Bills vs Lions: Stock up/down from Buffalo’s Week 2 win
The Buffalo Bills defeated the Detroit Lions in their first game at the new Highmark Stadium, 41-31, to improve to 2-0.
Buffalo put up four touchdowns on their first four drives, led by the man at the helm, Josh Allen. Cook got back on track this week, leading the Bills on the ground while breaking the century mark. Rousseau continued his dominance this week, getting to Jared Goff four times Thursday night.
Here is my stock up and down from Buffalo’s home opener:
Stock up
Josh Allen came out hot and did not slow down. He finished with five total touchdowns on the night, two of which came on the ground, and three through the air. Allen had 248 yards passing, along with 69 yards on the ground.
Allen now continues his dominance on prime time, as he is now 9-1 on Thursday nights.
James Cook was the rushing leader for Buffalo, finishing with 135 rushing yards and a rushing touchdown on 21 carries. Cook was a large part to the rhythm that the Bills offense was in, as Buffalo came out in 12 personnel to run the ball more often following the departure of DJ Moore before half.
With Moore out following his injury in the first half, Keon Coleman became one of Allen’s more reliable targets. Coleman finished the night with six targets and hauled them all in for 63 receiving yards.
Dalton Kincaid once again led the Bills in receiving this week. He finished with seven receptions for 95 receiving yards and a touchdown. Kincaid is one of if not the best target Allen’s had in his career, and he continues to be a huge weapon for the Bills’ offensive success.
Rousseau is beginning to have a monster season alongside veteran Bradley Chubb. His Week 1 showing was phenomenal, and he continued more of the same in Week 2. He finished Thursday night with three total tackles, two tackles for loss, two sacks, and one forced fumble.
The Bills’ edge addition this offseason was getting veteran Bradley Chubb, and he has helped tremendously in his role so far. Thursday night Chubb finished with four total tackles, a tackle for loss, and 1.5 sacks.
The Bills OLB duo is getting right to work early this season, meshing well on the defensive line.
The 6’ 7”, 330-pound monster Buffalo has on their defensive line is now in his second year as a pro out of Kentucky, and he is causing problems for opposing offenses. Walker finished with seven pressures against Detroit, along with three quarterback hits and three pass deflections. Walker’s success can be largely attributed to Jim Leonhard’s new 3-4 defense, which puts him at nose tackle where he has thrived.
Stock down
Christian Benford
The Bills secondary was lackluster all game long and have not found the answer for shutting down offense’s top-receiving threats in back-to-back weeks. In Week 1 it was Nico Collins racking up yardage and a score on Christian Benford, and in Week 2 it was Amon-Ra St. Brown who racked up the yardage and two touchdowns.
Benford has played tough competition early in the season, but it does not undermine the outcome in both weeks.
Offense without DJ Moore
The Bills offense had some struggles without DJ Moore in the mix. Following his departure late in the second quarter due to a shoulder injury, the offense relied heavily on heavy tight end sets and a run-heavy attack.
Buffalo without Moore only had four receivers: Khalil Shakir, Keon Coleman, Josh Palmer, and Greg Dortch, with rookie Skyler Bell inactive for the first two weeks. The absence of Moore was enough for the Lions defense to adjust and hold the Bills to only two touchdowns in the second half.
About The Author
Daniel Adams
Writer for Built In Buffalo News. English and Journalism Student at St. Joseph’s University.
