Score, highlights, stats, where to watch NFL game

10:00 pm ET

Josh Allen stats at halftime

Jacob Camenker

Allen has had a stellar outing against the Lions thus far. He has already logged four total touchdowns (three passing, one rushing) and has accounted for more yardage than the entire Lions' offense.

Overall, Allen has completed 12 of 19 passes for 164 yards and three touchdowns while adding 40 rushing yards and a touchdown on four carries.

9:55 pm ET

Bills vs Lions halftime score: Buffalo dominating Detroit, hold 27-10 lead

Jacob Camenker

Jake Bates was able to tack on a 31-yard field goal for the Lions to end the first half, but it was a tiny positive development in what was otherwise a disastrous half of action for Detroit.

The Lions have struggled mightily to contain the Bills, who have seen Josh Allen and James Cook run roughshod on Detroit's defense. Allen has read the field incredibly well and has shown off his dual-threat ability with 40 rushing yards and a touchdown on four carries.

The only negative for the Bills was losing No. 1 receiver DJ Moore to a shoulder injury in the first half. His return is currently questionable, but losing him would be a blow to Buffalo's receiving room.

Meanwhile, very little has gone right for the Lions' offense, but Jared Goff started to get into a better rhythm in the second half of the second quarter. His banged-up offensive line has struggled to protect him, but if Goff can better distribute the ball to Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams after halftime, the Lions may at least be able to cut into their 17-point deficit.

But as Dan Campbell said to Amazon Prime's Kaylee Hartung entering the locker room, they also have to "cut out the penalties." Detroit has been charged with seven in the first half. They have only gone for 36 yards, but one wiped out a red-zone interception.

9:31 pm ET

DJ Moore injury update

Tom Viera

The Bills offseason acquisition was forced out of the game after landing hard on his left shoulder while trying to make a diving catch in the end zone late in the second quarter. He remained down on the ground, favoring his shoulder, before medical staff were called onto the field to tend to him.

Moore eventually walked off the field on his own. The Bills announced that Moore is questionable to return with a "shoulder and stinger." They took him to the locker room for X-rays.

9:28 pm ET

Bills vs Lions score update: Dalton Kincaid grabs 16-yard touchdown to answer Lions' score

Jacob Camenker

It didn't take long for Buffalo to answer Detroit's score. The Bills mounted a four-play, 68-yard drive that ended with Josh Allen hitting Kincaid over the middle for an easy 16-yard score.

James Cook set up the score with an excellent showing. The star running back ripped through the Lions for 62 yards on three carries, setting up the Bills in the red zone. The Lions looked helpless to stop his unique combination of shiftiness and speed, which doesn't bode well for Detroit as Dan Campbell's squad trails big.

The lone silver lining for the Lions? Tyler Bass missed the extra point, so Buffalo leads by only 20 with 2:52 remaining in the first half.

Bills 27, Lions 7

9:18 pm ET

Bills vs Lions score update: Jared Goff hits Jahmyr Gibbs for Lions' first TD

Jacob Camenker

Gibbs remains the Lions' biggest offensive threat. He made a couple of excellent catches on the Lions' first touchdown drive of the game, including an 11-yard touchdown grab during which he held onto the ball while taking a shot in the back from a Bills defender.

Goff appeared to be in a better rhythm during the Lions' third drive, as his protection held up a bit better. He also completed his first pass to Amon-Ra St. Brown after the star wideout went without a target across the team's first two-and-a-half drives.

Jake Bates didn't make great contact on the extra point, but he still coaxed it through the uprights. The Lions are now trailing by 14 and will look to stop the Bills for the first time with 5:03 remaining in the first half.

Bills 21, Lions 7

9:09 pm ET

Avonte Maddox injury update

Jacob Camenker

The Lions are already down their top two safeties, Brian Branch and Kirby Joseph, and they may have lost another one against the Bills.

Maddox was hurt on the Bills' third drive, just before the team got into the end zone. The veteran was able to walk off the field but was later shown on the broadcast being carted into the locker room with his cleat off.

The Lions announced that Maddox is questionable to return with a foot injury.

9:06 pm ET

Bills vs Lions score update: Josh Allen logs third touchdown of first half on TD to Dawson Knox

Jacob Camenker

For a moment, it looked like the Lions had forced Josh Allen into an interception, as a ball pin-balled into the hands of Skyler Gill-Howard after Allen threw it back over the middle of the field.

However, the Lions were whistled for defensive holding on the play, which allowed the Bills to stay on the field. Shortly thereafter, Allen found Dawson Knox open after a play-action pass and hit him to give Buffalo a three-score lead.

Tyler Bass kept the extra point just inside the left upright, and the Bills are blowing out the Lions early in their "Thursday Night Football" clash.

Bills 21, Lions 0

8:54 pm ET

End of first quarter score: Bills crushing Lions 14-0

Jacob Camenker

The first official "Thursday Night Football" game of the season has been all Buffalo through the first 15 minutes. The Bills scored on each of their first two offensive drives and ended the first quarter on the edge of field-goal range.

Josh Allen has been a dynamic, dual-threat playmaker against a banged-up Lions defense and has helped the Bills outgain their opponent 168-10 early. Meanwhile, Detroit hasn't been able to protect Jared Goff at all behind an undermanned offensive line, as Greg Rousseau has been wreaking havoc.

The Lions will need to come up with a stop, or at least sustain a drive, quickly in the second quarter. Otherwise, Thursday's game could turn into a laugher.

8:50 pm ET

Lions drive undone by sack, bad snap

Jacob Camenker

The Lions' offensive line woes are showing up big on their first two drives. A couple of nice Jahmyr Gibbs runs had Detroit on the cusp of field goal range, but the Lions only went backward from there.

Gregory Rousseau got around tight end Brock Wright in a one-on-one rep on second-and-1 to create a third-and-11. On that play, backup center Juice Scruggs sailed a snap that Jared Goff got a hand on but had to simply fall on to prevent a turnover.

The Lions had to punt, and a nice return by Greg Dortch has the Bills set up close to midfield.

8:43 pm ET

Bills vs Lions score update: Josh Allen tosses 43-yard touchdown to Josh Palmer

Jacob Camenker

The Lions forced the Bills into a third-and-11, but Detroit made a critical error on the play. Safety Avonte Maddox let Palmer get behind the defense after biting on an underneath route from Khalil Shakir, and Allen saw it immediately. The veteran quarterback lofted a downfield strike to Palmer, who caught it with ease and waltzed into the end zone, untouched.

Tyler Bass made the extra point and the Bills have a two-touchdown lead.

Bills 14, Lions 0

8:34 pm ET

Bills defense forces three-and-out as Lions offensive line struggles

Jacob Camenker

The Lions entered Thursday's game dealing with a few notable injuries along their offensive line, with first-round rookie Blake Miller and starting left guard Christian Mahogany out of the lineup. Detroit struggled to block on its opening drive, and Goff took a sack on third down under pressure.

The Bills will get the ball back with a chance to build upon their lead. Meanwhile, the Lions will need to find a way to better support their blockers and give Goff a shot at making some down-the-field plays.

8:28 pm ET

Bills vs Lions score update: Josh Allen scores on QB sneak to give Bills lead

Jacob Camenker

Allen showed off his dual-threat capabilities on his first drive at the new Highmark Stadium. He helped the Bills march 85 yards over 10 plays before pushing a 1-yard sneak across the goal line on first and goal.

The Lions were having a great deal of difficulty containing Allen on the run during their first drive, allowing him to log 40 yards and a touchdown on four carries. They may need to commit a dedicated spy to the star quarterback.

Tyler Bass made the extra point, and the Bills have an early touchdown lead.

Bills 7, Lions 0

8:19 pm ET

Buffalo Bills new stadium capacity

Tom Viera

New Highmark Stadium is the smallest stadium in the NFL in 2026, with an official seating capacity of 60,108. It can hold up to 66,000 with standing-room-only seating, according to a report from Sports Business Journal.

8:17 pm ET

Why is the Canadian Anthem - 'O, Canada' performed at Bills games?

Jacob Camenker

The Bills typically perform "O, Canada", the Canadian national anthem, at their games because of their close proximity to the border.

Buffalo has tried to tap into its Canadian fan base before, as the Bills played six regular-season games in Toronto from 2008 to 2013. Buffalo is located less than 100 miles from Toronto.

7:30 pm ET

Who are the Thursday Night Football announcers for Amazon Prime Video?

Tom Viera

Al Michaels (play-by-play) and Kirk Herbstreit (analyst) will be in the broadcast booth for Prime Video, with Kaylee Hartung (sideline) and Terry McAulay (rules analyst) providing additional coverage.

The Prime Video pregame, halftime and postgame shows feature Charissa Thompson as host, as well as former NFL players Ryan Fitzpatrick, Tony Gonzalez, Richard Sherman and Andrew Whitworth as analysts.

Taylor Rooks is the feature reporter for Prime Video's "Thursday Night Football" coverage. James Palmer provides reports and analysis.

7:10 pm ET

What time does the NFL game start? Bills vs Lions kickoff time

Tom Viera

8:15 p.m. ET

"Thursday Night Football" between the Bills and Lions will start at 8:15 p.m. ET on Thursday, Sept. 17.

7:10 pm ET

Bills vs Lions prediction, pick against the spread

Tom Viera

The Bills should win and cover the 4.5-point spread in their home opener against the Lions on Thursday night. Detroit is coming off an overtime victory over New Orleans, where it nearly blew a 21-point lead and allowed the Saints to storm back. Now, the Lions face a brutal turnaround on a short week against Josh Allen and an explosive Buffalo offense. Allen has plenty of weapons including Dalton Kincaid, DJ Moore and James Cook to attack a Detroit defense that showed vulnerabilities. Kincaid erupted for 130 yards, while Moore topped 100 yards in his Bills debut. With Buffalo at home, expect Allen and company to pull away late.

Score prediction: Bills 36, Lions 30

7:00 pm ET

Bills vs Lions TV channel

Tom Viera

Only fans in the local markets of the Bills and Lions can watch the "Thursday Night Football" game on cable television. Here's where those fans can tune in on Sept. 17:

TV channel (local only):

Buffalo:WKBW (ABC)

Detroit: WJBK (Fox)

Fans outside of the local markets will only be able to watch the Bills vs. Lions contest on Amazon Prime Video. The streamer remains the exclusive home of "Thursday Night Football."

6:58 pm ET

Bills' Ed Oliver ruled out after injury in warm-ups

Jacob Camenker

The "Thursday Night Football" game between the Buffalo Bills and Detroit Lions hasn't started yet, but the Bills are already down one of their key defensive players.

Oliver, a starting defensive tackle for the Bills, suffered a hip injury in warm-ups. The team announced he will miss the game as a result.

It wasn't immediately clear how Oliver suffered the injury. DeWayne Carter figures to handle a larger role with Oliver and second-year defensive tackle T.J. Sanders both out of the lineup.

6:56 pm ET

Lions inactives tonight vs Bills

Tom Viera

Detroit has two starting offensive linemen among their inactives tonight when they face Buffalo on a short week. Here's a full list on the Lions inactives:

T Blake Miller

G Christian Mahogany

CB Keith Abney II

CB Ennis Rakestraw Jr.

LB Jimmy Rolder

DL Mekhi Wingo

Edge Ahmed Hassanein

6:52 pm ET

Bills inactives tonight vs. Lions

Tom Viera

Bills starting DT Ed Oliver is a surprise inactive after reportedly injuring his hip in pregame warmups. Here are the rest of the inactives for Buffalo tonight:

RB Ty Johnson

WR Skyler Bell

T Jude Bowry

G Ar'maj Reed-Adams

DL Ed Oliver (injured during warmups)

DL T.J. Sanders

S Jalon Kilgore

6:00 pm ET

Super Bowl 61 odds entering Week 2

Tom Viera

The Rams remain the favorites to win Super Bowl 61 despite losing their Week 1 game against the 49ers. The Bills are currently listed third while the Lions fall just inside the top 10. Below is a look at the full list of odds to take home the Lombardi Trophy in 2026, per DraftKings.

Los Angeles Rams (+650)

Baltimore Ravens (+900)

Buffalo Bills (+950)

Seattle Seahawks (+1100)

San Francisco 49ers (+1400)

Kansas City Chiefs (+1400)

Philadelphia Eagles (+1700)

Detroit Lions (+1800)

Cincinnati Bengals (+1900)

Houston Texans (+1900)

Denver Broncos (+2000)

Los Angeles Chargers (+2000)

Green Bay Packers (+2000)

New England Patriots (+2100)

Chicago Bears (+2100)

Dallas Cowboys (+2500)

Jacksonville Jaguars (+2500)

Minnesota Vikings (+4000)

Pittsburgh Steelers (+5000)

New York Giants (+5000)

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (+5500)

Washington Commanders (+6500)

Indianapolis Colts (+6500)

Carolina Panthers (+9000)

New Orleans Saints (+9000)

Atlanta Falcons (+13000)

Las Vegas Raiders (+15000)

Tennessee Titans (+20000)

New York Jets (+25000)

Cleveland Browns (+30000)

Arizona Cardinals (+30000)

Miami Dolphins (+50000)

5:30 pm ET

Thursday Night Football prediction by A.I.

Jacob Camenker

Buffalo Bills 31, Detroit Lions 27

AI's take: Copilot opined that this "Thursday Night Football" opener is a "near toss-up" but it believes Buffalo will come out with a win in a "spotlight game in its new stadium." It expressed confidence Josh Allen would play well but also referred to Detroit as "talented."

Our take: This is fair analysis from Copilot. The Bills should be favored at home in what figures to be a high-scoring game between two teams with leaky defenses. Allen's dual-threat ability should help the Bills beat a Lions team that may be tired after a short week following an overtime win over the Saints in Week 1.

5:05 pm ET

Bills vs Lions live stream

Tom Viera

Live stream (national): Prime Video

Fans looking to stream the Bills and Lions game can catch the action on Prime Video, the exclusive home of "Thursday Night Football."

Watch "Thursday Night Football" all season with Prime

4:45 pm ET

4th & Monday: Our NFL newsletter always brings the blitz 📰

Tom Viera

Do you like football? Then you'll enjoy getting our NFL newsletter delivered to your inbox. 📲

Get the latest news, expert analysis, game insights and the must-see moments from the NFL conveniently delivered to your email inbox. Sign up now!

4:30 pm ET

Bills vs Lions odds, moneyline, over/under

Tom Viera

The Bills are favored to defeat the Lions, according to the current NFL odds at DraftKings.

Spread: Bills (-4.5)

Moneyline: Bills (-230); Lions (+195)

Over/under: 54.5

Not interested in this game? Our guide to NFL betting odds, picks and spreads has you covered.

New to sports betting? USA TODAY readers can claimexclusive promos and bonus codes with thebest online sportsbooks and sports betting sites.

4:10 pm ET

Thursday Night Football start time

Tom Viera

Date: Thursday, September 17, 2026

Time: 8:15 p.m. ET

The Bills and Lions game will kick off Week 2 of the 2026 NFL season with "Thursday Night Football" at 8:15 p.m. ET.

Our editors independently choose our recommendations. Some content is produced with paid support from a third party, however our editorial decisions remain independent. If you buy through our links, the USA TODAY Network may earn a commission. Prices and availability may change.

Click here to read article