Buffalo, N.Y. – In front of a packed crowd at the brand‑new Highmark Stadium, quarterback Josh Allen stamped his authority on the Bills’ $2.1 billion home. Allen accounted for five touchdowns – three through the air and two on the ground – as Buffalo rolled past the Detroit Lions, 41‑31, in the stadium’s first regular‑season game.
Allen’s historic performance
Allen completed 20 of 31 passes for 248 yards and added 72 rushing yards. His two rushing scores moved his career total to 83, tying him with Hall of Famer Jim Taylor for 18th on the NFL’s all‑time list. The win also marked Allen’s 90th regular‑season victory, joining an elite group of quarterbacks who have reached that milestone within their first nine seasons.
Key moments
The Bills opened the scoring early, with Allen diving into the end zone on a 1‑yard run just under six minutes into the first quarter. He followed that with a 43‑yard strike to wide receiver Josh Palmer, who was left wide open on the play. Tight ends Dalton Kincaid (16‑yard catch) and Dawson Knox (1‑yard catch) also found the end zone before halftime.
Buffalo’s offense continued to dominate, stringing together touchdown drives on each of its first four possessions. Running back James Cook contributed 134 rushing yards and capped the victory with a 1‑yard touchdown run with 2:50 left on the clock.
Lions’ struggle
Detroit fought back from a 21‑0 hole to narrow the margin to 34‑24, but the Lions’ offense stalled in the fourth quarter. Quarterback Jared Goff finished 26 of 38 for 327 yards and four touchdowns, while receiver Amon‑Ra St. Brown hauled in nine catches for 142 yards and two scores. Running back Jahmyr Gibbs added an 11‑yard receiving touchdown but was limited to 52 rushing yards.
Injuries hampered Detroit’s effort. Defensive back Avonte Maddox left the game with a right‑foot injury, and the Lions entered the contest without two offensive linemen – Blake Miller (knee) and Christian Mahogany (hip). The Bills also dealt with a loss, as defensive lineman Ed Oliver was ruled out after a hip injury in pre‑game warmups.
What the new stadium means for Buffalo
Highmark Stadium, officially opened last month, replaces the Bills’ former home across the street. The state‑of‑the‑art facility is expected to boost the local economy, create jobs, and provide a modern venue for fans and community events. The successful debut, highlighted by Allen’s five‑touchdown showcase, sets a positive tone for the Bills’ season and the stadium’s role as a gathering place for Western New York.
Looking ahead
Next week the Bills host the New England Patriots on September 27, while the Lions travel to New York to face the Jets on the same day.
Original reporting: Texarkana Gazette — read the source article.
