The last time the Detroit Lions played the Buffalo Bills at Ford Field, Josh Allen led a game-winning 48-yard drive in the closing moments, setting up a 45-yard field goal by Tyler Bass for a 28-25 victory on Thanksgiving Day in 2022.That defeat ended a three-game win streak for the Lions, who had fought back from a 1-6 start to finish the season at 9-8, narrowly missing the playoffs.
As the two teams face off again this Sunday, NFL experts are predicting a different outcome.
Earlier this week, three major sportsbooks named the Lions slight favorites for the matchup, citing Detroit’s high-powered offense and Buffalo’s recent struggles on defense.
Detroit is also entering the game healthier, after a tough stretch of games, with key players expected to return to the lineup.
In contrast, Buffalo has had issues playing on the road this season, with a 4-3 record away from home.
Meanwhile, Ford Field has earned a reputation as one of the most challenging environments for visiting teams, making the Lions a tough opponent in Motown.
Here’s what experts are saying as Sunday’s game approaches:
One expert predicts a 31-23 victory for the Lions, stating, “I learned my lesson last week by doubting the Lions, and I’m not making that mistake again. After extra rest, they should be healthier and ready to go.
This game features the NFL’s top two scoring teams, and I believe the Lions have the edge.”
Another analyst notes that while the game may not be as high-scoring as Buffalo’s recent loss to the Rams, it will still be a battle.
The expert highlights Buffalo’s struggles to stop the run, pointing to Detroit’s formidable rushing duo of Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery, which ranks second in the league.
The Lions’ offense will need to put up at least 30 points, as Josh Allen continues to play at an MVP level. With the Lions’ defense still dealing with injuries, the expert gives a slight edge to the Bills’ potent offense, particularly in the red zone.
Allen has been exceptional, throwing for 16 touchdowns and rushing for eight, converting 68.6% of his red-zone opportunities in the past three games.
A third expert emphasizes that while Josh Allen is undoubtedly one of the NFL’s best individual performers, Jared Goff has been the standout team player this season.
The expert points out that Allen’s individual efforts may not be enough to overcome the Lions’ balanced offense, which uses the run game to set up favorable passing opportunities for Goff.
A struggling Buffalo defense will have a hard time stopping Detroit’s attack, and if Allen is forced to play in a one-dimensional style, the result could mirror Buffalo’s recent loss to the Rams in Week 14.
Another analyst adds that the Bills’ defense has struggled against high-powered offenses like the Ravens and Rams in recent weeks, and they are likely to face similar difficulties against Detroit.
The expert acknowledges that if Allen can deliver another six-touchdown performance, the Bills may have a chance, but questions whether he can repeat such an extraordinary feat two weeks in a row.
From a metrics perspective, the Detroit Lions are viewed as the superior team, with a clear advantage over the Buffalo Bills, particularly in defense and special teams. The Lions have faced a slightly tougher schedule, making their 11-3 record even more impressive.
This game has the potential to be a high-scoring affair, which can make the betting line difficult to judge.
High-scoring games are often decided in the final moments, and as a result, any line under seven points is seen as challenging to predict.
One final prediction sees the Lions winning a thrilling game, despite the temptation to pick the Bills.
The expert notes that the Lions have won 11 consecutive games and that Buffalo has struggled on the road this season.
While Josh Allen will undoubtedly impress again, the Lions are expected to come out on top in a close contest.
In summary, most analysts are predicting that the Detroit Lions will overpower the Buffalo Bills in this Week 15 matchup, citing Detroit’s dynamic offense, the struggles of Buffalo’s defense, and the home-field advantage at Ford Field.
While Josh Allen’s performance could keep Buffalo in the game, the overall consensus is that Detroit’s balanced attack and improved health will lead them to victory.