Thursday Night Football: Winners, Losers from Buffalo Bills’ Statement Win Over Detroit Lions
· Yahoo Sports
NFL Week 2 kicked off with a highly-anticipated matchup between the Detroit Lions and Buffalo Bills, a potential showcase of two of the best NFL teams. What we got in first-ever game at Highmark Stadium was an utter display of dominance from Buffalo.
Let’s dive into our winners and losers from the Lions vs Bills on Thursday Night Football.
Visit michezonews.co.za for more information.
Winner: Greg Rousseau, EDGE, Buffalo Bills
Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn ImagesBills edge rusher Greg Rousseau is in his sixth season, but he is still just 26 years old after entering the league as one of the youngest players in the 2021 NFL Draft. He has been a very productive player to this point, coming off consecutive seasons with 20-plus quarterback hits and at least 7 sacks. It appears we are seeing him take a major leap forward in 2026. After recording 2 sacks in Week 1 against the Houston Texans, Rousseau matched that total in the first half alone on Thursday Night Football versus Detroit. A double-digit sack season appears imminent, and his continued emergence is huge for Buffalo’s defense.
Loser: Avonte Maddox, CB, Detroit Lions
Detroit Lions cornerback Avonte Maddox (29) practices during training camp at Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park on Monday, July 28, 2025.Before leaving this game with an injury, Lions cornerback Avonte Maddox made a costly mistake. It seemed as if Detroit’s defense would finally be on the verge of a stop, forcing a 3rd-and-11 from its 43-yard line. Then, Maddox got caught biting on Khalil Shakir’s crossing route near the chains, and that left Joshua Palmer wide open, with the pass easily being hauled in and then taken in for the 43-yard touchdown. What could have been a pivotal stop to get the Bills offense off the field and potentially keep it at 7-0 instead resulted in a two-score game because of Maddox’s mistake.
Winner: Josh Allen, QB, Buffalo Bills
Mandatory Credit: Gregory Fisher-Imagn ImagesJosh Allen made Detroit pay immediately on the game’s opening drive. Buffalo’s quarterback picked up runs of 13-, 12- and 14-yards to set things up at the 1-yard line before taking it in himself. With that threat established early, Lions defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard and his off-ball defenders had to account for it even more, which made it easier for Buffalo’s receivers to start creating separation in the short and intermediate areas. Allen also took advantage of Detroit’s banged-up secondary, ending the first half completing 12-of-19 passes for 164 yards and 3 touchdown passes. While he already has an NFL MVP on his trophy case, this feels like the best version of Allen we’ve seen considering what he did in Week 1 to Houston.
Loser: Detroit Lions Offensive Line
Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff (16) calls for a snap against New Orleans Saints from offensive lineman Juice Scruggs (70) during the second half at Ford Field in Detroit on Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026.The Lions offensive line was already a concern coming into the season. Starting center Cade Mays (wrist) opened the season on the PUP list, and the situation was only made worse ahead of Thursday Night Football with right tackle Blake Miller and guard Christian Mahogany ruled out with injuries. Late in the first quarter, replacement center Juice Scruggs snapped the football over Jared Goff’s head, which killed the third-down attempt and forced Detroit to punt from even further back. The front five itself was abysmal in the first half, allowing 5 quarterback hits, 4 tackles for loss, and 3 sacks in the first half alone. At that point, the team was in such a deep hole that Detroit had to abandon the run game while Buffalo’s aggressive front seven could pin its ears back and keep coming after Goff in the second half.
Winner: Dalton Kincaid, TE, Buffalo Bills
Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn ImagesIt is only Week 2, but there is ample evidence right now that Buffalo has 2 breakthrough stars emerging. As Roussea elevates his game to provide the Bills defense with a game-wrecker who could challenge for second-team All-Pro honors at his current pace, tight end Dalton Kincaid is becoming “the guy” on offense. A week after torching Houston’s defense for 130 yards on just 6 targets (5 receptions), Kincaid scored his first touchdown of the season on Thursday Night Football and is now already over 200 receiving yards through 2 weeks. For comparison, Kincaid had 179 receiving yards in the first 4 regular-season games in 2025. The talent was always there, and now, in his fourth season, Kincaid looks like he will be one of the best playmakers at tight end.
Loser: Kelvin Sheppard, Detroit Lions Defensive Coordinator
Detroit Lions defensive end Aidan Hutchinson (97) shakes hands with defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard ahead of a game against the New Orleans Saints at Ford Field in Detroit on Sunday Sept. 13, 2026.From the start of the third quarter in Week 1 to the end of the third quarter on Thursday Night Football, the Lions defense has allowed 64 points and 732 total yards. We understand that Detroit is missing Brian Branch and Kerby Joseph, 2 integral parts of their secondary. However, former Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn still fielded serviceable units when his defense was decimated by injuries. That has not really been the case under Kelvin Sheppard. It is worth remembering at this point that after Glenn’s departure, Sheppard was immediately made the Lions defensive coordinator. After all, he had a long-standing history with head coach Dan Campbell. Unfortunately for Detroit, it has become apparent that Sheppard does not seem to be the caliber of defensive play-caller who can make the most out of what he is given, and the lack of in-game adjustments is appalling. It is starting to appear like Campbell whiffed on his replacements for both Glenn and Ben Johnson.
Winner: James Cook, RB, Buffalo Bills
Mandatory Credit: Thomas Shea-Imagn ImagesJames Cook is one of the biggest reasons why the Bills offense was so effective on third down tonight. The Pro Bowl running back’s longest run went for 35 yards, but it was what he did with all of his other carries that really stood out. Cook consistently picked up 4-6 yards per attempt, putting Buffalo in a spot where it had a 2nd-and-5 or 3rd-and-short, and that opened up all kinds of possibilities for Joe Brady on third-down attempts. Cook’s first 100-yard game of the season will be overshadowed by Allen’s 5-touchdown performance in 3 quarters, but it played an integral role in the team’s success. Fittingly, Buffalo rewarded him at the end with the dagger touchdown.