Lions Hunt History: Detroit Aims to End 18-Year Drought Against Bills in High-Stakes Clash

The Detroit Lions haven’t beaten the Buffalo Bills since 2006, but they’ll have a golden opportunity to change that on Sunday at Ford Field. Riding an incredible 11-game winning streak, the Lions sit atop the NFC with a 12-1 record. Meanwhile, the Bills are coming off a tough loss to the Rams, which snapped their own seven-game winning streak.

Lions head coach Dan Campbell didn’t hold back in praising Bills MVP candidate Josh Allen, recognizing the immense challenge his team faces. “He’s big, he’s strong, he’s fast, he’s pretty explosive, and he’s competitive,” Campbell said during Wednesday’s press conference, as reported by Lions insider Nolan Bianchi. Campbell went on to emphasize Allen’s intangibles, calling him “the ultimate competitor” and “fearless,” traits that inspire his teammates to rally around him.

Allen’s versatility has been a critical factor for Buffalo this season. While the Bills rank 11th in passing offense, Allen is second on the team in rushing, accumulating 416 yards and 11 touchdowns on the ground. His dual-threat ability presents a unique challenge for a Lions defense battling injuries throughout the season.

Detroit’s defense, however, might receive a boost this weekend. Reports suggest that key players, including Alim McNeill, Josh Paschal, Levi Onwuzurike, and DJ Reader, are close to returning. Linebackers coach Kelvin Sheppard acknowledged the difficulties of working around injuries but remained focused. “I’m not some rocket scientist or something; I’m a football coach,” Sheppard remarked, underscoring the complexities of preparing for a player as dynamic as Allen.