The Buffalo Bills celebrated the opening of their new Highmark Stadium with a commanding 41-31 victory over the Detroit Lions on Thursday night, powered by a stellar performance from quarterback Josh Allen.
Allen recorded his fourth career five-touchdown game, throwing for three and adding two on the ground. The outing followed his season-opening five-touchdown display against Houston, reinforcing his status as one of the league’s most dynamic dual-threat quarterbacks.
The $2.1 billion venue, which officially opened last month, sits directly across the street from the Bills’ previous home. Allen immediately made his mark, overseeing touchdown drives on Buffalo’s first four possessions. He scored the stadium’s first regular-season touchdown on a 1-yard run just under six minutes into the opening quarter. He later connected with a wide-open Josh Palmer for a 43-yard score, while tight ends Dalton Kincaid and Dawson Knox also found the end zone in the first half.
Allen finished the night completing 20 of 31 passes for 248 yards and added 72 rushing yards. Running back James Cook contributed 134 yards on the ground and sealed the win with a 1-yard touchdown run with under three minutes remaining.
Allen’s two rushing scores moved his career total to 83, tying him with Jim Taylor for 18th on the NFL all-time list. The victory also marked his 90th regular-season win, making him one of only four quarterbacks to reach that milestone through their first nine seasons.
For Detroit, the loss was compounded by injuries to both the defensive front and offensive line, which struggled to contain Buffalo’s attack or protect quarterback Jared Goff. Despite a second-half rally that narrowed the gap to 34-24, the Lions’ offense stalled in the fourth quarter. Goff finished 26 of 38 for 327 yards and four touchdowns, with Amon-Ra St. Brown catching nine passes for 142 yards and two scores. Jahmyr Gibbs added an 11-yard reception touchdown but was held to 52 rushing yards, while Sam LaPorta also scored.
The Lions’ defense allowed 27 points and 299 total yards in the first half, echoing similar struggles from their season opener against New Orleans. Detroit’s offensive line issues were evident early, with Goff sacked twice and failing to throw a snap correctly on the team’s first two series.
As Week 2 approaches, the NFL schedule features a busy slate of matchups this weekend, with several games broadcast live on Sky Sports NFL and Sky Sports Main Event.
Lions O-line is a disaster. How can they protect Goff at all? This defense looks lost already.
Wow, 2.1 billion dollars and Josh Allen makes it look easy right away. That stadium looks incredible!