The Bills beat the Lions 41–31 at home in Buffalo, moving to 2–0. The Lions fell to 1–1.
For the Bills, Josh Allen went 20-for-31 for 248 yards with 3 touchdowns. James Cook ran for 135 yards on 21 carries and scored a touchdown. Dalton Kincaid caught 7 passes for 95 yards and a touchdown.
For the Lions, Jared Goff went 26-for-38 for 327 yards with 4 touchdowns. Amon-Ra St. Brown caught 9 passes for 142 yards and 2 touchdowns.
On defense, Greg Rousseau (Bills) had 2 sacks.
Recaps are written automatically from the final score and box score: player stats from nflverse (CC BY 4.0).
Lions quarterback Jared Goff against Bills quarterback Josh Allen. Lineups as listed before kickoff (Lions: Sep 17, 2026, 8:34 AM ET; Bills: Sep 17, 2026, 8:34 AM ET).
Lions in this game: shotgun 58%, under center 42%, pistol 0% · one back 83%, two backs 12%, empty 5% · motion 46% (65 charted snaps).
As the team lists it: three receivers, one tight end and one running back. Quarterback shown in the shotgun, where the Lions lined him up on most snaps.
FS#22 C.J. Gardner-JohnsonNext up: Sam Franklin Jr.
RCB#1 Maxwell HairstonNext up: Davison Igbinosun
Two tight ends: the top two receivers stay on the field and the second tight end lines up on the left end. Quarterback shown in the shotgun, where the Lions lined him up on most snaps. Players beyond the listed starters come from the depth-chart order: this is who is most likely in, not a team announcement.
FS#22 C.J. Gardner-JohnsonNext up: Sam Franklin Jr.
RCB#1 Maxwell HairstonNext up: Davison Igbinosun
I-formation: two receivers and one tight end, with the quarterback under center and a fullback and running back stacked behind him. Two-back sets: 12% of snaps in this game. Players beyond the listed starters come from the depth-chart order: this is who is most likely in, not a team announcement. No fullback on the depth chart, so the second tight end, Brock Wright, is shown at fullback.
FS#22 C.J. Gardner-JohnsonNext up: Sam Franklin Jr.
RCB#1 Maxwell HairstonNext up: Davison Igbinosun
Four receivers and no tight end: the next receiver on the depth chart comes in. Quarterback shown in the shotgun, where the Lions lined him up on most snaps. Empty-backfield sets: 5% of snaps in this game. Players beyond the listed starters come from the depth-chart order: this is who is most likely in, not a team announcement.
LCB#4 D.J. Reed Questionable (foot)Next up: Keith Abney II
SS#29 Avonte MaddoxNext up: Brian Branch
FS#36 Chuck ClarkNext up: Thomas Harper
RCB#23 Rock Ya-SinNext up: Khalil Dorsey
Two tight ends: the top two receivers stay on the field and the second tight end lines up on the left end. Quarterback shown under center, where the Bills lined him up on most snaps. Players beyond the listed starters come from the depth-chart order: this is who is most likely in, not a team announcement.
Bills offense, 2 TE
LT#73 Dion DawkinsNext up: Jude Bowry
LG#70 Alec AndersonNext up: Austin Corbett
C#66 Connor McGovernNext up: Lloyd Cushenberry III
LCB#4 D.J. Reed Questionable (foot)Next up: Keith Abney II
SS#29 Avonte MaddoxNext up: Brian Branch
FS#36 Chuck ClarkNext up: Thomas Harper
RCB#23 Rock Ya-SinNext up: Khalil Dorsey
I-formation: two receivers and one tight end, with the quarterback under center and a fullback and running back stacked behind him. Two-back sets: 23% of snaps in this game. Players beyond the listed starters come from the depth-chart order: this is who is most likely in, not a team announcement. No fullback on the depth chart, so the second tight end, Dawson Knox, is shown at fullback.
Bills offense, I-form
LT#73 Dion DawkinsNext up: Jude Bowry
LG#70 Alec AndersonNext up: Austin Corbett
C#66 Connor McGovernNext up: Lloyd Cushenberry III
LCB#4 D.J. Reed Questionable (foot)Next up: Keith Abney II
SS#29 Avonte MaddoxNext up: Brian Branch
FS#36 Chuck ClarkNext up: Thomas Harper
RCB#23 Rock Ya-SinNext up: Khalil Dorsey
Four receivers and no tight end: the next receiver on the depth chart comes in. Quarterback shown under center, where the Bills lined him up on most snaps. Empty-backfield sets: 6% of snaps in this game. Players beyond the listed starters come from the depth-chart order: this is who is most likely in, not a team announcement.
Bills offense, 4 WR
LT#73 Dion DawkinsNext up: Jude Bowry
LG#70 Alec AndersonNext up: Austin Corbett
C#66 Connor McGovernNext up: Lloyd Cushenberry III