The Detroit Lions will host the Buffalo Bills on Sunday afternoon in what is shaping up to be a potential Super Bowl preview. The Lions are coming off an exciting win against Green Bay on Thursday night where their offense shined again. Despite the run game struggling, they still put up 34 points and Jared Goff was very efficient moving the ball down the field with ease. They did give up 31 points to the Packers, but their defense was decimated with injuries, many of whom should be back for this week.
The Bills are coming off a heartbreaking loss to the Rams, where despite the offense putting up 42 points, they still fell just short. Josh Allen had an outstanding game totaling 6 total touchdowns and 424 total yards. This game should be very close and either team could win. If the Detroit Lions want to come out with a win, they will need to execute these 3 things.
Make Josh Allen One-Dimensional
Josh Allen has proven to be a deadly passer, but he has also shown the ability to beat teams with his legs. Despite the loss, Allen had 82 yards and 3 touchdowns on the ground, beating the Rams in crucial spots multiple times. Although they have been better, the Lions have struggled under DC Aaron Glenn defending running QBs. They allowed 23 yards on the ground to Jordan Love last week, which was a season-high for Love.
The Detroit Lions will be getting back multiple defensive linemen this week, so that should help contain Josh Allen in the pocket. If the Lions want to win this game, they will need to make Allen beat them with his arm and not with his legs.
Let Sonic and Knuckles Cook
Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery have been a huge key to the Detroit Lions success on offense, and they will both need to have bounce-back games this week. Last week against Green Bay, both backs had less than 60 yards and averaged a combined 3.2 yards per carry. The Bills have struggled to stop the run this year, so they will have a great opportunity to bounce back.
Buffalo has given up 4.7 yards per carry this year and has been run all over the past couple of weeks. The Lions will get opportunities to break open the run game, and if the Lions want to win, it will be important to capitalize on them.
Don’t Let Emotions Control Coaching Decisions
The Detroit Lions went for five fourth downs against the Packers and although they converted on four of them, some were still questionable decisions. They went for it inside their own 30 up 3 in the third quarter and failed to get it, resulting in a Green Bay TD. Although it didn’t cost them last week, it could in the future.
Going for fourth downs is one thing, but going for it in your territory is very careless. We’ve seen Dan Campbell make fourth-down calls with his emotions instead of his head, which has cost the Lions games. If the Lions want to win, Dan Campbell must make smarter decisions and control his emotions when coaching.
Final Thoughts
The Detroit Lions and Buffalo Bills are arguably the two best teams in the NFL, and we could very easily see these two facing off in the Super Bowl in a few months. The Lions will be healthier this weekend, so they will have a real shot to win and improve to 13-1. Josh Allen will look for another big game and pull off the upset against a red-hot Lions team. I think the Detroit Lions come out on top in the end in a close game, but this game could go either way.
