Our Lions vs Bills prediction points to Buffalo, though British viewers will need an alarm: this one kicks off at 1.15am on Friday morning. Squawka Signal’s live read on the game updates on this page through the week.
It is worth the sleep, mind. The Buffalo Bills open their new stadium having just put 36 points on Houston from 52 plays, and the Detroit Lions arrive unbeaten after edging New Orleans by a single point. Both are 1-0; neither got there the same way.
Detroit Lions @ Buffalo Bills
Detroit LionsWin prob33%
Buffalo BillsWin prob67%Squawka Signal is our model’s read, updated after every result — not betting advice. How the NFL Signal works. 18+. BeGambleAware.org. Please gamble responsibly. Full T&Cs & geo-restrictions apply: BoyleSports, bet365, Sky Bet.
Lions vs Bills: our editor’s props
Two editorial calls to sit alongside the live Signal numbers on this page.
AT 
Our props
An editorial call, not a Signal model output. 18+ | BeGambleAware.org
Lions vs Bills: 2026 form so far
A single game apiece, so the table is a starting point rather than a verdict. The shape of the two wins is the interesting part.
| 2026 season to date | Lions | Bills |
|---|---|---|
| Record | 1-0 | 1-0 |
| Points for | 31 | 36 |
| Points against | 30 | 31 |
| Point differential | +1 | +5 |
| Total yards | 369 | 409 |
| Yards per play | 5.1 | 7.9 |
| Turnovers | 1 | 0 |
| Third-down offence | 38.5% | 33.3% |
| Red-zone offence | 80.0% | 33.3% |
| Sacks recorded | 5 | 3 |
| Opponent passer rating | 87.6 | 106.7 |
Buffalo averaged 7.9 yards a play, Detroit 5.1. Detroit, however, held the ball 13 minutes longer, which is how they survived a New Orleans side that gained 469 yards.
Lions vs Bills injury report and team news
Thursday is the first regular-season game at the new Highmark Stadium, a 60,108-seat ground that replaces the one across the road. Buffalo opened the season in Houston.
This section updates as soon as the Out, Doubtful and Questionable tags land. A Thursday fixture compresses the practice week, so the picture firms up late.
Detroit LionsBuffalo BillsThe matchup that settles it: Allen against a leaking secondary
Detroit conceded 410 passing yards to Tyler Shough on Sunday. Josh Allen is a different proposition entirely, and he added two rushing touchdowns to his two through the air.
Against that, Jahmyr Gibbs carried 29 times in the opener. Detroit ran 33 times in all and held possession for 36:51, which is the template they will want again.
Detroit’s front is no passenger either, having managed five sacks and two interceptions. Buffalo, though, conceded only two sacks and gave the ball away not once.
Players to watch
- Jahmyr Gibbs (DET, RB): 29 carries for 156 yards and two touchdowns in the opener.
- Amon-Ra St. Brown (DET, WR): Ten catches and two touchdowns against New Orleans.
- Josh Allen (BUF, QB): 334 passing yards at a 130.5 rating, plus two rushing scores.
- Dalton Kincaid (BUF, TE): Five catches for 130 yards, the highest total on either side.
How to watch Lions vs Bills
Kickoff is 1.15am BST on Friday, September 18, which is 8:15 PM ET on the Thursday evening in New York. Sky Sports has the coverage and NFL Game Pass on DAZN carries it. It is the only game of the night, so there is nothing to clash with. Squawka may earn a commission if you subscribe through that link.
| Detail | Lions vs Bills |
|---|---|
| Date | Thursday, September 17, 2026 |
| Kickoff | 1:15am BST Fri 18 Sep / 8:15 PM ET Thu 17 Sep |
| Venue | Highmark Stadium, Orchard Park, NY |
| TV | Sky Sports |
| Live stream | NFL Game Pass (DAZN) |
| Week | Week 2, 2026 NFL season |
Lions vs Bills prediction and score projection
Our Lions vs Bills prediction is a Buffalo win, 30-24. Allen against that secondary is the cleanest edge on the card, and the new ground should be loud.
Detroit will run it and Gibbs is good enough to keep this tight. The live win probability updates on this page through the week.
Every fixture in the round is covered across our NFL UK hub, and the 32 club pages sit on the NFL teams hub.
Lions vs Bills FAQ
Buffalo, at home. Both sides are 1-0, but the Bills averaged 7.9 yards a play in their opener against Detroit’s 5.1.
1.15am BST on Friday, September 18, which is 8:15 PM ET on the Thursday evening.
Sky Sports has the coverage and NFL Game Pass on DAZN carries every game of the season, live or on demand. Night games are never subject to the UK blackout.
It is the first regular-season game there. Buffalo opened away at Houston, so Thursday night is the ground’s competitive debut.
18+ | Please gamble responsibly | BeGambleAware.org | Signal probabilities approximate at time of writing and subject to change