Photo: Junfu Han ~ USA TODAY NETWORK
DETROIT, December 15, 2024 ~ The Detroit Lions could not keep the opposing offense off the field in the team’s second loss of the season against the Buffalo Bills Sunday afternoon. The 48-42 defeat marks the second time Detroit has been taken down at Ford Field in 2024.
The Lions came out flat to start both halves, while the Bills capitalized on both of their opening possessions. Buffalo quarterback Josh Allen made countless plays all game long, finding his receivers down field while extending the pocket using his legs. The MVP candidate finished with four total touchdowns, also helping lead his offense to over 500 total yards.
“We have to do a better job in the secondary,” cornerback Terrion Arnold told WJR Correspondent Nick Lundberg after the game. ”I think our urgency has to be better. We played against a really good football team but we have to not turn against each other.”
The Lions did not have much success running the ball for the majority of the game, but the passing rhythm kept them in it when the defense could not hold. Quarterback Jared Goff threw five touchdown passes, one of them going to wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown for 66 yards and one to offensive lineman Dan Skipper on a trick play.
SOCIAL MEDIA:
.@Lions T @DanSkipper70 is the third offensive lineman in franchise history to record a receiving TD, joining @__taylordecker and Scott Conover.#OnePride pic.twitter.com/ZRefXDQ1o6
— Detroit Lions PR (@LionsPR) December 15, 2024
(CONTINUED) Despite troubles running the ball, running back Jahmyr Gibbs got on the board with both a rushing and receiving touchdown. Not to be outdone by Bills running back James Cook though, who recorded two rushing touchdowns of his own and over 100 yards on the ground.
Three key mistakes cost the Lions besides for the lack of an answer for Allen. St. Brown fumbled in the middle of the field on a questionable call in the third quarter to set up Buffalo’s fifth touchdown while kicker Jake Bates missed his only field goal of the day from 50 yards. Head coach Dan Campbell also made a risky choice choosing to onside kick early in the fourth quarter which backfired, resulting in a walk-in score from five yards out after a huge return.
Injuries decimated Detroit throughout the afternoon as two starters left with injuries in cornerback Carlton Davis III and defensive tackle Alim McNeill. Kick returner and back up cornerback Khalil Dorsey had to be carted off the field after a big hit near the goal line.
Detroit will head to Chicago next weekend for the second matchup of the season with the Bears for a chance to remain perfect in NFC North games and stay at the top of the NFC.
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