In a nutshell:
The Bills first-team offense got an extended look on Friday. The starters played six drives, totaling the entire first half in Buffalo's 24-20 victory in Detroit.
Buffalo's offense struggled early as their first three drives ended in two punts and a turnover. On the fourth drive, Buffalo would finally put points on the board with an Isaiah McKenzie touchdown run. Two drives later, the Bills offense perfectly executed a two-minute drill that would give Devin Singletary his first career touchdown. Buffalo went into halftime up 14-13.
Buffalo's defense got its first taste of action against a starting quarterback. Matt Stafford went 12 of 19 for 137 yards and a touchdown against the group.
Buffalo's injury list grew. Starting left guard Quinton Spain left the game with an ankle injury and cornerback Tre'Davious White was ruled out with a thigh contusion.
After relying heavily on the pass with the first team offense, offensive coordinator Brian Daboll concentrated on the run tonight. Allen only attempted six passes. LeSean McCoy and Frank Gore each produced 20-plus yard runs to spark the rushing game..
How it went down:
- A Cole Beasley fumble gave the Lions good field position at the Buffalo 27. The Bills defense held strong in the red zone and only gave up a 23-yard field goal by Matt Prater. (0-3)
- Buffalo needed five plays to go 81 yards to score its first points of the game. The drive was sprung by a 27-yard run by Frank Gore and two penalties that gave Buffalo the ball at Detroit's seven-yard line. Isaiah McKenzie took a jet sweep six yards for a touchdown. (7-3)
- Matt Stafford and TJ Hockenson connected on a pair of passes for 47 total yards. Buffalo forced Detroit into a 4th and 3 from their own 11 and the Lions opted to go for it, leading to an 11-yard touchdown pass from Stafford. (7-10)
- The Bills first-team offense was clicking. Starting on their own 5-yard line, Buffalo executed a two-minute drill to score their second touchdown of the game. Drive was highlighted by two straight completions to John Brown for 18 and 17 yards, respectively. Plus, McCoy had an 18-yard run and a horse collar penalty put Buffalo on Detroit's nine. Devin Singletary took his first handoff of the game for the score. (14-10)
- Prater made a 61-yard field goal to end the half. (14-13)
- The Bills second-team offense was moving the ball well until a sack and fumble by Matt Barkley forced Buffalo into a 3rd-and-32. The Bills gained 15 yards back on a completion to Keith Towbridge. Hauschka made a 43-yard field goal. (17-13)
- Duke Williams caught his second touchdown in as many games on a 16-yard pass from Barkley. The Bills needed nine plays to go 75 yards on the drive, including a 29-yard completion to Zay Jones. (24-13)
- A defensive pass interference call on Denzel Rice allowed Detroit to convert a 3rd-and-eight. The Lions drive continued all the way down to the one-yard line where Mark Thompson rushed up the middle for the score. (24-20)
Subplots:
Bills first-team offensive line was Dion Dawkins (left tackle), Quinton Spain (left guard), Jon Feliciano (center), Spencer Long (right guard), Cody Ford (right tackle)
Shaq Lawson started in place of Jerry Hughes. Lawson recorded a sack and tackle for loss.
Spain was carted to the locker room with an ankle injury.
Devin Singletary's first rush of the game was a touchdown. Buffalo alternated LeSean McCoy and Frank Gore heavily throughout the first half. Singletary's rush came with 1:09 left in the second quarter.
Josh Allen and the starters played the entire first half, totaling six drives.
Matt Barkley continued his preseason excellence. He went 12 of 14 passing for 142 yards and a touchdown.
Rookie Jaquan Johnson stripped and recovered his own forced fumble to stop a driving Lions offense with under three minutes remaining in the fourth quarter.
Notable players who did not play included OT De'Ondre Wesley, C Mitch Morse, OT Ty Nsekhe, OT Connor McDermott, TE Tyler Kroft, RB Senorise Perry, DE Jerry Hughes, CB Cam Lewis, P Cory Carter
Up next: The Bills come home to take on the Minnesota Vikings. The game is scheduled to kick off Thursday at 7 pm.
Scroll through to see photos from all the action during Buffalo's preseason Week 3 game against the Detroit Lions on the road.
Micah Hyde. Buffalo Bills vs Detroit Lions at Ford Field, August 23, 2019. Photo by Bill Wippert
Mike Love, Kyle Peko, Shaq Lawson, L.T. Walton. Buffalo Bills vs Detroit Lions at Ford Field, August 23, 2019. Photo by Bill Wippert
Sean McDermott. Buffalo Bills vs Detroit Lions at Ford Field, August 23, 2019. Photo by Bill Wippert
Tre'Davious White, Josh Allen. Buffalo Bills vs Detroit Lions at Ford Field, August 23, 2019. Photo by Bill Wippert
Matt Milano. Buffalo Bills vs Detroit Lions at Ford Field, August 23, 2019. Photo by Bill Wippert
Ray-Ray McCloud III. Buffalo Bills vs Detroit Lions at Ford Field, August 23, 2019. Photo by Bill Wippert
Jordan Phillips. Buffalo Bills vs Detroit Lions at Ford Field, August 23, 2019. Photo by Bill Wippert
David Sills, LeSean McCoy, Zay Jones. Buffalo Bills vs Detroit Lions at Ford Field, August 23, 2019. Photo by Bill Wippert
Cody Ford. Buffalo Bills vs Detroit Lions at Ford Field, August 23, 2019. Photo by Bill Wippert
Buffalo Bills wide receiver Andre Roberts (8) Buffalo Bills vs Detroit Lions at Ford Field, August 23, 2019. Photo by Jeffrey T. Barnes
Buffalo Bills offensive tackle Dion Dawkins (73) Buffalo Bills vs Detroit Lions at Ford Field, August 23, 2019. Photo by Jeffrey T. Barnes
Buffalo Bills outside linebacker Lorenzo Alexander (57) Buffalo Bills vs Detroit Lions at Ford Field, August 23, 2019. Photo by Bill Wippert
Buffalo Bills defensive tackle Ed Oliver (91) Buffalo Bills vs Detroit Lions at Ford Field, August 23, 2019. Photo by Bill Wippert
Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) Buffalo Bills vs Detroit Lions at Ford Field, August 23, 2019. Photo by Bill Wippert
Buffalo Bills outside linebacker Lorenzo Alexander (57) Buffalo Bills vs Detroit Lions at Ford Field, August 23, 2019. Photo by Bill Wippert
Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) Buffalo Bills vs Detroit Lions at Ford Field, August 23, 2019. Photo by Bill Wippert
Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) Buffalo Bills vs Detroit Lions at Ford Field, August 23, 2019. Photo by Jeffrey T. Barnes
Buffalo Bills vs Detroit Lions at Ford Field, August 23, 2019. Photo by Bill Wippert
Buffalo Bills running back LeSean McCoy (25) Buffalo Bills vs Detroit Lions at Ford Field, August 23, 2019. Photo by Jeffrey T. Barnes
Buffalo Bills defensive end Shaq Lawson (90) Buffalo Bills vs Detroit Lions at Ford Field, August 23, 2019. Photo by Bill Wippert
Buffalo Bills wide receiver Zay Jones (11) Buffalo Bills vs Detroit Lions at Ford Field, August 23, 2019. Photo by Jeffrey T. Barnes
Buffalo Bills middle linebacker Tremaine Edmunds (49) Buffalo Bills vs Detroit Lions at Ford Field, August 23, 2019. Photo by Jeffrey T. Barnes
Buffalo Bills cornerback Tre'Davious White (27) Buffalo Bills vs Detroit Lions at Ford Field, August 23, 2019. Photo by Jeffrey T. Barnes
Buffalo Bills offensive tackle Dion Dawkins (73) Buffalo Bills vs Detroit Lions at Ford Field, August 23, 2019. Photo by Jeffrey T. Barnes
Buffalo Bills defensive back Levi Wallace (39) Buffalo Bills vs Detroit Lions at Ford Field, August 23, 2019. Photo by Jeffrey T. Barnes
Buffalo Bills wide receiver Isaiah McKenzie (19) touchdown Buffalo Bills vs Detroit Lions at Ford Field, August 23, 2019. Photo by Jeffrey T. Barnes
Buffalo Bills wide receiver Isaiah McKenzie (19) touchdown Buffalo Bills vs Detroit Lions at Ford Field, August 23, 2019. Photo by Jeffrey T. Barnes
Buffalo Bills wide receiver Isaiah McKenzie (19) touchdown Buffalo Bills vs Detroit Lions at Ford Field, August 23, 2019. Photo by Bill Wippert
Buffalo Bills wide receiver Isaiah McKenzie (19) touchdown Buffalo Bills vs Detroit Lions at Ford Field, August 23, 2019. Photo by Jeffrey T. Barnes
Buffalo Bills strong safety Micah Hyde (23) Buffalo Bills vs Detroit Lions at Ford Field, August 23, 2019. Photo by Bill Wippert
Buffalo Bills running back LeSean McCoy (25) Buffalo Bills vs Detroit Lions at Ford Field, August 23, 2019. Photo by Bill Wippert
Buffalo Bills outside linebacker Lorenzo Alexander (57) Buffalo Bills vs Detroit Lions at Ford Field, August 23, 2019. Photo by Bill Wippert
Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) and offensive tackle Cody Ford (70) Buffalo Bills vs Detroit Lions at Ford Field, August 23, 2019. Photo by Bill Wippert
Buffalo Bills vs Detroit Lions at Ford Field, August 23, 2019. Photo by Bill Wippert
Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) and running back Frank Gore (20) Buffalo Bills vs Detroit Lions at Ford Field, August 23, 2019. Photo by Bill Wippert
Buffalo Bills running back LeSean McCoy (25) Buffalo Bills vs Detroit Lions at Ford Field, August 23, 2019. Photo by Bill Wippert
Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) Buffalo Bills vs Detroit Lions at Ford Field, August 23, 2019. Photo by Bill Wippert
Buffalo Bills kicker Stephen Hauschka (4) and punter Corey Bojorquez (9) Buffalo Bills vs Detroit Lions at Ford Field, August 23, 2019. Photo by Bill Wippert
Buffalo Bills outside linebacker Lorenzo Alexander (57) Buffalo Bills vs Detroit Lions at Ford Field, August 23, 2019. Photo by Bill Wippert
Buffalo Bills defensive tackle Ed Oliver (91) Buffalo Bills vs Detroit Lions at Ford Field, August 23, 2019. Photo by Bill Wippert
Buffalo Bills defensive end Shaq Lawson (90) Buffalo Bills vs Detroit Lions at Ford Field, August 23, 2019. Photo by Bill Wippert
Buffalo Bills running back LeSean McCoy (25) Buffalo Bills vs Detroit Lions at Ford Field, August 23, 2019. Photo by Bill Wippert
Buffalo Bills defensive tackle Ed Oliver (91) Buffalo Bills vs Detroit Lions at Ford Field, August 23, 2019. Photo by Bill Wippert
Buffalo Bills tight end Dawson Knox (88) Buffalo Bills vs Detroit Lions at Ford Field, August 23, 2019. Photo by Bill Wippert
Buffalo Bills running back Devin Singletary (40) touchdown Buffalo Bills vs Detroit Lions at Ford Field, August 23, 2019. Photo by Jeffrey T. Barnes
Buffalo Bills running back Devin Singletary (40) touchdown Buffalo Bills vs Detroit Lions at Ford Field, August 23, 2019. Photo by Jeffrey T. Barnes
Buffalo Bills running back Devin Singletary (40) touchdown Buffalo Bills vs Detroit Lions at Ford Field, August 23, 2019. Photo by Jeffrey T. Barnes
Buffalo Bills running back Devin Singletary (40) touchdown Buffalo Bills vs Detroit Lions at Ford Field, August 23, 2019. Photo by Jeffrey T. Barnes
Buffalo Bills running back Devin Singletary (40) touchdown Buffalo Bills vs Detroit Lions at Ford Field, August 23, 2019. Photo by Jeffrey T. Barnes
Buffalo Bills running back LeSean McCoy (25) Buffalo Bills vs Detroit Lions at Ford Field, August 23, 2019. Photo by Bill Wippert
Buffalo Bills running back LeSean McCoy (25) and running back Devin Singletary (40) Buffalo Bills vs Detroit Lions at Ford Field, August 23, 2019. Photo by Bill Wippert
Buffalo Bills defensive end Shaq Lawson (90) Buffalo Bills vs Detroit Lions at Ford Field, August 23, 2019. Photo by Bill Wippert
Buffalo Bills defensive end Shaq Lawson (90) Buffalo Bills vs Detroit Lions at Ford Field, August 23, 2019. Photo by Bill Wippert
Buffalo Bills defensive end Shaq Lawson (90) Buffalo Bills vs Detroit Lions at Ford Field, August 23, 2019. Photo by Bill Wippert
Buffalo Bills defensive tackle Ed Oliver (91) Buffalo Bills vs Detroit Lions at Ford Field, August 23, 2019. Photo by Bill Wippert
Buffalo Bills vs Detroit Lions at Ford Field, August 23, 2019. Photo by Bill Wippert
Buffalo Bills wide receiver Duke Williams (82) touchdown Buffalo Bills vs Detroit Lions at Ford Field, August 23, 2019. Photo by Bill Wippert
Buffalo Bills wide receiver Duke Williams (82) touchdown Buffalo Bills vs Detroit Lions at Ford Field, August 23, 2019. Photo by Bill Wippert
Buffalo Bills wide receiver Duke Williams (82) touchdown Buffalo Bills vs Detroit Lions at Ford Field, August 23, 2019. Photo by Bill Wippert
Buffalo Bills wide receiver Duke Williams (82) touchdown Buffalo Bills vs Detroit Lions at Ford Field, August 23, 2019. Photo by Bill Wippert
Buffalo Bills defensive end Darryl Johnson (92) Buffalo Bills vs Detroit Lions at Ford Field, August 23, 2019. Photo by Bill Wippert
Buffalo Bills vs Detroit Lions at Ford Field, August 23, 2019. Photo by Bill Wippert
Buffalo Bills running back T.J. Yeldon (29) Buffalo Bills vs Detroit Lions at Ford Field, August 23, 2019. Photo by Bill Wippert
Buffalo Bills wide receiver Zay Jones (11) Buffalo Bills vs Detroit Lions at Ford Field, August 23, 2019. Photo by Bill Wippert
Buffalo Bills wide receiver Zay Jones (11) Buffalo Bills vs Detroit Lions at Ford Field, August 23, 2019. Photo by Bill Wippert
Buffalo Bills wide receiver Zay Jones (11) Buffalo Bills vs Detroit Lions at Ford Field, August 23, 2019. Photo by Bill Wippert
Buffalo Bills wide receiver Zay Jones (11) Buffalo Bills vs Detroit Lions at Ford Field, August 23, 2019. Photo by Bill Wippert
Buffalo Bills quarterback Tyree Jackson (6) Buffalo Bills vs Detroit Lions at Ford Field, August 23, 2019. Photo by Bill Wippert
Buffalo Bills quarterback Matt Barkley (5) Buffalo Bills vs Detroit Lions at Ford Field, August 23, 2019. Photo by Bill Wippert
Buffalo Bills wide receiver Ray-Ray McCloud III (14) Buffalo Bills vs Detroit Lions at Ford Field, August 23, 2019. Photo by Bill Wippert
Head Coach Sean McDermott; Buffalo Bills vs Detroit Lions at Ford Field, August 23, 2019. Photo by Bill Wippert
Buffalo Bills kicker Stephen Hauschka (4) Buffalo Bills vs Detroit Lions at Ford Field, August 23, 2019. Photo by Bill Wippert
Buffalo Bills defensive tackle Ed Oliver (91) Buffalo Bills vs Detroit Lions at Ford Field, August 23, 2019. Photo by Bill Wippert
Buffalo Bills wide receiver Zay Jones (11) Buffalo Bills vs Detroit Lions at Ford Field, August 23, 2019. Photo by Bill Wippert
