Bills at Lions: Good and bad from Buffalo’s Week 15 win 

The Buffalo Bills took down the number one team in the NFC, the Detroit Lions, 48-42 in Week 15.

Josh Allen and the Bills offense put up a phenomenal game against Detroit and were firing on all cylinders from the first snap. The Bills defense went into the game a bit banged up, playing without safeties Damar Hamlin and Taylor Rapp, along with cornerback Rasul Douglas.

The Bills were able to keep the Lions on their toes and were able to score at will. Defensively, the Bills defense held the versatile Lions’ run game to only 48 yards. The Bills will look to clean some things up on the defensive side of the ball and keep up their offensive firepower as they face the New England Patriots next week at Highmark Stadium.  

The good  

Josh Allen  

Josh Allen once again put up an MVP-level performance in this week’s victory. He finished with 362 passing yards and threw two touchdowns. He was 23/34 and ended the game with a QBR of 95.3. Allen also got involved in the run game, finishing with 68 rushing yards on 11 carries and had two rushing touchdowns. Allen continues to play at an all-time high, breaking numerous records, and the Bills hope he keeps the offense rolling going forward and into the postseason.  

James Cook 

Running back James Cook had a great game in Buffalo’s win over Detroit. Cook led the Bills in rushing with 105 rushing yards on 14 carries and had two rushing touchdowns. Cook has become an electric and reliable running back for Buffalo. He has established himself as a significant player since being drafted in 2022 and the Bills hope to lean on him in the run game to finish out the regular season and into the postseason.  

Ty Johnson  

Running back Ty Johnson has become more than just a running back for Buffalo, he has been one of the most reliable targets for quarterback Josh Allen. Johnson finished the game leading the Bills in receiving yards with 114 on 5 receptions. Johnson has been getting more use as a pass catcher than he has at the running back position, yet he has made the most of every opportunity he has been given. Expect the Bills to continue to use Johnson out of the backfield as a reliable pass catching back.  

Khalil Shakir  

Wide receiver Khalil Shakir continues to be the most consistent receiver for Buffalo and quarterback Josh Allen. Shakir had a good performance in Buffalo’s win over Detroit, leading the Bills in receptions with six and finishing with 39 receiving yards and one touchdown. The Bills will utilize Shakir in big margins going forward into the playoffs.  

The b,ad  

Containing Amon-Ra St. Brown  

The Bills secondary was banged up going into this game, being without safety Damar Hamlin as well as safety Taylor Rapp, along with cornerback Rasul Douglas. The Bills starting secondary consisted of cornerback Christian Benford, cornerback Kaiir Elam, safety Cole Bishop, and safety Cam Lewis. While the secondary was banged up, the Bills could not contain superstar wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown, who finished with 193 receiving yards on 14 receptions. St. Brown also tacked on a receiving touchdown, finishing off a great performance against Buffalo’s secondary. The Bills will look to get healthy next week against the New England Patriots and be fully healthy heading into the postseason.  

Tyler Bass  

Bills kicker Tyler Bass continues to miss kicks that he can easily convert. Bass attempted a 24-yard field goal that would have put the Bills ahead by 10 with one minute and 40 seconds left in the first half, yet he missed it to the right of the goal post. The miss did not seem to deem large for Buffalo, but it is a kick that Bass can normally make, and the Bills hope he will clean up these misses moving forward.  

Amari Cooper  

Wide receiver Amari Cooper was shunned out of Buffalo’s win over Detroit. Cooper finished the game with zero targets and ultimately was not involved in the Bills gameplan. Cooper is one of the best receivers on the Bills roster and Buffalo should look to get him more involved going forward. Cooper is now six games in with Buffalo and will look to start producing more for the Bills offense.