The last time the Buffalo Bills and Detroit Lions squared off, Josh Allen and Buffalo’s offense won a shootout at Ford Field, prevailing 48-42 in Week 15 of the 2024 NFL season.
Coming off Week 1 performances where both the Bills and Lions eclipsed 30 points in season-opening victories—Buffalo beat Houston 36-31 while Detroit held off New Orleans 31-30 in overtime—Thursday night’s home opener and debut of the new Highmark Stadium between these two prolific offenses should once again feature plenty
of points.
Today’s edition of Buffalo Rumblinks leads off by sharing the key matchups to watch and positional analysis as the Bills look to start the season 2-0 for the sixth time in the last eight years.
Check out the assessments below and then let us know your thoughts on the game in the comments section.
Bills vs. Lions storylines to watch
Linked below: Breaking down the key story lines to watch, including how Josh Allen and the Buffalo offense should be poised for plenty of big plays against a Lions defense missing three quarters of its starting secondary; what defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard plans to do to fix the “very correctable” issues that plagued Buffalo in its season-opening win; and the unique challenges presented by a high-flying Lions offense led by quarterback Jared Goff, running back Jahmyr Gibbs, and wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown; and how the Bills and Lions have found success turning to a trick play: the hook-and-lateral.
We also hear from Allen, outside linebacker Greg Rousseau, wide receiver Khalil Shakir, linebacker Dorian Williams, right tackle Spencer Brown, and linebacker Joe Andreessen on what they’re looking forward to from Buffalo’s first game inside its new stadium.
- Buffalo Bills vs. Lions: What to know about Detroit ahead of Thursday Night Football – newyorkupstate.com
- Top storylines for Bills vs. Lions – BuffaloBills.com
- Bills, Lions look ready to light up Highmark Stadium in shootout – Democrat & Chronicle
- Bills get their first test run on new Highmark Stadium grass field – Buffalo News (subscription required)
- Jim Leonhard on Bills defense debut as prep begins for Lions: ‘We’re closer than it looked’ – newyorkupstate.com
- Bills’ defense escaped Houston. Detroit may not be so forgiving – Democrat & Chronicle
- Bills notebook: Jim Leonhard sees Buffalo defense as ‘very correctable’ – Buffalo News (subscription required)
- Three Things Buffalo Bills Must Improve in Week 2 vs. Detroit Lions – Sports Illustrated Buffalo Bills
- Buffalo Bills ready to break in Highmark Stadium in Thursday night opener against Lions – WGRZ
- Greg Rousseau On What To Expect From Thursday Night Football Against The Detroit Lions – BuffaloBills.com
- Josh Allen Talks The Excitement Around The First Game in Highmark Stadium – BuffaloBills.com
- Khalil Shakir On Preparing For Home Opener – BuffaloBills.com
- Spencer Brown Talks The Challenges Facing Detroit Thursday Night – BuffaloBills.com
- Dorian Williams On The Defense’s Performance In Week 1 and Looking Ahead to Week 2 – BuffaloBills.com
- Joe Andreessen On The First Regular Season Game At Highmark Stadium – BuffaloBills.com
- Why the Bills keep turning to the hook-and-lateral — and why it keeps working – The Athletic (subscription required)
Even more Bills news
Examining where the Bills find themselves in the NFL power rankings after a Week 1 win over the Houston Texans. Plus, how Bills fans can support Josh Allen’s charitable efforts for the Golisano Children’s Hospital; how the workers who helped build new Highmark Stadium will be featured in an upcoming documentary; and more!
- Buffalo Bills power rankings: Experts react to Week 1 win over Houston Texans – newyorkupstate.com
- NFL Week 2 power rankings: Rams, Chargers slide as 49ers, Bears and Giants surge – The Athletic (subscription required)
- NFL Power Rankings: Our post-Week 1 poll of all 32 teams, plus the best non-QB debuts – ESPN.com
- NFL Power Rankings, Week 2: Seahawks leapfrog Broncos and Rams into No. 1 spot; Chiefs hit top 10 – NFL.com
- NFL Power Rankings entering Week 2 – Yahoo! Sports
- 2026 NFL Power Rankings Week 2 – Fox Sports
- NFL power rankings for Week 2: New MVP challenger puts team in elite company – New York Post
- Prisco’s NFL Week 2 Power Rankings: Rams and Cowboys get a wake-up call – CBS Sports
- Josh Allen’s new charity hat for Golisano Children’s just dropped and Bills fans are already racing to get it – newyorkupstate.com
- They helped build the new Bills stadium. Now they’re the stars of a documentary – Buffalo News (subscription required)
- WNY Schools to let out early for Bills Home Opener – WGRZ
Buffalo Bills articles recently featured on Buffalo Rumblings
- Bills looking to make statement in home opener against Lions in Week 2 – Buffalo Rumblings
- Exploring Lions tendencies ahead of game vs. Bills – Buffalo Rumblings
- Update on DJ Moore leaving Tuesday’s practice – Buffalo Rumblings
- All-22 analysis: Offensive skill positions shined vs. Texans – Buffalo Rumblings
- Let’s keep an eye on coverage diversity in Jim Leonhard’s scheme – Buffalo Rumblings
- Bills at Texans snap counts: TEs take over, defense logs 79 snaps – Buffalo Rumblings
- Josh Allen earns Week 1 game ball after leading Buffalo to win in Houston – Buffalo Rumblings
- Bills-Texans looked like an AFC Championship preview in Week 1, and Buffalo was a step ahead – Buffalo Rumblings
- Can you guess this Bills safety in today’s in-5 trivia game – Buffalo Rumblings
- Feed Post of the Day: What do you want to know about the Detroit Lions? – Buffalo Rumblings
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