the opening kickoff and marched 85 yards in 10 plays, with Allen capping the drive on a 1-yard run—the first regular-season touchdown in the stadium’s history.
Buffalo’s second drive ended with a 43-yard strike to Josh Palmer, who was left wide open after two Lions defenders converged on DJ Moore in the flats. The third possession featured a defensive holding penalty that negated an interception by rookie Skyler Gill-Howard, and Allen found Dawson Knox for a 1-yard score three plays later.
The fourth touchdown came on a 16-yard pass to Dalton Kincaid, giving Buffalo a 27-10 halftime lead. The Bills gained 299 yards in the first half alone
Second Half: Detroit Cuts It to 10, But Can’t Close
The Lions clawed back. Jared Goff hit Amon-Ra St. Brown for a 2-yard score in the third quarter to make it 27-17, then connected with Sam LaPorta early in the fourth to pull within 34-24.
But Buffalo answered each time. Allen’s second rushing touchdown—a 2-yard scramble on a bootleg—capped a 15-play, 75-yard drive that consumed over eight minutes in the third quarter. James Cook sealed it with a 1-yard run with 2:50 remaining.
St. Brown added a late 27-yard touchdown to make the final score look more respectable, but the outcome was never in doubt after the first quarter.
Key Numbers
| Stat | Bills | Lions |
|---|---|---|
| Total Yards | 446 | 355 |
| Rushing Yards | 203 | 66 |
| First Downs | 34 | 24 |
| Time of Possession | 33:45 | 26:15 |
| Turnovers | 0 | 0 |
Buffalo converted 9 of 11 third downs and averaged nearly 7 yards per play.
Lions’ Defense Raises Red Flags
Detroit’s defense has now allowed 72 points over its last six quarters and an overtime period, dating back to a 31-30 overtime win over New Orleans in Week 1. Against Buffalo, the Lions generated almost no pressure on Allen and repeatedly blew coverages in the secondary.
The Lions were also missing two offensive line starters—Blake Miller (knee) and Christian Mahogany (hip)—which limited their ability to establish the run. Jahmyr Gibbs managed just 52 yards rushing on the ground.
What’s Next
Bills (2-0): Host the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday, Sept. 27 at 1 p.m. ET.