Allen throws 3 TDs, runs for 2 as Bills top Lions 41-31 at new stadium
The Buffalo Bills beat the Detroit Lions 41-31 on Thursday night in the first regular-season game at the Bills’ new Highmark Stadium. Josh Allen threw three touchdown passes and ran for two scores to lead Buffalo.
Allen scored the first regular-season touchdown in the stadium on a 1-yard run 5:51 into the opening quarter. He followed that with a 43-yard scoring pass to a wide-open Josh Palmer. Tight ends Dalton Kincaid, with a 16-yard catch, and Dawson Knox, with a 1-yarder, also scored for Buffalo in the first half.
Allen finished 20 of 31 for 248 yards, and added 72 yards rushing. James Cook had 134 yards rushing and put the game away with a 1-yard touchdown run with 2:50 left.
It was Allen’s fourth career five-touchdown outing, and followed a four-touchdown outing in Buffalo’s 36-31 season-opening win at Houston.
“Josh Allen quickly put his stamp on the Buffalo Bills’ new stadium that’s been aptly dubbed ‘The House that Allen built,'” the AP report read.
The $2.1 billion stadium officially opened last month and was built across the street from the Bills’ former home.
Allen’s two rushing touchdowns moved him into a tie for 18th on the NFL career list with Jim Taylor at 83. He also picked up his 90th regular-season victory, becoming one of four quarterbacks to reach that milestone through their first nine seasons.
The Lions were undone by an injury-depleted defense and a banged-up offensive line that had difficulty opening holes for Jahmyr Gibbs and protecting Jared Goff.
Detroit played minus two offensive line starters: Blake Miller (knee) and Christian Mahogany (hip).
Goff finished 26 of 38 for 327 yards and four touchdowns. Amon-Ra St. Brown had nine catches for 142 yards and two scores. Gibbs scored on an 11-yard catch but was limited to 52 yards rushing. Sam LaPorta scored on a 1-yard catch.
St. Brown and Gibbs have scored in the same game 22 times, moving into a tie for fourth place with the Cleveland receiver/running back combo of Paul Warfield and Leroy Kelly.
The Lions’ defense allowed the Bills to score 27 points and gain 299 yards in the first half alone. The struggles carried over from a season-opening 31-30 overtime win over New Orleans.
Detroit’s troubles began on Buffalo’s second drive when two defenders converged on DJ Moore in the flats, allowing Allen to find Palmer wide open deep for a 43-yard touchdown. On Buffalo’s next drive, a holding penalty against Rock Ya-Sin negated Skyler Gill-Howard’s interception of a tipped pass.
The Lions’ offense had its own stutters, with Goff sacked twice and also having a snap go over his head on Detroit’s first two series.
Lions defensive back Avonte Maddox hurt his right foot during a three-player collision in the end zone in the second quarter and did not return.
Bills starting defensive lineman Ed Oliver was ruled out after hurting his hip during pre-game warmups. Bills wide receiver DJ Moore was ruled out after hurting his shoulder and head when Ya-Sin landed on the player attempting to make a catch in the end zone.
The Lions host the New York Jets on Sept. 27. The Bills host New England on Sept. 27.
