Detroit Lions vs Buffalo Bills Picks and Prediction for Thursday September 17 2026

By: Eddie Kline Published 09/14/2026, 09:07 PM ET

Lions Preview

The week two NFL schedule will kick off on Thursday night, when the Detroit Lions travel to brand new Highmark Stadium to take on the Buffalo Bills. Get ready for all the football action with our NFL Picks. The Lions (9-8) were a historically good offense two seasons ago, but saw their points per game drop five points to 28.3 last year. Head coach Dan Campbell is in his sixth year and is focused on leading the franchise to their first Super Bowl title. On Sunday, Detroit needed overtime to escape with a 31-30 home victory versus New Orleans.

Detroit scored on their only possession in overtime when Jared Goff connected with Amon-Ra St. Brown on a four-yard pass. The Lions stopped the Saints on a two-point conversion attempt with 94 seconds remaining in the extra period. All-Pro RB Jahmyr Gibbs carried 29 times for 156 yards and two touchdowns.

Bills Preview

The Buffalo Bills have won at least ten games in seven consecutive seasons and are in search of their first Super Bowl title in franchise history. Last year, the Bills finished fourth in the NFL in total offense and averaged 28.3 points per game. In the season opener, Josh Allen threw a 34-yard touchdown pass to Joshua Palmer in the final two minutes to lift Buffalo to a 36-31 road victory against Houston.

Allen shredded the vaunted Houston defense with 334 passing yards and also ran for a pair of scores. WR D.J. Moore had an impressive Buffalo debut with five catches for 100 yards and a touchdown. TE Daulton Kincaid added a career-high 130 receiving yards for the Bills, who won the turnover battle by a 2-0 margin.

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Lions vs Bills Pick

Detroit RB Isiah Pacheco is currently on injured reserve with a back issue and does not have a clear timetable to return. The Lions have some injury concerns in the secondary and that is a big problem against arguably the best quarterback in the league. Take Buffalo to break in their new stadium with a win and cover. Final Score Prediction, Buffalo Bills win 33-21.

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