The Buffalo Bills opened Highmark Stadium in memorable fashion Thursday night, defeating the Detroit Lions 41-31 behind a five-touchdown performance from Josh Allen and a powerful rushing attack that produced 203 yards.
Allen accounted for five of Buffalo’s six touchdowns, throwing for three and rushing for two. He completed 20 of 31 passes for 248 yards while adding 69 yards on 14 carries. James Cook provided Buffalo’s other touchdown, finishing with 135 rushing yards on 21 carries.
The Bills wasted little time taking control, scoring touchdowns on their first four possessions to build a 27-7 advantage. Detroit responded with 10 straight points to pull within 27-17, but Allen and the Buffalo offense answered with a lengthy 15-play, 75-yard drive that took 8:22 off the clock. Allen capped the possession with his second rushing touchdown of the night.
Bills wide receiver DJ Moore left the game with a shoulder injury with 2:56 remaining in the second quarter while attempting to make a catch in the end zone. He was ruled out for the remainder of the game.
Detroit remained within striking distance in the fourth quarter, cutting Buffalo’s lead to 34-24 before the Bills defense finally stopped a run of four consecutive Lions scoring drives.
Buffalo then put together another important possession, traveling 61 yards in 4:38. Cook broke free for a 22-yard run before finishing the drive with a 1-yard touchdown run to restore a three-score advantage.
Jared Goff completed 26-of-38 passes for 327 yards and four touchdowns, including two late scoring passes to Amon-Ra St. Brown.
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Buffalo finished with 446 total yards, 34 first downs and nine conversions on 12 third-down attempts. The Bills also went five-for-five in the red zone.
Greg Rousseau recorded two sacks, while Bradley Chubb added one and a half as Buffalo sacked Goff four times.
GAME RECAP LINKS
- Bills 41, Lions 31 | Final Score, recap + highlights (buffalobills.com)
- Josh Allen scores 5 TDs to open new Buffalo stadium. Bills vs. Lions score, highlights, stats (democrat&chronicle.com)
- 5 takeaways from the Bills’ 41-31 win vs. the Lions (billswire.com)
- Horns up, horns down for Buffalo Bills vs. Detroit Lions (buffalorumblings.com)
- Joe Brady, Buffalo Bills put on clinic versus Lions in home debut – Observations (syracuse.com)
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Kyle leads sports coverage and hosts the Concrete Jungle podcast. Have a lead or question? Send it to kyle@fingerlakes1.com.