After starting the season with a bang in Houston, Buffalo hosts its first game at the new Highmark Stadium. A fan poll earlier this month let Bills Mafia choose the end zones for the opening game, and, to no one’s surprise, the red end zones won.
Now, to the game itself: Detroit comes in after a strange Week 1, barely surviving an upset after the New Orleans Saints came oh so close to finishing a comeback.
Stats to Know
Let’s take a look at each team’s offense. The Buffalo Bills rank 6th in the league in total yards per game (409.0) and 5th in points per game (36.0) after a Week 1 that tied the NFL for its most points scored in an opening week. The Detroit Lions, meanwhile, rank 12th in yards per game (369.0). The Lions are also T-8th in points per game (31.0)—a 40-yard difference and a 5-point advantage in Buffalo’s favor.
Now, let’s take a look at how their defenses stack up in this matchup. Buffalo’s defense ranks 23rd in yards allowed per game (381.0). The Bills rank T-23rd with 31.0 points allowed per game. Detroit, meanwhile, ranks 29th in the league through week 1 in yards allowed (469.0) and 22nd in points allowed per game (30.0). Buffalo’s defense, on average, allows about 88 fewer yards but allows just 1 more point per game than the Lions.
Usually, this is where I would average it all out and maybe offer insight on a bet or two, but with only one week under the belt, we need a bigger sample size. Now, the last time these two powerhouses matched up, it was a game for the ages. The Bills beat the Lions 48-42 that day, and although it was in the 2024 season, both teams’ offenses are still fairly similar, apart from Buffalo adding DJ Moore and Detroit losing then-OC Ben Johnson.
Who’s Hot & Who’s Cold
As always, let’s look at some hot and cold players on both teams heading into this playoff matchup.
- DJ Moore had a dominant Week 1 in his first game representing Buffalo with 5 receptions, 100 yards, and a TD. There’s no doubt that his number will be called upon even more this week to keep up with Detroit’s explosive offense.
- Christian Benford had one of the worst showings of his career, and surprisingly, nobody is talking about it. Benford was thrown at 7 times on Sunday, and all 7 passes ended in receptions for 73 yards and 2 TDs. Benford must be better this week; unfortunately, he’s facing an even better offense.
- Jahmyr Gibbs is a future Hall of Famer. He and Bijan are different animals when they step onto the field. In Week 1, Gibbs opened the season right with 186 total yards and 2 TDs. If the Bills lose, Gibbs will be the reason.
- Jameson Williams had a decent game, racking up 4 receptions for 45 yards, but what’s not so great is that it took 9 targets to get there. If Isaac Tesla, who I easily could’ve put here, is going to play 32 passing snaps and record 0 receptions, Williams needs to step up and be that guy alongside Amon-Ra St. Brown.
Game Predictions
I predict the defensive coordinators will have a nightmare when they go to sleep Thursday night. In all seriousness, I have the Buffalo Bills narrowly defeating the Detroit Lions 38-35. Maxwell Harrison gets his first pick of the season, and Jahmyr Gibbs has 140 total yards.
Other Content
Check out all of my previous articles, along with future Buffalo Bills and fantasy content, available here: {Articles}, and make sure to use code DL10 for 10% off all memberships! Also, tune in to YouTube to view our most recent video, where we discuss how different the AFC West looks after Week 1.
