Today, Josh Allen comes to Detroit with hopes of dashing the Lions’ 11-game win streak. The Lions have other plans, hoping to win what is possibly the biggest game of the entire regular season for them. This is a football lovers dream: two juggernauts will see each other on the field today. This could be a preview for what we see in the Super Bowl come February. The best of the NFC will match up against the best of the AFC at 4:25PM. However, this match-up is a little different than your normal “best of the best.” Think Superman against the Avengers. The way that Josh Allen seems to have super powers that can propel the Bills to win single-handedly, he is the NFL’s Superman. How this Lions team seems to always win, even when they seem severely out-manned at times, they are the NFL’s Avengers. I expect fireworks, and the entire city of Detroit might just be destroyed by the end of it. This will be the game of the week.

Lions vs Bills Injury Report:

The Lions defense is somewhat healthy, getting back multiple defensive linemen that have been out the last few weeks. DJ Reader, Josh Paschal, Levi Onwuzurike, and Alim McNeill will all be available. However, they are still without multiple defensive starters, and will be without Trevor Nowaske this week as well. The Bills however will be without starting corner Rasul Douglas, and a myriad of players are questionable. Kincaid being the one that likely impacts the Bills the most.

KEY MATCH-UPS:

Lions Run Game vs Bills Run Defense:

The Bills defense currently ranks 19th against the run, allowing 123.1 yards per game. However, the buck doesn’t stop there. The Bills defense also ranks 26th in yards per run allowed (5.0), 23rd in yards before contact allowed (1.62) 22nd in yards after contact allowed (3.11), and they are last in the entire NFL in stacking the box at 7.1%. I fully expect not only the running backs, but the offensive line to play very well today for Detroit.

Lions Defense vs Josh Allen:

It’s the yearly issue; the Lions can’t stop mobile quarterbacks. Arguably the best mobile quarterback is coming to town. It will all come down to how our defense plays. The defensive line is mostly healthy, and we need the best they have today, in both the run and pass game. The linebackers will also have to be on point, not allowing anything over the middle while also keeping an eye in the backfield in case Allen takes off. The defensive backs will have their hands full, as the Bills receivers are a solid group. Man coverage can be beaten by scrambling quarterbacks, since the DBs are looking at the receiver instead of the quarterback. The Lions play more man than almost anyone in the NFL.

Lions Pass Offense vs Bills Pass Defense:

Jared Goff has had a very good season, outside of one very odd 5 interception outing last month. However, he has had flashes of the old Goff, and that could hurt us today. The Bills defense ranks 9th in pass yards per game allowed (208.9) 11th in pass yards per play (6.0), and 14th in time to throw (2.74s). However, Goff, Amon-Ra, and Jamo could take advantage of the Bills defense as well. As we all know, Goff is at his best when kept clean. The Bills defense has not done a great job at getting pressure or getting to the quarterback. They rank 22nd in sacks, 21st in sack rate, 21st in pressures, 19th in pressure rate, and 30th in blitz rate. They also allow 3.8 yards of separation on average, ranking 5th in the NFL. Something Williams and St. Brown are both likely salivating over. I expect the Lions offense to play well, and put up a lot of points today.

Bills Offense vs Lions Defense:

The Bills Offense comes into this game ranking 10th in yards per game, 6th in yards per play, 2nd in total touchdowns, 11th in rushing yards per game, and 12th in passing yards per game. It’s safe to say the Lions defense will have their work cut out for them. However, the Lions defense has been very good this year in their own right. Ranking 10th in total yards allowed, 3rd in touchdowns allowed, and 5th in rushing yards allowed. The Bills could take advantage of the Lions pass defense that ranks 24th overall in yards allowed per game. I expect it to be a hard fought game for both sides. It will really come down to big plays. Will Josh have a big 40 yard scramble on 3rd down? Will Jameson Williams have another 70-yard touchdown? Will the Lions be 3/3 on 4th down?

Prediction:

This game will be a shootout. I see both defenses struggling at times, and both offenses having big plays to boot. Josh Allen will likely have a great game, and the Lions’ run game will too. Will Goff have a 400-yard beaut of a game? Or will he have a 200 yard 2 interception game? There are so many ways this game could go, and it will likely be impacted by just a handful of plays that could go either way.

I do see Detroit coming out on top this week to extend their win streak to 11 games. I just don’t think Josh will be able to do enough to win a shootout. Much like their comic book counterparts, the power of one will likely lose to the powers of many. I expect a close game, and a hard fought to the end battle, which will end in cinematic fashion.

Lions 34. Bills 30.

As always, Go Lions.