Lions’ Slow Start Proves Costly as Josh Allen, Bills Hand Detroit 41-31 Loss

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. — The Detroit Lions spent most of Thursday night trying to recover from a disastrous opening quarter.

They never quite made it back.

Josh Allen accounted for five touchdowns as the Buffalo Bills defeated Detroit 41-31 in the first regular-season game at the new Highmark Stadium, dropping the Lions to 1-1. Buffalo improved to 2-0. 

Detroit showed some fight after falling behind 21-0, but every time the Lions started threatening to make it a game, Buffalo had an answer.

Buffalo takes control immediately

The problems started on the opening possession.

Allen marched Buffalo 85 yards in 10 plays, using both his arm and legs before scoring the first regular-season touchdown in the new stadium on a 1-yard run. 

Detroit’s response was a three-and-out, with Jared Goff taking a sack on third down.

Buffalo came right back. Allen found Dalton Kincaid for 25 yards before connecting with a wide-open Joshua Palmer for a 43-yard touchdown, putting Detroit behind 14-0 before the first quarter was over. 

Things only got worse in the second.

Detroit appeared to finally create the break it desperately needed when Skyler Gill-Howard came away with an interception off a deflection, but a defensive holding penalty on Rock Ya-Sin erased the turnover. Buffalo eventually capitalized with Allen finding Dawson Knox for a touchdown and a 21-0 lead. 

Gibbs finally gives Detroit a spark

The Lions finally put together something offensively midway through the second quarter.

Detroit went 12 plays and 70 yards, with Jahmyr Gibbs heavily involved before Goff found him for an 11-yard touchdown, cutting the deficit to 21-7. 

But any momentum disappeared almost immediately.

James Cook ripped off runs of 20 and 35 yards on Buffalo’s next possession, and Allen eventually found Kincaid for a 16-yard touchdown. Buffalo missed the extra point, but the damage was done.

The Bills had scored touchdowns on each of their first four possessions and led 27-7. Buffalo outgained Detroit 299-155 in the opening half. 

Jake Bates connected on a field goal as time expired to make it 27-10 at halftime.

Dan Campbell’s frustration was obvious during his halftime interview.

“The little shit is killing us right now.”

Detroit fights back, but Buffalo always answers

The Lions looked much better coming out of halftime.

Goff leaned on Amon-Ra St. Brown during an 11-play scoring drive, eventually finding him for a 2-yard touchdown that cut Buffalo’s lead to 27-17.

For a moment, Detroit had life.

Then Allen answered again.

Buffalo converted four third downs on its ensuing possession before Allen scored his second rushing touchdown of the night, restoring the Bills’ 17-point advantage at 34-17. 

Detroit refused to go away.

Goff found Sam LaPorta for a 1-yard touchdown early in the fourth quarter, pulling the Lions within 10 at 34-24. Detroit’s defense finally forced a punt, giving the offense an opportunity to make it a one-score game.

Instead, the Lions went three-and-out.

That was essentially their last real opportunity.

Buffalo responded with another scoring drive, with Cook punching it in from a yard out to make it 41-24 with 2:53 remaining. Detroit added a late 27-yard touchdown from Goff to St. Brown before an unsuccessful onside kick ended any realistic comeback hopes. 

Goff and St. Brown produce despite the loss

For as ugly as the night became, Detroit’s offense eventually produced.

Goff finished 26-of-38 for 327 yards, four touchdowns and no interceptions. St. Brown caught nine passes for 142 yards and two touchdowns, while Gibbs finished with 52 rushing yards and added six receptions for 61 yards and a touchdown. LaPorta contributed six catches for 52 yards and a score. 

The bigger concern remains on the other side of the ball.

After allowing New Orleans to erase a 21-point deficit in Week 1, Detroit had another difficult defensive performance Thursday. This time there was no overtime escape.

Allen attacked Detroit through the air, hurt the Lions with his legs and repeatedly extended possessions on third down. He finished with three passing touchdowns and two rushing scores. 

The Lions also lost Avonte Maddox to a foot injury during the game. 

Detroit showed enough offensively to make the final score respectable.

But the Lions spent Thursday night chasing a game Buffalo controlled almost from the opening kickoff.

Final: Bills 41, Lions 31.

Detroit heads home 1-1 with plenty to clean up — and after what the defense has shown through the first two weeks, there are some legitimate questions that need answers quickly.