Loading...
Week 15 is finally here, meaning each team only has four games left. With that, playoff races have tightened up, and that is no different for these two teams playing in the afternoon primetime slot. We have QB Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills taking on the NFC-leading Detroit Lions, who are sitting at 12-1.
For Sunday’s big game, we broke down each team’s Week 14 action and this specific matchup.
The Buffalo Bills traveled out west to take on the Los Angeles Rams in what ended up being a thrilling matchup. Unfortunately for the Bills and their fans, they could not come away with a victory, losing 44-42.
Even in the loss, Josh Allen went bananas in this one. He threw for 342 yards and three touchdowns while adding 82 yards and 3 TDs on the ground. He did that without turning the ball over once, but it just was not enough. With Josh Allen doing most of the heavy lifting for the offense, RB James Cook had a quiet day. Cooks saw just 6 carries and totaled 20 yards. He did catch both targets, but just for 9 receiving yards.
With Allen having much success through the air, his pass-catchers had solid days. WR Khalil Shakir was their leading receiver, finishing with e 5 catches for 106 yards and a touchdown. That also includes a 51-yard house call. Their trade deadline acquisition Amari Cooper also had his best day as a Bill, catching 6 of 14 targets for 85 yards. He did not catch one of the touchdowns from Allen, it was the unlikely names of Mack Hollins and Ty Johnson finding the end zone.
Even though the offense was spectacular, it was not enough for the win because the Rams killed the Bills defense through the air and on the ground. That was the first time we have seen the Bills defense gashed like that. Let’s hope that trend does not continue moving forward.
As for the Lions, they continued their winning ways against the divisional foe, the Green Bay Packers. The Lions took care of business, winning 34-31 as time expired on a Jake Bates field goal.
The Lions offense was solid on the night, led by QB Jared Goff. The Cal product threw 3 touchdowns in this one to pair with his 283 yards and 1 interception. Goff linked up twice with veteran WR Tim Patrick for touchdowns, while standout RB Jahmyr Gibbs also found the end zone through the air.
WR Jameson Williams led the Lions in receiving yards with 80, while star WR Amon-Ra St. Brown had just 5 catches for 43 yards. Not only did the Packers quiet down ARSB, but they slowed Detroit’s great rushing attack. David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs both had quiet nights on the ground. They combined for just 94 yards on the ground, with Montgomery finding the end zone once. It was good to see that even when the stars are not having great games, they can still find a way to get the win.
This matchup, on paper, is one of the best we will see all season long in the NFL regular season. Both teams are great and have aspirations to get to the mountaintop after both have been close to doing so in the past.
Both teams like to be physical and run the football, but can they get it done through the air? With Josh Allen and Jared Goff in action, expect to see some great quarterback play in this one. One matchup we want to exploit in this one is Jahmyr Gibbs against this Bill defense.
The Bills defense for most of the year has been a run funnel, meaning they would rather be beaten up on the ground rather than through the air. They have allowed the 12th most rushing yards to running backs. The big stat that sticks out is that they have allowed the 2nd most receiving touchdowns to opposing running backs this season. With that, our Bills @ Detroit Lions NFL pick is on Jahmyr Gibbs scoring a touchdown at any point in the game.
Ross has been writing about sports for over a decade, spcecializing in the NFL, soccer and boxing. His written work has appeared on a number of online publications over that time.