Buffalo Bills winners & losers from 41-31 victory over Lions: Superman puts on his cape once again, an impactful pass rush & more
The Buffalo Bills jumped out to a commanding lead before finishing off their first win in their new home on Thursday night.
The Buffalo Bills opened up brand new home turf at new Highmark Stadium in style, landing a statement win on Thursday night. An overwhelming 21-0 lead set the tone ahead of a 41-31 victory over the Detroit Lions. Bills fans in attendance watched an offense that moved the ball with a surreal level of efficiency against Detroit, making the stadium’s debut a night to remember.
The final score flatters the Lions more than the game itself did, and there’s plenty to unpack from both sides of the ball. Here are some winners and losers for the Buffalo Bills fresh of win No. 2 this season.
Winners & losers from the Buffalo Bills 41-31 victory over the Detroit Lions
Winner: Greg Rousseau
Greg Rousseau joined some exclusive company on Thursday night, becoming the second Buffalo Bill to log 2.0+ sacks in each of the first two games of the season. The first was Bruce Smith. Rousseau hasn’t always been renowned as a prolific sack artist but the aggressiveness of this defensive scheme feels like it gives him a better chance to make splash plays consistently.
If this is the version of Rousseau that Buffalo gets all season, the numbers could start reflecting what he’s truly capable of as an NFL defender. Early returns on that extension look promising.
Loser: Buffalo’s second-half defensive performance
I’ll concede this: it’s hard to keep the gas pedal down when you’re up three scores. But the Lions did score on four of their five final possessions, posting a field goal just before half, then logging three second-half touchdowns in four possessions. It now makes two straight games where the Bills have allowed 31 points. That is a legitimate level of concern long-term, even as Buffalo celebrates Victory Friday.
Now, Jim Leonard’s defense did generate pressure. Greg Rousseau and Bradley Chubb got after Jared Goff with regularity and had plenty of success collapsing the pocket. But it is worth asking how sustainable it is to lean on this model of play week in and week out. You have to hope the defense continues to get better and more consistent as this season plays out.
Winners: Everyone in attendance at new Highmark Stadium
Bills fans went home happy with good vibes about their new stadium, that’s for sure. A 10-point win, an offense that was essentially unstoppable, and a crowd that got to witness a 21-0 first-half explosion. There’s been plenty of talk about the stadium this summer — which obviously is a big adjustment. But the environment looked electric, carried a “big fight” feel early, and then the Bills delivered when the game kicked off.
Loser (and also a Winner): Wide receiver DJ Moore
It’s crisis averted for wide receiver DJ Moore, who left this game with a scary looking shoulder/neck injury. Moore is confirmed as of this morning to have an AC joint sprain. Missing game time with Josh Allen early as they work on establishing their connection is a disappointing turn of events.
That being said, Moore is also a winner in this equation. The fact that the injury turned out to be “only” an AC joint sprain is a significant development for Buffalo when you consider the alternatives. A broken collarbone or some kind of neck injury both looked possible given how the play unfolded. In the short term, Buffalo lost Moore and his continued opportunity to get time on task with Allen. In the big picture, the Bills dodged a much worse outcome.
Winner: Quarterback Josh Allen
The cape was on for Allen on Thursday night. He made fast decisions and identified errors in coverage (see the long touchdown pass to WR Josh Palmer). He was a locomotive out in space as a runner. Allen did all the things that you’d expect him to do as one of the league’s most prolific players. He now has 83 career rushing touchdowns, which is tied with…wait for it…Hall of Fame running back Jim Taylor for 18th overall. Allen now traits Marshawn Lynch by two scores for 17th all-time. A special talent.
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