Thursday, September 17, 2026

Week 2 Predictions

Week 2 preview: Buffalo Bills host Detroit Lions in Highmark Stadium opener (Predictions.- Cailey Thalman, Sports (1-0): Bills – 35, Lions – 27.  Ian Mills, Sports, (0-1): Bills – 42, Lions – 35.  Mat Mlodzinski, Sports (1-0): Lions – 34, Bills – 31):  https://www.whec.com/sports-news/week-2-preview-buffalo-bills-host-detroit-lions-in-highmark-stadium-opener/

USA Today Lions at Bills: Predictions, picks and odds for NFL Week 2 game (3 Pick the Bills to win by scores of 34-30, 38-31, 30-23.  1 picks the Lions to win 26-24):  https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/2026/09/16/lions-bills-score-predictions-week-2-game/91786347007/

NFL.com (4 pick the Bills to win by scores of 31-24, 34-24, 30-27, 31-24.  1 picks the Lions to win 28-24):  https://www.nfl.com/news/nfl-picks-week-2-2026-nfl-season

Pride of Detroit NFL Week 2 expert picks, score predictions: Lions at Bills (11 Pick the Bills to win by scores of 33-27, 28-24, 34-24, 27-24, 34-24, 35-24, 33-27, 31-30, 36-33, 30-20, 35-20.  2 Pick the Lions to win by scores of 38-30, 34-30):  https://www.prideofdetroit.com/nfl-picks/172907/nfl-week-2-detroit-lions-buffalo-bills-expert-picks-score-predictions

NFL.com Video - Lions vs. Bills preview | Week 2 (9 pick the Bills to win by scores of 27-24, 31-24, 30 - 28, 47-43, 38-31, 30-22, 31-24, 35-33, 34-23.  1 picks the Lions to win by scores of 30-27):  https://www.nfl.com/videos/lions-vs-bills-preview-week-2

Lions vs Bills picks, predictions, odds for NFL Week 2 game Thursday (Both pick the Bills to win by scores of 30-24, 28-24):  https://www.azcentral.com/story/sports/nfl/2026/09/14/detroit-lions-buffalo-bills-picks-predictions-odds-nfl-week-2/90382034007/

CBS Breech (Lions (1-0) at Bills (1-0) - Thursday, 8:15 p.m. ET (Stream on Amazon).  The Bills' new stadium will be hosting its first regular-season game ever on Thursday night and I have to say, I'm already looking forward to the complaints on social media. The Bills unofficially opened the stadium with a preseason game last month and, well, you know how the dinosaurs ate people when they tried to open Jurassic Park, that's kind of what happened here. No one got eaten, but this was definitely wasn't a smooth dry run and that's mostly because several hundred season-ticket holders found out that they couldn't actually see the entire field because they had an obstructed view.  The good news for anyone with an obstructed view is that this game is on Amazon, so you can just stream it from your phone and watch everything there. Would that defeat the purpose of buying a ticket to the game? Probably, but that's not for me to decide.  I think the best solution here is to just tear the entire stadium down and start again from scratch, but only if the Bills lose. You can't tear down a stadium while they're on a winning streak.  So is there any chance the Bills are going to lose? If Week 1 is any indication, it's certainly possible. The Lions and Bills combined to play zero defense last week. The Bills gave up 31 points to the Texans while the Lions defense gave up 30 to the Saints.   What I'm trying to say here is that I'm fully expecting a shootout.  Thursday night games can sometimes turn into a slog, but that usually doesn't apply to the first Thursday game of the season (And yes, I know there was a Thursday game last week, but this is the first Thursday game where the teams are coming in on a short week). In eight of the past 11 seasons, the first short-week Thursday matchup of that year has been decided by one score. In seven of the past 11 seasons, it's been a game where both teams scored at least 23 points.  When you think of short-week Thursday games, you think of boring, low-scoring games, but I don't think that's going to be the case here. The last time these two teams played came in 2024 in a game the Bills ended up winning 48-42. We got 90 total points we might top that here. The Over/Under should be set at 104.   The unfortunate part for the Lions is that their Week 1 game went to overtime, which means not only do they have to play on the road on a short week, but they have to do it after playing an extra 10 minutes on Sunday. That's brutal.   You know what else is brutal? The fact that I can never remember my Amazon Prime password and I'm going to need it to watch this game. If you need me, I'll be spending the next three hours asking my wife what the password is. I'm starting to think that she keeps me in the dark about the password so I can't see everything she's buying on Amazon. If the Bills score a point for every Amazon box that came to my house over the past month, they're going to win by 40. THE PICK: Bills 38-31 over Lions):  https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/nfl-week-2-picks-score-predictions/ 

SN Bender (Detroit Lions at Buffalo Bills (-4.5) - Thursday, 8:10 p.m., Prime.  The Bills open the new Highmark Stadium in a game that has a pair of top-10 offenses. The Lions are 2-4 ATS as a road underdog since last season – and Jared Goff will have to be more efficient. This line might drop a bit – and Jahmyr Gibbs is coming off a 156-yard performance in the opener. Josh Allen should thrive against a Detroit defense that allowed 410 passing yards to Tyler Shough.  Pick: Bills 28, Lions 26):  https://www.sportingnews.com/us/nfl/news/nfl-picks-predictions-week-2/830bbe1e7598cf3caadc2a70

SN Iyer (Game of Midweek: Lions at Bills (-4.5, 53.5 o/u) - Thursday 8:15 p.m. ET, Amazon Prime.  The Lions and Bills both won some wild 30-plus point shootouts in Week 1, so this is quite the explosive way to start the week between 1-0 teams loaded both in the running and passing games. Buffalo's defense should rebound better at home while Detroit is coming off a near-historic breakdown. Jahmyr Gibbs vs. James Cook will be speedy good fun, but the difference will be Josh Allen at home vs. Jared Goff on the road. The Bills open their new stadium in style. Pick: Bills win 34-27 and cover the spread.):  https://www.sportingnews.com/us/nfl/news/nfl-picks-predictions-against-spread-week-2/ac8832bceab0d79753295421

Walter Football (Week 2 NFL Pick: Bills 31, Lions 24):  https://walterfootball.com/nflpicks2026_02early.php

CBS Sullivan (Lions at Bills (Thursday) - Projected score: Bills 31, Lions 27):  https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/nfl-week-2-odds-picks-jets-browns/

Lions vs. Bills Prediction Lab: Detroit has a path to the upset — but one thing could wreck it (Prediction: Bills 34, Lions 31:  I think at the end of the day it’s the Bills. I’ve got Buffalo winning 34-31. It’s going to be high-scoring. It’s going to be a shootout. I don’t think either team’s defense is going to come out of this thing looking great. No one is going to call this a defensive hard-fought battle. And honestly, is that even what you would want? You want what everybody else wants: a high-octane offensive shootout with big explosive plays.  There’s a lot going against the Lions here. I think they have some things to fix in the secondary, and I do believe they will clean those up. Maybe the Joey Porter trade is coming down the line, and I certainly feel like it has unbelievable potential of happening, like potential I’ve never thought a trade in Detroit could have. But right now, trying to fix that secondary after three days and getting back on track against a Bills team playing the home opener of their brand new stadium with a raucous crowd? That’s not easy to do.  The Bills are going to use everything they have: crowd noise, the ability to generate explosives, and the talent to edge it out. Maybe whoever has the ball last wins it, and it’s the Bills with a walk-off field goal. But if I’ve learned anything from covering this team for 13 years, it’s that Week 1 might be the biggest liar of all. Don’t always believe what happens in Week 1, because those teams very often come into Week 2 and look nothing like they did the week before. We’ll see what happens Thursday night.):  https://atozsports.com/nfl/detroit-lions-news/lions-vs-bills-prediction-lab-detroit-has-a-path-to-the-upset-but-one-thing-could-wreck-it/

CBS Prisco (Detroit Lions at Buffalo Bills (-4.5) - Thursday, 8:15 p.m. on Amazon Prime.  This will be a treat to watch. Both offenses can roll up big numbers and the defenses have issues. But playing on the road on a short week is always a challenge and it will be for the Lions. Look for Josh Allen to win a shootout with Jared Goff and the Lions' offense. Enjoy the fireworks.  Pick: Bills 36, Lions 30):  https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/priscos-week-2-nfl-picks/

Pro Picks: Rams will rebound but Giants will cover the spread (DETROIT (1-0) at BUFFALO (1-0) - Line: Bills minus 4 1/2.  Josh Allen was spectacular against Houston’s stingy defense, though he was a dropped pick away from losing the game. Joe Brady’s Bills will be fired up to play their home opener in a new stadium. Jared Goff, Jahmyr Gibbs and a new-look offensive line were impressive against New Orleans. The defense struggled, as usual.  BILLS: 30-23):  https://apnews.com/article/rams-giants-mcvay-harbaugh-garrett-donald-3a1374b3be3f9670da6f622c20ab56e7

Sportsbook Wire Detroit Lions at Buffalo Bills odds, picks and predictions (Prediction - Bills 31, Lions 27):  https://sportsbookwire.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/2026/09/16/lions-at-bills-odds-picks-and-predictions/91798242007/

Lions-Bills Week 2 score predictions from MLive’s beat writers (All 3 Pick the Bills to win by scores of 38-30, 45-31, 31-27):  https://www.mlive.com/lions/2026/09/lions-bills-week-2-score-predictions-from-mlives-beat-writers.html

Bills-Lions: Who you got? Buffalo News writers make their Week 2 predictions (All 4 pick the Bills to win by scores of 31-27, 34-31, 35-28, 48-42):  https://auburnpub.com/sports/bills/article_72d5de5b-bfbc-509a-973c-def1e35a0ade.html

Lions OnSI (All 4 pick the Bills to win by scores of 30-27, 34-24, 30-23, 34-24):  https://www.si.com/nfl/lions/onsi/expert-predictions-for-detroit-lions-matchup-with-buffalo-bills-2026

CBS Dubin Previewing Lions vs. Bills: High-powered offenses kick off Week 2 as Buffalo unveils new stadium (Pick: Bills 35, Lions 31):  https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/previewing-prediction-lions-bills-nfl-week-2-thursday/

CBS Dajani (Detroit Lions at Buffalo Bills (-4.5) (TNF) - Thursday, 8:15 p.m. ET on Amazon Prime.  Dajani (Bills -4.5): This could be the game of the year. Not only are these two of the best teams in the NFL, both being tied with the Philadelphia Eagles for the league's best record since 2023 at 37-15, but it's also the first regular-season game in the new Highmark Stadium! It's going to be a night talked about in Buffalo forever. That's why it's around $400 to get in the door, per Ticketmaster. Something has to give here. The Bills have won five straight vs. the Detroit Lions and are 10-2 in their past 12 primetime home games. But the Lions are 14-3 in primetime over the last five seasons, which is the best mark in the NFL! Jared Goff has averaged 351.7 passing yards per game against the Bills -- but has an 0-3 record. Last time Goff played Buffalo, he became the only quarterback in NFL history to lose a game with 400 passing yards, five touchdowns and zero interceptions, according to CBS Sports Research. Insane. I'm expecting an absolute shootout on Thursday night, and 4.5 points is more than I was anticipating. However, the Lions' injury report has me leaning toward Buffalo. Goff is down his starting right tackle in Blake Miller, and starting left guard in Christian Mahogany. I saw Buffalo's defensive front get an impressive push in Houston, and ultimately win that game by stripping C.J. Stroud of the football. Bills win in a thrilling home opener. … Prediction: Bills 36, Lions 30):  https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/nfl-week-2-picks-lions-bills-bengals-texans/

PFT’s Week 2 2026 NFL picks (Lions at Bills (Thursday night):  It’s one of only three games pitting teams that won in Week 1. And it features a couple of the best players in the entire league in Josh Allen and Jahmyr Gibbs.  Buffalo escaped Houston with a victory, and Detroit managed to hold off the Saints after blowing a 21-0 lead.  Expect plenty of points for the first game to be played in Buffalo’s new stadium. As long as the grass cooperates.  Bills 34, Lions 26.):  https://www.nbcsports.com/nfl/profootballtalk/rumor-mill/news/pfts-week-2-2026-nfl-picks

Freep (All 4 pick the Bills to win by scores of 27-20, 34-24, 31-27, 35-30):  https://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2026/09/17/lions-bills-predictions-nfl-week-2-picks/91788630007/

Detroit News (All 4 pick the Bills to win by scores of 31-27, 31-27, 38-30, 37-34):  https://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2026/09/17/pred mmictions-lions-at-buffalo-bills/91765229007/

NFL RealGM (Detroit Lions at Buffalo Bills (-4.5): Detroit played a tale of two halves in Week 1, and it’s pretty straightforward how this game will go based on which Lions team shows up in Buffalo’s new stadium. The suffocating, pressuring defense that dominated the Saints in the first half will win this game, Josh Allen be damned. The Detroit team that couldn’t stop Tyler Shough throwing to Devaughn Vele will get run out of the debut regular-season game in Highmark Stadium. Buffalo’s defensive struggles in the middle of the field against the Texans don’t match up well with Detroit’s high-powered offense, but if Allen, D.J. Moore and Dalton Kincaid stay hot, it won’t matter.  Bills 34, Lions 30):  https://football.realgm.com/analysis/3710/Football-Meteorology-For-NFL-Week-2

AthlonSports Detroit Lions at Buffalo Bills NFL Prediction, Picks, Odds for Week 2 (Bills 31, Lions 24):  https://athlonsports.com/nfl/detroit-lions-at-buffalo-bills-nfl-prediction-picks-odds-2026-nfl-week2

TheBigLead (Detroit Lions vs.Buffalo Bills (8:15 p.m. ET, Prime Video) - Both teams enter Week 2 with 1-0 records, but the Lions certainly benefitted from good fortune against the New Orleans Saints. Detroit certainly struggled to put away the Saints, and Josh Allen and Co. will be tougher.  The Bills enter the second week of the season with a lot of confidence after taking down the Houston Texans. Buffalo’s strong offensive output is encouraging after D.J. Moore got into the end zone in his team debut. Pick: Bills 27, Lions 21):  https://www.thebiglead.com/nfl-week-2-picks-predictions-patriots-face-0-2-crisis/


Non-Score Predictions:

ESPN (10 pick the Bills to win.  1 picks the Lions to win):  https://www.espn.com/nfl/picks




96 Pick the Bills to win.  8 Pick the Lions to win.  The Average Predicted Score is (2418-2017/74):  Bills 33 Lions 27
Posted by LionsFan at 7:37 PM

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