Bills and Lions to meet in Thursday Night Football at new Highmark Stadium

The Buffalo Bills will open the new Highmark Stadium on Thursday, Sept. 17, against the Detroit Lions in Week 2 of the NFL season. The matchup is scheduled for 8:20 p.m. ET and will be available on Amazon Prime and the CBS Sports app. DraftKings Sportsbook lists the Bills as 4.5-point favorites with an over/under of 54.5 points.

Both teams recorded high-scoring performances in Week 1. Buffalo defeated the Houston Texans 36-31, with quarterback Josh Allen throwing two touchdowns and rushing for two more. Detroit rallied past the New Orleans Saints in overtime after surrendering a 21-0 lead, with running back Jahmyr Gibbs accounting for 186 total yards and two touchdowns.

Allen’s Week 1 statistics include a 69% completion rate and an average of 11.5 yards per attempt, marking his ninth career game with at least two passing and two rushing touchdowns. Gibbs handled 74% of Detroit’s offensive snaps and recorded 34 touches, the most among league backs, after being designated the primary ball carrier for the season.

Wide receiver DJ Moore contributed five catches for 100 yards and a touchdown for Buffalo, while also drawing a pass-interference penalty that set up a first-and-goal opportunity. Detroit will be missing left guard Christian Mahogany and right tackle Blake Miller due to hip and knee injuries; Ben Bartch and Larry Borom are expected to fill those roles.

Analysts note that both offenses have the potential to score heavily, while the defenses have shown vulnerabilities. The prediction leans toward a Buffalo victory, though the spread may remain unfilled if the Lions keep the game close.