Josh Allen, Bills beat Lions in 4842 shootout
Dec 15, 2024
DETROIT, Mich. (WROC) — The Bills and Lions showdown featured the two highest-scoring offenses in the NFL. The matchup lived up to the hype and it was the Bills coming away with a 48-42 victory, handing the Lions just their second loss of the year.
It was the highest-scoring game of the NFL season, surpassing the very last game that the Bills played when the Rams beat the Bills 44-42.
Josh Allen completed 23 of 34 attempts for 362 yards and two touchdowns. He also had eleven carries for 68 yards and a pair of rushing touchdowns.
The Bills scored touchdowns on their first three possessions and did not punt until their seventh possession of the game. Allen had rushing touchdowns on each of Buffalo's first two touchdown drives.
Jared Goff had a monster day as well, throwing for 494 yards and five touchdowns. He carved up a Bills' secondary that was without starting cornerback Rasul Douglas and starting safeties Damar Hamlin and Taylor Rapp.
In a game that featured twelve touchdowns, a defensive play might have been the biggest one of the game. Trailing 28-14, Lions receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown fumbled the ball after making a catch. Matt Milano recovered and the Bills turned it into a touchdown to push the lead to 35-14. The Lions scored touchdowns on their next three possessions, but they could never get the lead to singe-digits until the final seconds of the game.
The Lions actually tried an onside kick with 12 minutes to play down 38-28. However, Mack Hollins recovered the ball and nearly ran it in for a touchdown. One play later, Allen threw a five-yard touchdown pass to Ray Davis for a 45-28 lead.
They attempted another onside kick down 48-42 with twelve seconds left in the game and the Bills recovered to secure the victory.
Running back Ty Johnson was a key part of the passing game, catching five passes for 114 yards. James Cook had 14 carries for 105 yards and two touchdowns.
With the victory, the Bills move to 11-3 on the season. They still trail the Chiefs by two games in the race for the AFC's seed.
The Bills have a significantly easier schedule in the final three weeks of the season. The Bills will play the Patriots, the Jets, then the Patriots once again. The Chiefs will play the Texans, the Steelers, and the Broncos. Patrick Mahomes also left Kansas City's win against the Browns with an ankle injury. Reports say that he has a high-ankle sprain and is week-to-week.