Detroit Lions vs. Buffalo Bills Week 2 Prediction, Preview & Best Bets

Detroit Lions @ Buffalo Bills

Game Line: Bills -5.5
Game Total: 54.5

We begin Week 2 with an absolute banger between the Detroit Lions and Buffalo Bills. Both teams found the win column in Week 1 and feature two of the most exciting offenses in the sport. This will also be the debut game for the Bills’ new-look Highmark Stadium. Kickoff is set for 8:15 PM ET, with the game broadcast on Prime Video.

This game should be absolutely electric, but everything is coming up Buffalo in my opinion. On top of debuting their new home, Detroit is down multiple starting offensive linemen following its Week 1 overtime win over the New Orleans Saints. This was already a team with a top-heavy roster, and the Lions are also missing key players in an already-thin secondary.

Buffalo looked as explosive as I’ve seen them in a long time last week, shredding what is regarded as the best defense in the NFL in Houston. I was a bit critical of the decision to simply promote Joe Brady after finally firing Sean McDermott, but they looked so good in Week 1 that I’m willing to wonder whether McDermott had his paws on the offense more than we thought.

Josh Allen was more willing to attack outside corners than we saw at any point last season. Considering the opponent he did it against, I’m inclined to believe this could be a legitimate change for Buffalo’s offense this season.

DJ Moore and Dalton Kincaid were the main focal points of the passing game, but I don’t want to write off the supplementary players given how strong this matchup is. Khalil Shakir and Keon Coleman followed Moore and Kincaid in routes run with 21 and 17, respectively. Shakir operated primarily from the slot, while Coleman lined up almost exclusively outside.

We can attack this Lions secondary all over the field, but Buffalo’s willingness to attack outside last week has me looking at Coleman as a sneaky play tonight. Detroit plays man-heavy on the back end, and I’m never overly concerned about bigger-bodied receivers like Coleman struggling to create separation because we want him for those contested-catch and jump-ball situations anyway.

I’m expecting a huge game from Allen through the air, with my primary focus on DJ Moore and Keon Coleman. James Cook is also set up for a positive game script, and we could see him become more involved in the passing game than he was against Houston.

On the Lions’ side of the ball, their offense is as condensed as any team in the league. It’s Jahmyr Gibbs, Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jameson Williams, Sam LaPorta and Isaac TeSlaa. No other wide receiver ran a route in Week 1, while LaPorta dominated the routes in the tight end room.

Everyone is buying into the Jamo bounce-back tonight after he disappointed despite a clear role change against the Saints. I want to press my luck and wait one more week before his impending eruption, so I’m looking more toward St. Brown, Gibbs and LaPorta.

LaPorta seems like the best value in terms of props, and I like him in DFS as well. TeSlaa could also become more involved after earning just one target on 30 routes run.

Sione Vaki operated as the backup to Gibbs and played a nice receiving role in a trailing game script. We could see something similar tonight, and maybe Detroit dials Gibbs back from 35 touches to something closer to 30 on the short week.

Overall, I love Buffalo tonight. I think the Bills win by a touchdown or more on the back of another great game from Josh Allen in this “new” offense.

Touchdown Prediction: Keon Coleman

Score Prediction: Bills 31, Lions 20