The Buffalo Bills will play their first regular-season game at Highmark Stadium on Thursday night when they host the Detroit Lions in a Week 2 matchup between two 1-0 teams. Kickoff is scheduled for 8:15 p.m. in Orchard Park, with the game streaming exclusively on Amazon Prime Video.
Buffalo enters its home opener after a 36-31 victory over the Houston Texans in Week 1, while Detroit rallied from a 21-point deficit before defeating the New Orleans Saints 31-30 in overtime. Both teams scored at least 30 points in their season openers, setting up a matchup between two offenses that showed plenty of firepower in Week 1.
Josh Allen led Buffalo’s offense against Houston, throwing for 334 yards and two touchdowns while adding two rushing touchdowns. It marked the 25th game of his career with at least four total touchdowns, and Allen also became the fastest quarterback in NFL history to reach 300 combined passing and rushing touchdowns, doing so in 129 games. Dalton Kincaid added 130 receiving yards, while DJ Moore made an immediate impact in his Buffalo debut.
Detroit will counter with an offense led by Jared Goff and Jahmyr Gibbs. Goff threw for 410 yards and three touchdowns against New Orleans, while Gibbs rushed for 156 yards and two touchdowns on 29 carries. Buffalo allowed Houston to gain 381 total yards in Week 1, making the matchup against Detroit’s explosive offense another important test for the Bills’ defense.
On the other side, Buffalo’s offensive line will have to contend with Aidan Hutchinson. The Bills did a strong job protecting Allen against Houston’s Will Anderson Jr. and Danielle Hunter, but Hutchinson presents another major challenge for the offensive line on a short week.
Detroit’s secondary could also present opportunities for Buffalo’s passing game. The Lions are without starting safeties Kerby Joseph and Brian Branch, while New Orleans quarterback Tyler Shough threw for 410 yards against Detroit.
GAME WEEK LINKS
- Top storylines for Bills vs. Lions | NFL Week 2 (buffalobills.com)
- Bills, Lions look ready to light up Highmark Stadium in shootout (democrat&chronicle.com)
- Bills vs. Lions: 5 things to watch for during Week 2 (billswire.com)
- Buffalo Bills vs. Lions: What to know about Detroit ahead of Thursday Night Football (syracuse.com)
- Want Bills vs. Lions tickets? Here are best available prices for Highmark Stadium opener (democrat&chronicle.com)
- Buffalo Bills vs. Detroit Lions | Where to watch, stream and listen | Week 2 TNF (buffalobills.com)
- NFL analysts expect a barnburner with Bills vs. Lions: 7 early predictions (democrat&chronicle.com)
PRESS CONFERENCES
MEDIA
A classic look for our home opener. pic.twitter.com/OGxPbqnQpX
— Buffalo Bills (@BuffaloBills) September 15, 2026
A few positives on the timing of playing the Lions
— Bills Chat Podcast (@BillsChatPod) September 15, 2026
1) Playing without Brian Branch and Kirby Joseph.
2) Penie Sewell 2nd NFL game at LT. He should eventually be excellent, but he struggled last week vs Chase Young
3) 4 days rest after OT win and they travel.
Kyle leads sports coverage and hosts the Concrete Jungle podcast. Have a lead or question? Send it to kyle@fingerlakes1.com.