The Buffalo Bills clocked into work for the second time in the regular season during the 2026 NFL campaign and came out on top.
In Week 2, the Bills (2-0) took a rolled at home against the Detroit Lions (1-1) in a 41-31 win. It was a big win for the debut of the team's new home at Highmark Stadium.
Despite that, did the Bills earn high marks across the board for their effort?
With that, here are Bills Wire's Week 2 report card:
Run offense: A
After a slower start in Week 1, running back James Cook played a big part for the Bills against the Lions. He had 135 yards on the ground, averaging 6.4 yards per carry with a touchdown. Detroit could not stop quarterback Josh Allen, either. He had two more scores.
Pass offense: A
Aside from the injury to wide receiver DJ Moore, nothing went
wrong for the Bills in the air. Allen had three more scores in the air, including another improvisation play to receiver Josh Palmer on a play where he was simply a decoy down the middle of the field but ended up wide open down the middle.
The Bills scored touchdowns on their first four drives on offense. The Lions did not stand a chance after that.
Run defense: B+
Detroit leans heavily on running back Jahmyr Gibbs. Usually he's on an offense that can go back-and-forth with most, but they could not with the Bills. Because of that early scoring streak for Buffalo, the Bills' run defense was rarely tested.
The Lions tried to get Gibbs going and did see some momentum for one series, he couldn't. The Bills held Gibbs to just 52 yards rushing as he averaged only 3.3 yards per carry.
Pass defense: C
The Bills still struggle to cover receivers over the middle of the field. The Lions have one of the best wideouts out of the slot in Amon-Ra St. Brown and he had nine catches for 142 yards and two touchdowns. The pass rush had better spells against Detroit quarterback Jared Goff, but he did seem to find a rhythm eventually.
Special teams: B-
Sam Franklin committed a penalty on the opening kickoff, the first ever flag at Highmark Stadium. Coverage was not a problem otherwise.
Kicker Tyler Bass had a few blunders but converted otherwise. Bass missed an extra point and put his first kickoff into the end zone and giving the Lions 35 free yards.
Playing against his former team, punt returner Greg Dortch helped this grade. He had a 25-yard gainer.
This article originally appeared on Bills Wire: Report card: Bills defeat Lions in Week 2, 41-31
