Buffalo Bills at Detroit Lions Recap

The Buffalo Bills and Detroit Lions faced off in the last preseason game before the final cuts last Thursday and needless to say I was off on the 24-14 prediction.

The Buffalo Bills first team offense in their only series looked very impressive in both the run game and the passing attack. Running back C.J. Spiller started the game and he looked crisp hitting holes gaining 29 yards on 6 carries. Quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick was a perfect 5/5 for  39 yards and a touchdown pass to Stevie Johnson on a very nice fade pass into the end zone to go up 7-0.

Detroit returned the favor my marching down the field with Mikel Leshoure pounding the rock and Matt Stafford going by air. Stafford was 2/3 with 57 yards and a touchdown pass that was a strike to Calvin Johnson from 24 yards out.

Then the heat was put on as Detroit’s second team defense just put constant pressure on Tyler Thigpen and forced two turnovers that resulted in 14 additional points including a interception return for a touchdown in the first quarter. The other drive Detroit had optimal field position to start at the Buffalo Bills 40 yard line. So at the end of the first quarter the score was Detroit Lions 28,  the Buffalo Bills 7.

Eventually, the Buffalo Bills scratched their way back into the game, by scoring a rushing touchdown by Johnny White, and also a four yard touchdown pass from Tyler Thigpen to Dorin Dickerson.

The highlight of the game came in the fourth quarter, after Detroit marched down the field and settled for a Field Goal by Jason Hanson to go up 31-24 and kicked off, Buffalo Bills wide receiver Marcus Easley returned the kickoff 100 yards for a touchdown! And since it was preseason, they decided to go for a two-point conversion, and it was successful as Tyler Thigpen passed it to Marcus Easley to give the Buffalo Bills a 32-31 lead.

However, that lead would be short lived, and Detroit marched right down the field and scored the game winning touchdown to win the game 38-32.

All and all, the Buffalo Bills and Detroit Lions have a great game to hang their hats on as they go into the regular season, despite the Buffalo Bills went winless in preseason, they also did that all four years of their Superbowl run.