If you are looking for Buffalo Bills vs Detroit Lions match player stats, this guide gives you the key numbers in plain English. On Thursday night, September 17, 2026, the two teams played a high-scoring game in Buffalo, and the Bills won 41-31. Quarterbacks Jared Goff and Josh Allen both had big nights. Running back James Cook and receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown also played very well. Below, you will find the stats for each player group, a short look at the defense, and how this game compares with older games between these two teams.
What was the final score of the Bills vs Lions game?
The Bills beat the Lions 41-31 on September 17, 2026. It was the first game in the new Buffalo stadium, and the Bills won their home opener. The game was shown on Prime Video and played at Highmark Stadium.
Both teams came into the night with a 1-0 record. The Lions had beaten the Saints 31-30, and the Bills had won 36-31 at Houston. Both offenses had scored a lot in week one, so fans expected points. They got them. The two teams scored 72 points together, which is far more than the 54.5 total that was set before the game.
Who threw for more yards, Jared Goff or Josh Allen?
Jared Goff threw for more yards and more touchdowns, but Josh Allen went home with the win. Goff finished with 327 yards and 4 touchdowns on 26 completions from 38 throws. Allen threw for 248 yards and 3 touchdowns on 20 completions from 31 throws.
| Quarterback | Team | Completions/Attempts | Passing Yards | Touchdown Passes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jared Goff | Lions | 26/38 | 327 | 4 |
| Josh Allen | Bills | 20/31 | 248 | 3 |
Goff completed about 68 percent of his passes and gained about 8.6 yards on each throw. Allen completed about 65 percent and gained 8.0 yards on each throw. These numbers are close. The big difference is that Goff had to throw more often because the Lions were chasing points for much of the night.
ESPN’s game story says Allen had five touchdowns in total, and three of them were passes. That means he also helped his team score in other ways. Allen is known for running with the ball, and he often makes plays when a pass play breaks down.
Which running back played better, James Cook or Jahmyr Gibbs?
James Cook had the better night on the ground. Cook ran 21 times for 135 yards and one touchdown. Jahmyr Gibbs ran 16 times for 52 yards.
| Running Back | Team | Carries | Rushing Yards | Average per Carry |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| James Cook | Bills | 21 | 135 | 6.4 |
| Jahmyr Gibbs | Lions | 16 | 52 | 3.3 |
Cook gained more than six yards every time he touched the ball, which kept the Buffalo offense moving. His touchdown was a one-yard run. A strong running game also helps a quarterback, because the defense cannot only watch for the pass.
Gibbs had a smaller night as a runner, but he still mattered. He scored on an 11-yard catch from Goff. Gibbs can help an offense by running and by catching, and this game showed both skills.
Which receivers stood out?
Amon-Ra St. Brown was the best receiver in the game. He caught 9 passes for 142 yards and 2 touchdowns. His scores came from 2 yards and 27 yards out. Every one of the Lions’ touchdowns came through the air, and St. Brown was on the end of two of them.
For Buffalo, tight end Dalton Kincaid led the way. Kincaid caught 7 passes for 95 yards and a touchdown. Two other Bills also scored on catches. Joshua Palmer caught a 43-yard touchdown pass, and Dawson Knox caught a one-yard touchdown pass, both from Allen. The Bills spread the ball around, so the Lions could not focus on only one target.
| Receiver | Team | Catches | Receiving Yards | Touchdowns |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amon-Ra St. Brown | Lions | 9 | 142 | 2 |
| Dalton Kincaid | Bills | 7 | 95 | 1 |
How did the defenses play?
Both defenses gave up a lot of points, but a few players made big plays. Buffalo’s Greg Rousseau led the sack list with 2. Detroit linebacker Derrick Barnes had 1 sack. Bills cornerback Christian Benford made 8 tackles, and 5 of them were solo tackles.
A sack ends a play for a loss of yards, so it can stop a drive before it grows. Rousseau’s two sacks helped the Bills keep some pressure on Goff, even on a night when Goff threw for 327 yards. In a game with this many points, every stop is important, and the defense that makes a few more of them often wins.
How did the scoring happen?
Both teams traded touchdowns for most of the night. Here are some of the scoring plays listed by ESPN: Allen to Palmer for 43 yards, Allen to Knox for 1 yard, Cook’s 1-yard run, Goff to Gibbs for 11 yards, and Goff to St. Brown for 2 yards and 27 yards. The Lions’ kicker, Jake Bates, also made a 31-yard field goal.
The Lions scored four touchdowns and a field goal, which adds up to their 31 points. The Bills scored more, because they added extra points from their other scoring plays. Buffalo’s quick touchdown drives are the reason the game stayed out of reach for Detroit in the end.
What did the numbers look like before kickoff?
Before the game, Buffalo was the favorite. The Bills were favored by 5 points, the weather was around 70 degrees, and the total for the game was set at 54.5. The Lions were the underdog, but their offense was one of the best in the league in the first week.
Injuries were also in the news. Lions cornerback D.J. Reed was listed as questionable with a foot problem. The Bills had three players listed as questionable: running back Ty Johnson, safety Cole Bishop, and defensive lineman T.J. Sanders. Injury lists often change by game day, so check the official team reports for the final word.
How do the Bills and Lions compare over the years?
Buffalo has the better record in this series. FootballDB lists 14 games between the two teams. The Bills have won 9 of them, and the Lions have won 4. The last few games have been fun to watch, so here is a quick look back.
December 2024: The Bills won 48-42 in Detroit. Goff threw for 494 yards and 5 touchdowns, and Allen threw for 362 yards. St. Brown had 193 receiving yards, and Cook ran for 105 yards. Goff had a huge night in that game too, but the Lions still lost.
2022: Buffalo won 28-25 in Detroit. Allen threw for 253 yards and 2 touchdowns, and he also ran for 78 yards and a touchdown. Goff threw for 240 yards and 2 touchdowns. Bills defensive tackle Ed Oliver also sacked Goff in the end zone for a safety.
December 2018: This was a low-scoring game. The Bills won 14-13 in Buffalo. Matthew Stafford threw for 208 yards for the Lions, and Allen threw for 204 yards, including a 42-yard touchdown pass to Robert Foster.
The pattern is clear. Games between these two teams used to be tight and low-scoring, but the last three have been full of points. Goff has put up big numbers in each of them, yet the Bills have won them all.
What can fans learn from the numbers?
The stats show that a big passing day does not always lead to a win. Goff had more yards and more touchdown passes than Allen, but the Lions still lost by 10 points. Here are three simple lessons from this game:
- A balanced offense helps. Cook’s 135 rushing yards gave Buffalo another way to move the ball.
- Targets matter. Palmer, Knox, and Kincaid all scored, so the Lions had to cover many players.
- Sacks can change a drive. Rousseau’s two sacks put pressure on a quarterback who was throwing a lot.
When you read a box score, look at more than one number. Yards tell you how much a player did, but touchdowns, carries, and averages tell you how well he did it.
Final Thoughts
The Bills beat the Lions 41-31 in a game with plenty of points and many strong player stats. Goff led all passers with 327 yards and 4 touchdowns, but Allen, Cook, and the Buffalo receivers found a few more big plays. St. Brown was the top receiver in the game with 142 yards and 2 scores. Make sure to check the official ESPN or Yahoo Sports box score if you need exact numbers, because the league can adjust stats after a game.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who had the best player stats in the Bills vs Lions game on September 17, 2026?
Jared Goff had the biggest passing day with 327 yards and 4 touchdowns, but the Lions lost. Amon-Ra St. Brown caught 9 passes for 142 yards and 2 touchdowns. For Buffalo, James Cook ran for 135 yards and a touchdown, and Josh Allen threw 3 touchdown passes.
Where can I find the full player stats for this game?
You can find full player stats on the ESPN and Yahoo Sports game pages for the September 17, 2026 game. Both sites show passing, rushing, receiving, tackles, and sacks for every player. Stats can change a little after the league reviews the game, so check the page again if a number looks wrong.
How many times have the Bills and Lions played, and who leads the series?
FootballDB lists 14 games between the two teams, and Buffalo leads the series with 9 wins to 4 for Detroit. The last three meetings were high scoring. The Bills won 48-42 in Detroit in December 2024, and they won 41-31 at home in September 2026.
