The Detroit Lions are approaching one of their most critical games of the season, a Sunday matchup on November 15 against the Buffalo Bills.
The Bills, led by Josh Allen, are 10-3 and one of the AFC’s top contenders this year.
Meanwhile, the Lions, with Jared Goff at quarterback, have an impressive 11-1 record and are considered one of the NFC’s best teams, if not the best overall. This game is pivotal for both squads, and each will be striving to secure a victory.
While much attention will be focused on the Lions’ defense and their efforts to neutralize Josh Allen, Detroit’s offense also plays a crucial role in the outcome of the game. Fortunately, the Lions might have a key advantage heading into the contest.
Detroit’s Running Back Tandem is a Strong Asset
Brad Berreman, an NFL analyst, highlighted in a December 13 article for SideLion Report that the Lions’ running back duo of Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery, affectionately called “Sonic and Knuckles,” could provide a significant advantage against the Bills.
This pairing, combined with Jared Goff’s leadership, is seen as a potential game-changer for the Lions.
According to Berreman, Detroit’s ground game will be essential in keeping Josh Allen and the Bills’ offense off the field.
Montgomery and Gibbs are expected to be the key contributors in this strategy. However, Berreman suggests that it’s not just the running game that could work in the Lions’ favor.
He believes that offensive coordinator Ben Johnson has identified a favorable matchup against the Bills’ defense that could help Detroit capitalize.
One of Buffalo’s key weaknesses heading into Week 15 is their vulnerability to passes thrown to running backs.
The Bills have allowed the most receptions (74), the most targets (95), and the third-most receiving yards (579) to running backs this season.
Berreman pointed out that while Gibbs is known for his ability as a pass catcher, he hasn’t always been used to his full potential in that role. That said, Montgomery has been exceptional as a receiving back this year as well.
Given Buffalo’s struggles in covering running backs in the passing game, Berreman believes that the Lions’ backfield duo could have a standout performance against the Bills.
He expects Detroit’s running game to have a strong showing, particularly taking advantage of Buffalo’s defensive weaknesses.
Weather Disruption Won’t Deter the Bills
As Detroit prepares for the Bills, they could be helped by the fact that Buffalo missed a practice this week due to a snowstorm that hit the area.
The storm, which brought about 30 inches of snow to Orchard Park, forced the Bills to cancel their Thursday practice on December 13 and hold virtual meetings instead.
However, Lions’ head coach Dan Campbell isn’t letting this affect his mindset.
Campbell, speaking to the press on December 13, downplayed the significance of the Bills missing a practice.
He recalled a past instance where the Lions had to go through a similar situation during the COVID era, noting that the team still performed well despite the disruption. “I don’t put anything into that,” Campbell said. “That team will be ready.”
He expressed confidence that the Bills would still be prepared and didn’t view the missed practice as a potential advantage for Detroit.
In conclusion, while both teams are dealing with their own challenges heading into this crucial matchup, the Lions’ running back duo and Buffalo’s recent weather-related setback could give Detroit a slight edge.
However, as Campbell emphasized, the Bills are a talented team that won’t be easily thrown off course, no matter the circumstances.
The game is sure to be a hard-fought contest, with major playoff implications on the line for both sides.