Detroit Lions vs Buffalo Bills LIVE Updates. Predictions, lineup and more about the Thurday Night Football
Bills vs. Lions Preview: How to watch Thursday Night Football, predictions, odds and key matchups
The Buffalo Bills vs. Detroit Lions matchup headlines NFL Week 2 as two explosive offenses collide in a highly anticipated Thursday Night Football showdown. The game will mark the first official matchup at the new Highmark Stadium , with both teams looking to continue their strong starts to the 2026 NFL season.
The Bills and Lions enter Thursday Night Football with Super Bowl aspirations , powered by elite quarterbacks, dynamic playmakers and offenses capable of putting up points against any opponent.
Buffalo arrives after a thrilling comeback victory over the Houston Texans , another AFC contender. Josh Allen once again showed why he remains one of the NFL's most dangerous quarterbacks, throwing for two touchdowns and adding two more rushing scores in the Bills' 36-31 win.
Allen's ability to impact the game both through the air and on the ground makes him one of the biggest storylines heading into Bills vs. Lions .
Meanwhile, the Detroit Lions also survived a dramatic Week 1 battle against the New Orleans Saints . Detroit jumped out to a 21-0 lead before allowing New Orleans to rally and force overtime. The Lions eventually escaped with the victory after the Saints failed a two-point conversion attempt that would have won the game.
Despite defensive concerns, Detroit's offense showed its explosiveness, led by Jahmyr Gibbs . The young running back finished with 186 total yards and two touchdowns, proving he could become one of the focal points of Dan Campbell's offense this season.
With two high-powered attacks facing inconsistent defenses, Bills vs. Lions is expected to be one of the highest-scoring games of NFL Week 2 .
Bills vs. Lions: Date, time, TV channel and streaming
Game: Buffalo Bills vs. Detroit Lions
Location: Highmark Stadium, Orchard Park, New York
TV/Streaming: Amazon Prime
Odds: Bills -4.5 | Over/Under: 54.5 points (DraftKings)
The NFL Week 2 schedule kicks off with one of the most exciting matchups on the calendar as the Buffalo Bills host the Detroit Lions in the official debut of the new Highmark Stadium . Two teams with championship aspirations enter the game with explosive offenses and the promise of a high-scoring showdown.
Buffalo enters with sky-high confidence after a spectacular comeback win over the Houston Texans , another team viewed as an AFC contender. Josh Allen once again showed why he is one of the league's most dominant quarterbacks, throwing two touchdown passes and adding two more rushing scores in the 36-31 victory.
On the other side, Detroit also played a dramatic game in its season opener against the New Orleans Saints . The Lions built a 21-0 lead but allowed New Orleans to fight back and needed overtime to secure the win after the Saints failed a two-point conversion attempt that could have changed the outcome.
Despite defensive concerns, Detroit's offense once again had Jahmyr Gibbs as its standout performer. The running back finished with 186 total yards and two touchdowns, proving he is ready to take on an even bigger role in Dan Campbell's offense.
Now, the Bills and Lions meet in a matchup expected to be a true offensive battle. Here are the key storylines, schedule details and everything you need to know before kickoff.
Where to watch Bills vs. Lions live
Location: Highmark Stadium (Orchard Park, New York)
A matchup expected to bring fireworks
Oddsmakers are expecting an offensive showcase. The 54.5-point total is the highest of Week 2, highlighting the expectations surrounding two offenses capable of taking advantage of defensive mistakes.
The Bills and Lions combined for 67 points in Week 1 , but they also showed defensive weaknesses by allowing 61 points combined against Houston and New Orleans. With both defenses still searching for consistency, quarterbacks should have plenty of opportunities to make plays.
Allen's performance against Houston was historic. The Bills quarterback threw two touchdown passes and added two rushing touchdowns, reaching nine career games with at least two passing touchdowns and two rushing scores .
That total surpasses the combined number of such games by two legends: Steve Young and Cam Newton .
Allen also completed 69% of his passes and averaged 11.5 yards per attempt against one of the NFL's top defenses. Now, he will look to repeat that performance against a Lions defense that showed some vulnerabilities in its opener.
Jahmyr Gibbs takes center stage in Detroit
Last season, Gibbs had to share the spotlight with David Montgomery , but that appears to be changing.
In Week 1, the running back played 74% of Detroit's offensive snaps and touched the ball 34 times , the most in the league during the opening week.
Although he does not have the traditional size of a workhorse running back at 5-foot-9 and 202 pounds, Campbell made it clear during the offseason that Gibbs would have a much larger role. Against the Saints, he delivered on that promise.
DJ Moore emerges as a key piece for Buffalo
After a slow start, DJ Moore became one of Buffalo's biggest offensive weapons against Houston.
The receiver recorded five catches for 100 yards and a touchdown , while also drawing a defensive pass interference penalty that set the Bills up near the goal line.
Moore was involved on 81% of the team's offensive routes and was targeted on more than 30% of his routes, numbers that reflect the role of a true No. 1 receiver -- something Buffalo needed after Stefon Diggs left the team.
Detroit faces issues on the offensive line
The Lions will have to make important adjustments to protect Jared Goff . Left guard Christian Mahogany and right tackle Blake Miller have been ruled out due to injuries.
Ben Bartch is expected to replace Mahogany, while Larry Borom could step in for Miller.
The absence of key starters could become a concern against a Buffalo defensive front that played well against Houston, especially with Greg Rousseau , who could become a major factor in the matchup.
