ORCHARD PARK — Josh Allen delivered a commanding performance in the inaugural regular-season game at the new Highmark Stadium, leading the Buffalo Bills to a 41-31 victory over the Detroit Lions on Thursday night. Allen accounted for five total touchdowns, throwing for three scores and rushing for two, as the Bills successfully christened their $2.1bn facility.
Allen finished the contest 20 of 31 for 248 yards through the air while adding 72 yards on the ground. "[We won in a] short week against a really good team who kept us fighting until the last second there," Allen said following the win. The quarterback orchestrated touchdown drives on each of Buffalo’s first four possessions, including a one-yard scoring run to open the game's account and a 43-yard touchdown pass to Josh Palmer.
The Lions, hampered by an injury-depleted defense and a struggling offensive line, rallied to cut the deficit to 34-24 in the second half but could not complete the comeback. Jared Goff completed 26 of 38 passes for 327 yards and four touchdowns, with Amon-Ra St. Brown recording nine receptions for 142 yards and two scores. However, Detroit's offense stalled in the fourth quarter, and James Cook sealed the result for Buffalo with a one-yard touchdown run.
The victory marks Buffalo's second win of the season, following their 36-31 win over the Texans in Houston. For Allen, the two rushing touchdowns brought his career total to 83, tying him with Jim Taylor on the NFL list, while the win represented his 90th regular-season victory.