Josh Allen Scores 5 Touchdowns as Bills Beat Lions 41-31 in New Stadium Debut/ TezzBuzz/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Josh Allen accounted for five touchdowns as the Buffalo Bills defeated the Detroit Lions 41-31 in the first regular-season game at the new Highmark Stadium. Buffalo scored on its first four possessions, while Allen finished with 248 passing yards and added 69 yards on the ground. Detroit rallied after falling behind 21-0, but James Cook’s late touchdown secured Buffalo’s second victory of the season.
Quick Look
- Josh Allen threw three touchdown passes and ran for two more scores.
- Buffalo defeated Detroit 41-31 in its new stadium’s regular-season debut.
- Allen completed 20 of 31 passes for 248 yards.
- The quarterback added 69 rushing yards and scored the stadium’s first touchdown.
- James Cook rushed for 134 yards and delivered the game-clinching score.
- Jared Goff threw for 327 yards and four touchdowns for Detroit.
- Amon-Ra St. Brown recorded nine catches for 142 yards and two touchdowns.
- Buffalo scored on each of its first four possessions.
- Both teams return to action at home on Sept. 27.
Deep Look
Josh Allen makes the Bills’ new stadium his own
ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. — Josh Allen delivered a memorable opening performance at the Buffalo Bills’ new $2.1 billion stadium, accounting for five touchdowns in a 41-31 victory over the Detroit Lions.
Allen threw three touchdown passes and rushed for two more as Buffalo won the first regular-season game played at the new Highmark Stadium. The victory also gave the Bills a second consecutive high-scoring performance following their season-opening 36-31 win at Houston.
The quarterback said the emotion of the occasion struck him shortly before kickoff, as the U.S. and Canadian national anthems were performed.
“I caught myself taking it all in an understanding how cool what I get to do. My job is the coolest in the world,” Allen said. “It’s everything I ever wanted, to be the quarterback of an NFL franchise. I’m just very fortunate to have ended up in Buffalo.”
Allen spent his first eight NFL seasons setting numerous franchise passing and scoring records at the Bills’ former stadium across the street. On Thursday, he immediately began creating new history at its replacement.
Allen scores the stadium’s first touchdown
Allen registered the first touchdown at the new stadium on a 1-yard run 5:51 into the game.
He later added a 2-yard rushing score, giving him 83 career rushing touchdowns and moving him into a tie with Jim Taylor for 18th place on the NFL’s all-time list.
It was Allen’s sixth career game with five total touchdowns. That performance followed his four-touchdown outing against Houston in Buffalo’s opener.
“Anytime the ball’s in his hands, good things happen. And yeah, love that guy,” Bills coach Joe Brady said.
Brady demonstrated his confidence in Buffalo’s offense by choosing to receive the opening kickoff after the Bills won the coin toss.
“I wanted us to take the ball in this environment and set the tone,” Brady said. “That was the start that we needed.”
The Bills did exactly that, scoring on each of their first four possessions and taking control before Detroit could settle into the game.
Buffalo’s offense starts at full speed
After Allen’s opening touchdown run, Joshua Palmer caught a 43-yard scoring pass. Dawson Knox followed with a 2-yard touchdown reception, and Dalton Kincaid added a 16-yard score.
Buffalo built a 21-0 advantage with 11:48 remaining in the second quarter and entered halftime having accumulated 299 yards and 27 points.
Allen completed 20 of 31 passes for 248 yards while rushing for another 69. Buffalo finished with 446 total yards as Detroit’s injury-depleted defense struggled to contain the quarterback and his receivers.
The Bills’ 41 points represented the third-highest total by a team playing the first regular-season game in a new stadium. Dallas scored 44 points in its 1971 debut at Texas Stadium, while Miami recorded 42 in its first game at Joe Robbie Stadium in 1987.
Buffalo celebrated the 41-31 result as the inaugural regular-season victory at its new home.
James Cook seals the Buffalo victory
James Cook provided balance to Buffalo’s passing attack, rushing for 134 yards and scoring the touchdown that effectively ended Detroit’s comeback attempt.
After the Lions reduced Buffalo’s lead to 34-24 on Sam LaPorta’s 1-yard touchdown catch early in the fourth quarter, Detroit had an opportunity to draw closer.
That possession began at the Lions’ 10-yard line but ended with a three-and-out. Buffalo defensive lineman Deone Walker tipped two Jared Goff passes, while Jahmyr Gibbs was stopped for no gain.
The Bills responded with another scoring drive, capped by Cook’s 1-yard touchdown run with 2:50 remaining.
Detroit’s slow start proves costly
The Lions entered the game with an injury-depleted defense and a battered offensive line. Those problems were evident early as Detroit struggled to protect Goff and create rushing opportunities for Gibbs.
“You play an opponent as potent as this, you don’t have the luxury of spitting and sputtering early,” coach Dan Campbell said of Detroit falling behind 21-0 with 11:48 left in the second quarter. “We needed to play. It didn’t have to be spotless, but it certainly needed to be a lot cleaner than that.”
Detroit allowed Buffalo to produce 27 points and 299 yards during the first half alone.
The Lions’ problems began on Buffalo’s second possession. Two defenders moved toward DJ Moore in the flat, leaving Palmer open downfield for a 43-yard touchdown.
On Buffalo’s following drive, Skyler Gill-Howard intercepted a tipped pass, but a holding penalty against Rock Ya-Sin erased the turnover.
Goff and St. Brown lead Detroit’s comeback effort
Despite the difficult opening, Detroit’s passing offense kept the Lions within reach.
Goff completed 26 of 38 passes for 327 yards and four touchdowns. Amon-Ra St. Brown caught nine passes for 142 yards and two scores, while Gibbs recorded an 11-yard touchdown reception.
LaPorta contributed a 1-yard scoring catch. However, Gibbs was held to 52 rushing yards as Detroit’s offensive line struggled to open running lanes.
“I think we knew what type of game it was going to be, and we dug ourselves in that hole,” Goff said. “Against a team like that with the offense they have, it was really tough to get back int it.”
St. Brown and Gibbs have now scored in the same game 22 times. That moved them into a tie for fourth place with former Cleveland receiver Paul Warfield and running back Leroy Kelly.
Injuries affect both teams
Detroit defensive back Avonte Maddox injured his right foot during a three-player collision in the end zone in the second quarter. He did not return.
Buffalo defensive lineman Ed Oliver injured his hip during pregame warmups and was ruled out, leaving the Bills with four healthy defensive linemen.
Bills receiver DJ Moore was also ruled out after suffering shoulder and head injuries when Ya-Sin landed on him during an attempted catch in the end zone.
What comes next
The Lions will return home to face the New York Jets on Sept. 27.
Buffalo will remain at its new stadium and host the New England Patriots on the same date.
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