The Bills started the game with a seven minute ground-focused drive, featuring Marcus Murphy and Keith Ford in place of the usual veterans. That drive sputtered out at the edge of field goal range, Josh Allen taking a sack to force the team into a punt. The Lions punted at the end of their first drive, and the first quarter finished scoreless.
Detroit found life in the second quarter. Kenny Golladay beat Tre’Davious White down the sideline for a long catch, and some effective outside running put Detroit at the goalline, where Matthew Stafford hit Andy Jones for the receiver’s first career touchdown. Holder Sam Martin botched the snap on the extra point, but the Lions took a 6-0 lead.
The Bills responded with a touchdown drive of their own, powered by Robert Foster. The rookie connected with Allen on a crossing route to put the Bills at midfield, then drew pass interference on the next play with a deep route. Two plays later, Josh Allen ran the ball in for a touchdown, and the Bills took a 7-6 lead with their extra point.
Golladay abused Buffalo’s cornerbacks on contested catches all through the second quarter, ripping a potential interception from Levi Wallace and beating White for 40 yards on the same drive. He’s already over 100 receiving yards and has set a career high in receiving yards. The Lions regained the lead with Zach Zenner’s one yard carry to the end zone at the four minute mark.
Marcus Murphy suffered an arm injury near the end of the second quarter that didn’t look good. Depending on the severity it might leave Keith Ford as the only healthy running back on the active roster.
The Lions will have the ball at the start of the second half. The Bills need to start preventing big plays from the Lions, and connect on some of their own explosive plays. Discuss below!