The Buffalo Bills continued their 2024 schedule with a Week 15 win over the Detroit Lions, 48-42.
The Bills (11-3) had another tremendous offensive effort, led by quarterback Josh Allen, and the Lions (12-2) had no answers for it. Buffalo came out on top on the road at Ford Field in a game that was considered a “Super Bowl preview” by many around the NFL.
With the win, the Bills now have wins over the top seed in the NFC and AFC (Kansas City Chiefs). Next up, the Bills will host the New England Patriots in Week 16. As the season unfolds, we are learning more and more about this year’s Bills team.
Here are five things we learned from Week 15’s win vs. the Lions:
Fast start set the tone
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The Bills have struggled in the early parts of away games for much of this year, but in Week 15 they flipped the script. They started hot and stayed hot.
Buffalo opened the game with a quick 14-0 lead. They forced punts on each of the Lions’ first two possessions, and they scored a touchdown with each of their first two possessions. Both drives were finished off with Allen’s legs.
On the road against whom many considered to be the best team in football, the Bills never trailed.
Defenses are scared of Josh Allen
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The Bills offense is playing its best football in the Allen era. They have now scored 40+ points in back to back weeks, and they have scored at least 30 in eight straight games.
Allen has 10 touchdowns over the last two weeks. And, over the last three weeks, the offense has zero turnovers and zero sacks allowed.
The Lions had no answer for the Bills offense. Buffalo scored on eight possessions. Detroit took to desperate measures as they attempted an onside kick early in the fourth quarter in hopes of keeping Allen and the Bills offense off the field. Safe to say that didn’t end well for them, as receiver Mack Hollins returned it deep into Lions territory and set up a one-play-drive touchdown.
Tyler Bass experience still a roller coaster
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Kicker Tyler Bass has had his ups and downs as a member of the Bills. Week 15’s win encapsulated the full Bass experience.
Bass was a perfect six-for-six on point after attempts, and he was two-for-three on field goals. He connected on field goals of 50 and 41 yards. His one miss, however, should have been a layup from 24 yards out. The miss was the shortest miss by any kicker this season.
Bass did account for 12 Buffalo points in the win, and he was a difference maker, but his inconsistencies shined through yet again.
Defense made plays when they needed to
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It was by no means a perfect outing by the Bills defense. They allowed 42 points. But, defensive coordinator Bobby Babich’s unit looked like it had more juice than in last week’s loss to the Los Angeles Rams. The defense was able to get some early stops so that the offense could build a lead. And, timely blitzes and stunts made a difference. They got home for a sack on Jared Goff three times. Two of the sacks came on third down and forced punts.
The defense also forced the only turnover of the game, as cornerback Christian Benford jarred the ball loose from wideout Amon-Ra St. Brown.
The Bills offense scored touchdowns directly after the forced fumble and after one of the third-down sacks. Although from a box score perspective it looks like the Bills struggled, they did enough to beat the best offense in the NFL. And, a lot of the Lions’ passing yards and touchdowns came while down multiple scores in the second half.
Hello, Ty Johnson
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Allen and Ty Johnson have formed a strong rapport as the season has gone along. Johnson was consistently in the right spots down field as Allen was moving out of the pocket. They connected for numerous game-changing plays.
He was even trusted to run a slot-fade on fourth and short early in the second quarter. The result was not only a first down but a 31-yard pickup that put the Bills in the red zone.
Johnson led all Bills players in receiving. He had five catches for 114 yards. Against teams that play a lot of man coverage, Johnson appears to be one of Joe Brady’s favorite weapons to utilize.
