While the Detroit Lions full 2026 season schedule won't be released until Thursday night, some of their matchups have already been revealed to fans. One of those matchups is the Lions' Week 2 road matchup against the Buffalo Bills, which is set to be the first Thursday night football game of the season on Prime Video on Sept. 17.Â
It’ll also be the first time the Lions will face the Bills since their 2024 Week 15 matchup at Ford Field. The game was one of the Lions' two regular-season losses in 2024, losing 48-42 to the Bills.Â
The Lions' matchup against the Bills has the potential to be another exciting game for fans. Here are three things for fans to be excited about ahead of their primetime clash.
Spoiling Buffalo’s opener In new stadium
When the Lions face the Bills, it will be Buffalo’s home opener in their new $2.1 billion Highmark Stadium. The atmosphere for the Bills' home opener will, without a doubt, be a hostile one for the Lions. Head coach Dan Campbell’s group would love to spoil the celebration of Buffalo’s new venue.Â
High scoring offensive battle
The last time the Lions and Bills met in 2024, fans were not disappointed, as it was an offensive shootout at Ford Field. The Lions and Bills combined for 90 points in that game. Quarterbacks Josh Allen and Jared Goff also threw for over 360 yards in the game.
READ MORE: Jared Goff can only laugh at latest NFC North quarterback take for 2026
Goff's performance in the loss was remarkable as he threw for 494 yards and five touchdowns. This upcoming season’s contest between the two teams has the potential to provide the same offensive fireworks and be one of the most entertaining matchups to begin the 2026 NFL season.Â
Bills run defense against Jahmyr Gibbs
One of the key matchups that could decide the Week 2 matchup is the struggling Bills' rush defense against Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs.
Last season, one of the key reasons the Bills lost the AFC East to the New England Patriots and lost in the Divisional Round to the Denver Broncos was that Buffalo’s rush defense was ranked near the bottom of the NFL, No. 28 overall. It allowed an average of 136.2 yards per game.Â
Gibbs, who was one of the top running backs in the NFL last season, will look to take advantage of the Bills' struggling defense. Last season, Gibbs was ranked No. 7 in the NFL, rushing for 1,223 yards and 13 touchdowns. Buffalo added some reinforcements to their defensive front this offseason by way of rookies T.J. Parker and Kaleb Elarms-Orr, and veteran pass rusher Bradley Chubb. But, Gibbs should be able to push them to the brink.
Add us as a preferred source on Google