The new $2.2 billion Highmark Stadium will be the venue for two historic firsts this week.
When the Buffalo Bills host the Detroit Lions on Thursday, it marks both the first regular-season game and the first prime-time game in the new stadium. Fans should see plenty of fireworks in what NFL experts think will be a shootout between two high-powered offenses.
The Bills come into the game on a high after a wild 36-31 victory over the Houston Texans last week. Meanwhile, the Lions needed overtime to beat the New Orleans Saints, 31-30.
The early predictions are in, and NFL analysts are leaning heavily toward Buffalo.
Bills vs. Lions odds, betting lines
(Odds as of Tuesday afternoon)
- Buffalo is a 4.5-point favorite.
- The over/under is 53.5 points.
- The moneyline: Bills -225 (bet $225 to win $100), Lions +188 (bet $100 to win $188).
Democrat and Chronicle: Bills 37, Lions 30
Sal Maiorana writes: "This should be an electric night in Orchard Park as the Bills - after a few soft openings
at their new stadium - turn on the lights for real in prime time. Hopefully, the new field that was just laid down a couple weeks ago holds up, but that might be the least of Detroit’s worries if Buffalo’s offense is as efficient as it was against a great Houston defense.
"The Bills had two scoring drives of 96 yards, becoming one of only five teams to have two of at least 93 yards in the same game, and rather incredibly, one took just three plays and the other only seven. The Lions’ defense isn’t nearly as good as the Texans, and even if the Bills’ defense continues to struggle, Buffalo should have enough firepower to win a shootout."
Detroit Free Press: Bills 28, Lions 23
Dave Birkett writes: "Brad Holmes said he likes the guys the Lions have in the secondary. With no Kerby Joseph or Brian Branch, Josh Allen might like them, too."
AZCentral: Bills 30, Lions 24
Jeremy Cluff writes: "The Bills are playing their first NFL regular season game in the new Highmark Stadium. Expect a lot of fireworks. And expect Josh Allen to be Josh Allen for Buffalo."
Sports Illustrated: Take Lions plus the points
Iain MacMillan writes: "As tempting as it is to back the Bills after how both teams looked in the opening week, I have to do my best not to overreact to a one-game sample size and stick to my belief that the Lions are one of the best teams in the NFL. Their metrics were elite last season, but injuries and poor variance led to them missing the playoffs.
"There's no denying that Josh Allen is once again going to be an MVP candidate, but let's not overlook the fact that their defense allowed the Texans to rack up yards and points against them last week. Their defensive roster is completely different from a year ago, so I didn't know what to expect from them this season, but ranking 19th in opponent EPA per play and 22nd in opponent success rate isn't a good start.
"I'll take the points with Detroit.
"Pick: Lions +4.5 (-110) via BetMGM"
CBS Sports: Bills 38, Lions 31
John Breech writes: "So is there any chance the Bills are going to lose? If Week 1 is any indication, it's certainly possible. The Lions and Bills combined to play zero defense last week. The Bills gave up 31 points to the Texans while the Lions defense gave up 30 to the Saints.
"What I'm trying to say here is that I'm fully expecting a shootout.
"Thursday night games can sometimes turn into a slog, but that usually doesn't apply to the first Thursday game of the season (And yes, I know there was a Thursday game last week, but this is the first Thursday game where the teams are coming in on a short week.). In eight of the past 11 seasons, the first short-week Thursday matchup of that year has been decided by one score. In seven of the past 11 seasons, it's been a game where both teams scored at least 23 points.
"When you think of short-week Thursday games, you think of boring, low-scoring games, but I don't think that's going to be the case here. The last time these two teams played came in 2024 in a game the Bills ended up winning 48-42. We got 90 total points (and) we might top that here. The Over/Under should be set at 104.
"The unfortunate part for the Lions is that their Week 1 game went to overtime, which means not only do they have to play on the road on a short week, but they have to do it after playing an extra 10 minutes on Sunday. That's brutal.
"THE PICK: Bills 38-31 over Lions"
Dimers: Bills 28, Lions 24
Dimers writes: "The numbers give the Lions a win probability of 34.1%, while the Bills have a win probability of 65.9%."
ESPN: Bills win
ESPN analytics give the Bills a 67.1% chance to win.
Bill Wolcott is a producer who helps cover the Buffalo Bills, high school and Rochester sports in general. The lifelong New Yorker has been a journalist for 32 years.
This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: NFL analysts expect a barnburner with Bills vs. Lions: 7 early predictions
