The Detroit Lions (12-1) close their three-game home stand Sunday with a potential Super Bowl matchup when the Buffalo Bills (10-3) make the trip to Ford Field. Coming off an important 34-31 NFC North win over the Green Bay Packers to take the season sweep, Detroit is searching for their first win over Buffalo since 2006.
A win would mark the Lions' most wins in a single season in franchise history and break the franchise record of most consecutive wins in a row.
Bills report: Despite quarterback and MVP candidate Josh Allen scoring three rushing and passing touchdowns each, Buffalo fell in a 44-42 shootout to the Los Angeles Rams, snapping their seven-game win streak. The defeat set the Bills back two games behind Kansas City for the No. 1 seed in the AFC, though they hold the tie breaker with a 30-21 win in Week 11.
Allen sits just behind Detroit quarterback Jared Goff with 23 passing touchdowns on the season, which ranks sixth among all quarterbacks. Allen has just five interceptions on the year — he hasn't thrown one since Nov. 17 — and has a 101.9 passer rating. His nine rushing touchdowns are second among all quarterbacks behind Philadelphia's Jalen Hurts (13).
Buffalo boasts the eighth best scoring defense in the league, limiting opponents to just over 20 points per game, which will make a good test for a Detroit offense that averages 32.1 points per game. The Bills rank third with 24 takeaways and first with a plus-17 turnover differential, tied with Pittsburgh.
Last meeting: On Thanksgiving Day in 2022, Buffalo picked up their eighth win of the season with a 28-25 victory at Ford Field as neither team led more than seven points at any point. Following a Jamaal Williams touchdown run, Allen recorded back-to-back passing and rushing touchdowns to build a 14-7 Bills lead.
Goff connected with wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown to tie the game with two minutes to go in the first half, leaving enough time for Buffalo's Tyler Bass to convert a 47-yard field goal to retake the lead at 17-14. That field goal would be foreshadowing as Bass converted the game-winner from 45 yards out with a couple seconds remaining in the fourth quarter to break the 25-25 tie.
Playoff picture:
| Conference | No. 1 | No. 2 | No. 3 | No. 4 | No. 5 | No. 6 | No. 7 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AFC | KC (12-1)** | BUF (10-3)** | PIT (10-3) | HOU (8-5) | BAL (8-5) | LAC (8-5) | DEN (8-5) |
| NFC | DET (12-1)* | PHI (11-2)* | SEA (8-5) | TB (7-6) | MIN (11-2) | GB (9-4) | WAS (8-5) |
**Clinched division and playoff spot
*Clinched a playoff spot
Quick hits:
1. Buffalo has scored at least 30 points in seven straight games, the longest streak in franchise history.
2. Allen became the first player in NFL history to record three passing and three rushing touchdowns in a single game in the loss to the Rams last week.
3. The Bills' seven turnovers are the second fewest in the league and are tied with Detroit for fewest fumbles lost with two.
Data dive:
Stats are based on Weeks 1-14 followed by the rank.
| Team | Total Offense | Total Defense | Rushing Offense | Passing Offense | Rushing Defense | Passing Defense | Takeaways |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lions | 394.8 (2) | 318.6 (10) | 151.1 (4) | 243.8 (4) | 93.9 (5) | 224.7 (24) | 20 (T-6) |
| Bills | 355 (10) | 332 (14) | 125.7 (11) | 229.3 (12) | 123.1 (19) | 208.9 (9) | 24 (T-3) |
Next on the schedule:
- Buffalo: vs. New England, Dec. 22, 1:00 p.m.
- Detroit: at Chicago, Dec. 22, 1:00 p.m.
Here are five Bills storylines to follow into Sunday afternoon's matchup:
1. 'Put it on the line' | How the Bills plan to bounce back in heavyweight showdown at Lions
After a narrow loss to Los Angeles last week, Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen, head coach Sean McDermott and other players addressed the mentality of the team heading into its matchup with Detroit. READ MORE
2. Top 5 storylines to follow for Buffalo Bills at Detroit Lions | Week 15
Bills Team Reporter Maddy Glab takes a look at five key areas to watch for in Buffalo's game at Detroit Sunday. READ MORE
3. The Sean McDermott Show | Previewing Week 15: Bills at Lions
Buffalo Bills head coach Sean McDermott sits with Bills legend Steve Tasker for his weekly show, previewing the matchup at Detroit. WATCH
4. Josh Allen: "A really well-coached team"
Bills quarterback Josh Allen addresses the media, discussing the Lions defense, aggressiveness on fourth down and what challenges Detroit will present. WATCH
5. A.J. Epenesa: "We need to play a little angry" against the Lions
Buffalo defensive end A.J. Epenesa joined One Bills Live TV show to talk about preparations for Detroit and the team's mindset entering Sunday's game. WATCH
