Josh Allen threw three touchdown passes and ran for two more scores to lead the Buffalo Bills to a 41-31 victory over the Detroit Lions on Thursday night in the first regular-season game at the $2.1 billion Highmark Stadium, according to the Associated Press. The performance marked Allen’s sixth career five-touchdown game, helping the Bills secure a dominant home-opening win in Orchard Park, New York.
Josh Allen and Buffalo Offense Dominate Stadium Debut
According to the Associated Press, Allen opened the scoring with a 1-yard touchdown plunge 5:51 into the first quarter. He followed it up by connecting with Josh Palmer on a 43-yard touchdown pass after two Detroit defenders converged on DJ Moore in the flats. Tight ends Dalton Kincaid, with a 16-yard reception, and Dawson Knox, with a 1-yard catch, also scored in the first half as Buffalo built a 27-point opening-two-quarters display.
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Allen finished the night 20 of 31 passing for 248 yards while adding 69 rushing yards. His second rushing touchdown of the night was the 83rd of his career, tying him with Jim Taylor for 18th on the NFL all-time list, according to the Associated Press. Running back James Cook sealed the win for Buffalo with a 1-yard touchdown run with 2:50 remaining on the clock, finishing his night with 134 rushing yards.
Detroit Lions Mount Comeback Bid But Fall Short
The Lions struggled early against a potent Bills offense, falling into a 21-0 hole with 11:48 left in the second quarter. Detroit head coach Dan Campbell told the Associated Press after the game that his team lacked the luxury of starting slowly against a high-powered opponent.
“When you play an opponent as potent as this, you don’t have the luxury of spitting and sputtering early,” Campbell said, according to the Associated Press.
Quarterback Jared Goff rallied the Lions by completing 26 of 38 passes for 327 yards and four touchdowns. Wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown caught nine passes for 142 yards and two scores, while Jahmyr Gibbs added an 11-yard touchdown catch alongside 52 yards rushing. Sam LaPorta chipped in a 1-yard touchdown catch that cut Buffalo’s lead to 34-24 early in the fourth quarter. However, the Detroit offense stalled on the ensuing drive, going three-and-out from their own 10-yard line before punting back to Buffalo.
Historical Context of Highmark Stadium’s Opening
Buffalo’s 41 points rank as the third-most by any NFL team in a regular-season stadium debut. The record remains held by Dallas, which scored 44 points in its first game at Texas Stadium in 1971, followed by Miami’s 42 points at Joe Robbie Stadium in 1987, according to the Associated Press.
For Allen, the night carried personal significance beyond the record books. Standing in the newly built facility constructed directly across the street from the team’s former home, the 30-year-old quarterback reflected on the milestone during the pregame anthems.
“I caught myself taking it all in and understanding how cool what I get to do,” Allen said, according to the Associated Press. “My job is the coolest in the world.”