3 key matchups for Detroit Lions vs. Buffalo Bills Week 12
By Zach Payne
Matchup 1: Lions DEs vs. Bills QB Josh Allen
Over the past two games against the Giants and Bears, and in general all season, the Lions have struggled with mobile quarterbacks. The primary source of their struggles has been designed runs. Defensive ends not named Aidan Hutchinson, and even him at times early in the season, have struggled mightly as the read key defender against read options. Detroit’s defensive ends have been getting caught crashing too far inside, leaving an ocean of room for opposing signal callers to bounce it outside and take off running when they recognize it.
There is going to need to be a renewed sense of discipline on Thursday. Josh Allen is probably the best dual threat quarterback in the league, a mix of size/power and speed no other quarterback quite offers as a runner.
As was the case against the Giants, Detroit will have to play as close to mistake-free as possible against Allen. The first step to slowing the Bills down is taking away Allen’s legs and keeping him in the pocket, where he has been erratic at times this season (10 interceptions, and 19 turnover-worthy throws according to Pro Football Focus–h/t to Justin Rogers of The Detroit News for the PFF data point.