Josh Allen powers Bills past Lions 41-31 in new Highmark Stadium opener

Buffalo opened its new home with the kind of offensive night built to survive a national spotlight. Josh Allen threw three touchdown passes and ran for two more scores as the Bills beat the Detroit Lions 41-31 Thursday night at the new Highmark Stadium.

The Bills scored touchdowns on their first four possessions and led 27-10 at halftime. Detroit never turned the ball over and kept answering in the second half, but Buffalo stayed in control by extending drives and running the ball effectively.

Allen put the Bills ahead with a 1-yard run on their first scoring drive, then found Joshua Palmer for a 43-yard touchdown that made it 14-0 late in the opening quarter. A 1-yard pass to Dawson Knox pushed the lead to 21 before Detroit reached the end zone. Dalton Kincaid's 16-yard touchdown catch sent Buffalo into halftime ahead 27-10 after the extra point was missed.

Detroit made the second half competitive. Jared Goff connected with Amon-Ra St. Brown for a 2-yard touchdown in the third quarter, and Sam LaPorta's 1-yard score cut the margin to 34-24 with 10:53 left. Goff finished 26 of 38 for 327 yards and four touchdowns, while St. Brown caught nine passes for 142 yards and two scores.

Buffalo answered by leaning on the part of its offense Detroit could not slow. James Cook III ran for 134 yards, and his 1-yard touchdown with 2:50 remaining made it 41-24. Detroit closed the scoring when Goff found St. Brown for a 27-yard touchdown with 1:42 left.

Allen completed 20 of 31 passes for 248 yards without an interception and added 72 yards on the ground. Kincaid led Buffalo with seven catches for 95 yards and a touchdown. The Bills' balanced offense kept Detroit chasing the game even as the Lions generated 327 passing yards.

The result gives Buffalo a 2-0 start after winning the first regular-season game at its new stadium. Detroit leaves with four touchdown passes and no turnovers, but also with a clear problem to address: the Lions fell into a three-score hole and never found a way to slow Buffalo's running game or Allen near the goal line.