SEO Title: Bills vs. Lions preview: Allen, Gibbs headline historic Highmark Stadium opener
SEO Description: Buffalo hosts Detroit on Thursday night in the first regular-season game at new Highmark Stadium, with both clubs bringing elite offenses and major injury questions.
Buffalo’s first regular-season game at new Highmark Stadium arrives with a marquee Week 2 matchup: Josh Allen and the Bills will host the Detroit Lions on Thursday night after both teams opened the season with dramatic, high-scoring victories.
The Bills put up 36 points against Houston in Joe Brady’s first game as head coach, while Detroit survived an overtime scare against New Orleans after letting a 21-point advantage disappear. The teams enter the prime-time matchup tied for the NFL’s most wins over the past 50 regular-season games, with 36 each.
Bills-Lions brings Super Bowl hopefuls to new Highmark Stadium
Neither franchise has won a Super Bowl, but both fan bases have reason to believe this season can change that. Buffalo and Detroit have paired sustained regular-season success with explosive offenses, creating a matchup that could turn into a scoring race quickly.
Quick facts
- Buffalo and Detroit each have 36 victories across their last 50 regular-season games.
- The Lions lead the NFL in scoring over that span at 29.7 points per game, followed by the Bills at 28.8.
- Allen generated 357 total yards and four touchdowns against Houston in Week 1.
- Detroit running back Jahmyr Gibbs handled a career-high 34 touches in the season opener.
- The Lions could be without multiple starters in the secondary and offensive line on a short week.
Allen comes off a four-touchdown performance against a Houston defense that led the league in fewest yards allowed and ranked second in points allowed during 2025. The Texans returned much of that group, including five Pro Bowl starters from last season and first-team All-Pros Will Anderson Jr. and Derek Stingley Jr.
Buffalo’s offense also features reigning rushing champion James Cook. Detroit counters with Gibbs, All-Pro receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown and All-Pro left tackle Penei Sewell, giving Jared Goff an array of playmakers even as the Lions work through injuries.
Detroit may need to control the clock and lean heavily on its ground game to keep Allen off the field. Buffalo allowed 124 rushing yards in its opener, and run defense was an issue last season, when the Bills surrendered 136.2 yards per game on the ground, 28th in the NFL.
The Lions showed what a physical rushing approach can look like in Week 1, when David Montgomery scored two of his three touchdowns on runs. Gibbs now takes center stage for a Detroit offense led by first-year coordinator Drew Petzing, who gave the dynamic back a heavy workload immediately.
For Buffalo, the game is an early measuring stick for new defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard. Detroit’s offense can stress defenses with Gibbs, Goff’s timing game and an accomplished front line when healthy, though the Lions’ protection could be compromised Thursday.
Right tackle Blake Miller did not practice Tuesday because of a knee injury, and left guard Christian Mahogany missed practice with a hip issue. Center Juice Scruggs was limited, while Detroit already has its top center, Cade Mays, on injured reserve.
The Lions also enter the game shorthanded in the secondary, with Brian Branch and Kerby Joseph sidelined. Detroit still has front-seven standouts Aidan Hutchinson and Jack Campbell, but its depleted defensive backfield faces a difficult assignment against Allen and Buffalo’s passing attack.
If Detroit’s offensive line cannot hold up, Goff’s rhythm and Gibbs’ running lanes could suffer. If the Lions cannot sustain drives, they could be forced into a fast-paced shootout against a Bills team eager to christen its new stadium with another offensive surge.
