Detroit Lions at Buffalo Bills 2026 Preview: Prediction, Betting Odds & 4 Prop Bets

Thursday, September 17, 2026 Time: 8:15 PM ET Location: Highmark Stadium, Orchard Park, New York TV/Streaming: Prime Video Tickets: As low as $400 Line: Buffalo -3.5 Moneyline: Buffalo -179 / Detroit +151 Over/Under: 53.5

Thursday Night Football opens with a heavyweight matchup as the 1-0 Detroit Lions visit the 1-0 Buffalo Bills.

Detroit survived New Orleans 31-30 in overtime Sunday. Jahmyr Gibbs was sensational, rushing 29 times for 156 yards and two touchdowns, while Jared Goff completed 26 of 39 passes for 206 yards and two scores. Amon-Ra St. Brown caught both touchdowns, including the four-yard overtime score.

Buffalo opened with an equally dramatic 36-31 road victory over Houston. Josh Allen threw for 334 yards and two touchdowns and rushed for two more scores. Dalton Kincaid produced 130 receiving yards, while offseason addition DJ Moore caught five passes for 100 yards and a touchdown.

The current market matches the supplied numbers, with Buffalo favored by 3.5 and the total at 53.5. Thursday will also mark Buffalo’s regular-season home debut in the new Highmark Stadium.

Top Four Prop Bets

Exact player props vary by sportsbook. The numbers below are projected betting targets unless your book offers them.

Prop Bet #1: Josh Allen Over 289.5 Passing Yards

DraftKings

4.5/5

Tip: Allen Over 289.5 Passing Yards

• 334 Yards Week 1
• Detroit Allowed 30 Points
• Elite Receiving Weapons

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Allen immediately looked dangerous in Buffalo’s new offensive setup, throwing for 334 yards against Houston and producing four total touchdowns.

Detroit just surrendered 30 points to New Orleans, and this matchup should force Allen to stay aggressive for four quarters.

With Moore, Kincaid, Khalil Shakir and Joshua Palmer all involved, 300 yards is realistic.

Projected Bet: Josh Allen Over 289.5 Passing Yards

Prop Bet #2: Jahmyr Gibbs Over 89.5 Rushing Yards

FanDuel

4.6/5

Tip: Gibbs Over 89.5 Rushing Yards

• 156 Yards Week 1
• 29 Carries
• Detroit Offensive Centerpiece

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Gibbs dominated Detroit’s opener with 156 rushing yards on 29 attempts, while also adding five catches for 30 yards.

Buffalo held James Cook to only 57 yards against Houston, but Detroit’s offensive line and commitment to Gibbs present a different challenge.

Even in a potential shootout, Gibbs should remain heavily involved.

Projected Bet: Jahmyr Gibbs Over 89.5 Rushing Yards

Prop Bet #3: DJ Moore Over 69.5 Receiving Yards

Caesars

4.4/5

Tip: Moore Over 69.5 Receiving Yards

• 100 Yards in Bills Debut
• Eight Targets
• 43-Yard Touchdown

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Moore’s first regular-season game with Allen produced five catches for 100 yards and a touchdown on eight targets.

His 43-yard touchdown against Houston showed exactly why Buffalo acquired him: he gives Allen another explosive downfield threat.

Detroit’s aggressive offense should force Buffalo to continue throwing rather than protecting a lead.

Projected Bet: DJ Moore Over 69.5 Receiving Yards

Prop Bet #4: Over 53.5 Points

BetMGM

4.5/5

Tip: Over 53.5 Points

• Detroit Scored 31
• Buffalo Scored 36
• Allen vs Goff

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Detroit’s Week 1 game produced 61 points, while Buffalo’s produced 67.

Both offenses possess elite quarterbacks, explosive running backs and multiple dangerous receiving options.

A total of 53.5 is high, but neither defense showed enough in Week 1 to make the under particularly attractive.

Bet: Over 53.5 Points

Players to Watch

Josh Allen, QB, Bills: Accounted for four touchdowns and 334 passing yards against Houston.

DJ Moore, WR, Bills: Finished his Buffalo debut with 100 yards and a touchdown.

Dalton Kincaid, TE, Bills: Caught five passes for a game-high 130 yards against Houston.

Jahmyr Gibbs, RB, Lions: Produced 186 scrimmage yards and two touchdowns in Week 1.

Jared Goff, QB, Lions: Threw two touchdowns without an interception in Detroit’s overtime victory.

Amon-Ra St. Brown, WR, Lions: Caught 10 passes for 67 yards and two touchdowns on 14 targets.

Keys to the Game

Detroit

Detroit must continue feeding Gibbs while preventing Buffalo from turning the matchup into an Allen-controlled track meet.

Defensively, slowing Kincaid in the middle and preventing Moore from producing explosive plays will be critical.

Buffalo

Buffalo must tackle Gibbs better than New Orleans did and force Goff into obvious passing situations.

Offensively, Allen should attack a Detroit defense that allowed New Orleans to erase a seven-point deficit late and force overtime.

Betting Prediction

This looks like one of the highest-scoring matchups of Week 2.

Buffalo owns home field and the quarterback capable of creating something when structure breaks down, but Detroit’s offense has enough firepower to stay within one possession.

The 3.5 points are important. Buffalo can win by a field goal while Detroit still covers.

The strongest play is the over.

The Verdict

Expect Allen and Goff to trade scoring drives, with Gibbs controlling Detroit’s ground attack and Moore and Kincaid creating explosive plays for Buffalo.

The Bills ultimately get the final possession in their regular-season debut at the new Highmark Stadium and escape with another close victory.

Final Score Prediction: Buffalo Bills 31, Detroit Lions 30

Best Bet: Over 53.5

Against the Spread: Detroit +3.5

Moneyline: Buffalo -179

Top Player Prop: Josh Allen Over 289.5 Passing Yards

Additional Props: Jahmyr Gibbs Over 89.5 Rushing Yards | DJ Moore Over 69.5 Receiving Yards