Josh Allen powers Bills past Lions in first regular-season game at new Highmark Stadium
Josh Allen led the Buffalo Bills to a 41-31 victory over the Detroit Lions in the inaugural regular-season game at Highmark Stadium. He recorded five touchdowns—three passing and two rushing—completing 20 of 31 passes for 248 yards. Despite a push from the Lions, Buffalo secured the win, improving to 2-0.
Photo: NFL
ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. — Josh Allen made sure the first regular-season game at the new Highmark Stadium belonged to the Buffalo Bills.
Allen accounted for five touchdowns as Buffalo defeated the Detroit Lions 41-31 on Thursday night, improving to 2-0 and giving the Bills a victory in the regular-season debut of their new $2.1-billion home.
The Buffalo quarterback completed 20 of 31 passes for 248 yards and three touchdowns without an interception. He also carried 14 times for 69 yards and two scores, following his four-touchdown performance in the Bills’ Week 1 victory over Houston. It was the fourth five-touchdown game of Allen’s career.
Bills take control from the opening drive
Buffalo wasted little time producing the first regular-season touchdown in its new stadium.
Allen directed a 10-play, 85-yard opening possession and finished it himself with a one-yard touchdown run. The Bills continued finding the end zone throughout the first half, scoring touchdowns on each of their first four possessions.
Josh Palmer was left open for a 43-yard touchdown reception, while tight ends Dalton Kincaid and Dawson Knox also caught scoring passes from Allen.
Buffalo went into halftime having accumulated 299 yards and 27 points, putting Detroit in another significant early deficit after the Lions had fallen behind 21-0 against New Orleans in Week 1.
This time, Detroit couldn’t complete the comeback.
Detroit makes its push behind Goff and St. Brown
The Lions reduced a 21-point Buffalo advantage to 34-24 and remained within reach during the fourth quarter. Jared Goff finished 26-of-38 for 327 yards and four touchdowns, while Amon-Ra St. Brown caught nine passes for 142 yards and two scores.
Jahmyr Gibbs added an 11-yard touchdown reception, although Buffalo limited him to 52 rushing yards. Sam LaPorta accounted for Detroit’s other touchdown catch.
The Lions’ opportunity to apply more pressure disappeared on a possession from their own 10-yard line midway through the fourth quarter. Deone Walker tipped two Goff passes and Gibbs was stopped for no gain as Detroit went three-and-out.
Buffalo eventually put the game away when James Cook scored on a one-yard run with 2:50 remaining. Cook provided another major part of the Bills’ offensive production, rushing 21 times for 135 yards and averaging 6.4 yards per carry.
Allen reaches another career milestone
Allen’s performance added two more rushing touchdowns to a career total that now stands at 83, tying Jim Taylor for 18th on the NFL’s all-time list.
Thursday also brought Allen his 90th regular-season victory. He became one of four quarterbacks to reach 90 wins within their first nine seasons.
His passing production was distributed across several targets. Kincaid led Buffalo with seven receptions for 95 yards and a touchdown, while Keon Coleman caught all six of his targets for 63 yards. Palmer’s only reception was the 43-yard touchdown, and Knox added another score.
Through Buffalo’s first two games, Allen has now accounted for nine touchdowns: five through the air and four on the ground.