Lions vs Bills predictions, graded
Detroit Lions at Buffalo Bills · Week 2, 2026 · Thu, Sep 17 · Final: Lions 31, Bills 41 · Updated
Who do pundits pick in Lions vs Bills? Of 13 pundits with a call on record, 10 take the Bills and 3 take the Lions. 7 named a score; the median has the Bills by 6. The Bills won 41-31, so 10 of 13 had the winner. Their graded calls averaged 77 out of 100.
Who the room took
13 pundits · each counted once, by their latest callLions vs Bills picks by outlet
Each pundit counted once, at the outlet or show their latest call ran on. An outlet is listed when two or more of its pundits have picked.
- CBS Sportsall 5 Bills
- The Richard Sherman Podcast (podcast)Bills 1, Lions 1
The other 6 pundits write or talk elsewhere: Bills 4, Lions 2.
Lions vs Bills score predictions
7 pundits named a score; the median call is Bills by 6, and the final was Bills by 10.
Each dot is one pundit’s latest score call, placed at the winning margin it named. The solid bar is how the game actually finished. Hover or tap a dot for the pundit and the score.
- Jared DubinBills 35, Lions 32Hit · 83
- Pete PriscoBills 36, Lions 30Hit · 90
- John BreechBills 38, Lions 31Hit · 93
- Tyler SullivanBills 31, Lions 27Hit · 86
- Jordan DajaniBills 36, Lions 30Hit · 90
- Jared DubinBills 35, Lions 31Hit · 86
- Tony FuscoLions 87, Bills 12Miss · 0
- Walter CherepinskyBills 31, Lions 24Hit · 93
Lions at Bills: how they came in
The Lions are 1-0; the Bills are 1-0. On win totals, 13 pundits put the Lions at 10.4 wins on average, and 13 pundits put the Bills at 11.4 wins on average.
Highmark Stadium, Orchard Park, NY
- Record coming in
- 1-0 · 31 scored, 30 allowed
- Last games
- W 31-30 vs Saints Week 1
- Unit ranks
- offense 5th, defense 11th of 32 (this season)
- Last season
- 9-8
- Win-total calls
- 13 pundits · average 10.4 · 3 to 12 wins
- The room's picks
- the side most pundits took won 1 of 1 Lions game
- Record coming in
- 1-0 · 36 scored, 31 allowed
- Last games
- W 36-31 at Texans Week 1
- Unit ranks
- offense 1st, defense 12th of 32 (this season)
- Last season
- 12-5
- Win-total calls
- 13 pundits · average 11.4 · 10 to 14 wins
- The room's picks
- the side most pundits took won 0 of 1 Bills game
Lions and Bills players to watch
Each club’s starting quarterback, leading rusher, receiver and tight end, and its sack and tackle leaders, with their 2026 regular season so far, with the latest call on each from a pundit on our leaderboard whose record beats the naive pick (69 pundits clear that bar), made since the 2026 schedule came out. “No.” is their rank there.
Lions
- Jared GoffStarting QB · QB
2,134 passing yards · 15 TD, 2 INT · 67.8% completions · 8 games · 9th in the NFL in passing yards
Jared Goff to stay with Detroit Lions
“QB Jared Goff, Lions ... the dozen players that most likely won't be traded” the article →
Jared Goff to outplay his draft cost (An 11th round pick in real time ADP)
“It's Jared Goff... So I love Goff. And, you know, you bypass a quarterback... to load up on other positions in the early rounds and then just take a steady quarterback.” the article →
- Jahmyr GibbsRB1 · RB
847 rushing yards on 177 carries · 11 TD · 34 catches for 285 · 8 games · 3rd in the NFL in rushing yards
Jahmyr Gibbs to finish top 1 at his position, by fantasy points
“He was my RB1. I've moved Gibbs to the top spot now.” the article →
Jahmyr Gibbs to win Offensive Player of the Year
“Offensive Player of the Year — Mike Kadlick: Jahmyr Gibbs, RB, Lions” the article →
- Amon-Ra St. BrownWR1 · WR
61 catches for 657 yards · 5 TD · 8 games · 11th in the NFL in receiving yards
Amon-Ra St. Brown to be 1st on the depth chart
“As the Lions' No.1 offensive weapon, he forces defensive playcallers to make tough decisions” the article →
Amon-Ra St. Brown to be 1st on the depth chart
“Amon-Ra St. Brown remains Detroit's clear-cut No. 1 WR.” the article →
- Sam LaPortaTE1 · TE
35 catches for 399 yards · 3 TD · 8 games · 36th in the NFL in receiving yards
Sam LaPorta to sign a new deal
“As he alluded to, LaPorta will likely have a big payday this offseason, whether it's with the Lions or someone else. ... As long as LaPorta continues to produce, he will surely have a robust market if he becomes a free agent this offseason.” the article →
Sam LaPorta to move to Detroit Lions
“If a tight end is to finally break that $20 million threshold, it could be either Bowers or Detroit Lions weapon Sam LaPorta, who are next in line to receive life-changing money.” the article →
- Alim McNeillSack leader · DT
5.5 sacks · 8 solo tackles · 8 games · 12th in the NFL in sacks
- Jack CampbellTackle leader · LB
30 solo tackles · 7 games · 48th in the NFL in solo tackles
Bills
- Josh AllenStarting QB · QB
2,027 passing yards · 12 TD, 6 INT · 66.1% completions · 285 rushing yards · 8 games · 12th in the NFL in passing yards
Josh Allen to finish top 1 at his position, by passing yards
“Josh Allen, best quarterback in the league, continuity with the coaching, an upgrade in DJ Moore” the article →
Josh Allen to win MVP
“If the MVP vote happened today, Allen would be the winner .” the article →
- James CookRB1 · RB
814 rushing yards on 169 carries · 8 TD · 12 catches for 110 · 8 games · 5th in the NFL in rushing yards
James Cook to make the roster
“the three running backs you would expect, James Cook, Ray Davis, and Ty Johnson” the article →
James Cook to finish top 3 at his position, by fantasy points
“James Cook, I'm all in. I think we see he sets a career high in receptions, the top three running back season.” the article →
- Khalil ShakirWR1 · WR
31 catches for 412 yards · 1 TD · 8 games · 35th in the NFL in receiving yards
Khalil Shakir to make the roster
“DJ Moore, Khalil Shakir, Keon Coleman, Joshua Palmer, Skyler Bell, Trent Sherfield, the six that I have making it.” the article →
Khalil Shakir to be 2nd on the depth chart
“Even if Moore is out this week, Shakir is probably no better than the No. 2 target in the Buffalo passing attack behind surging tight end Dalton Kincaid.” the article →
- Dalton KincaidTE1 · TE
30 catches for 429 yards · 2 TD · 8 games · 32nd in the NFL in receiving yards
Dalton Kincaid to make the roster
“At tight end, I have the Bills keeping three, Jackson Hawes, Dalton Kinkade, Dawson Knox” the article →
Dalton Kincaid to fall short of his draft cost (TE11, Overall RK114 | ECR vs. ADP: -14)
“if he plays limited snaps again this season and his efficiency numbers regress to career norms, Kincaid could disappoint. It's best to regard him as a high-end TE2 for fantasy drafts.” the article →
- Greg RousseauSack leader · LB
8 sacks · 17 solo tackles · 8 games · 2nd in the NFL in sacks
Greg Rousseau to make the roster
“I have the Bills keeping five. Bradley Chubb, Greg Russo, TJ Parker, Michael Hoyt, and Javon Solomon.” the article →
- Amani HookerTackle leader · S
32 solo tackles · 5 interceptions · 7 games · 34th in the NFL in solo tackles
Amani Hooker to move — “could be moved if they found a good offer”
“I'm not sure the Titans are actively shopping Hooker, but he could be moved if they found a good offer.” the article →
Every call on Lions at Bills
1–23 of 23
Blake Miller to be 1st on the depth chart
will roll with Miller once again after he returned following being out for their Week 2 game
Buffalo Bills to beat Lions
So I think the Bills, the Bills should be able to put up a bunch of points and they should be able to get enough stops as good as Gibbs in the Lions receiving core is enough stops to win this game relatively comfortably.
Buffalo Bills to beat Lions
I think the Bills in their new stadium do it tonight and win by a touchdown.
Buffalo Bills 38 — Lions 31
John Breech's pick: Bills 38-31 over Lions
Buffalo Bills 35 — Lions 32
Jared Dubin's pick: Bills 35-32 over Lions
Buffalo Bills 31 — Lions 27
Tyler Sullivan's pick: Bills 31-27 over Lions
Buffalo Bills 36 — Lions 30
Jordan Dajani's pick: Bills 36-30 over Lions
Buffalo Bills 36 — Lions 30
Prisco's pick: Bills 36-30 over Lions
Buffalo Bills 35 — Lions 31
I lean toward the Bills for the win in the debut of their new stadium... Pick: Bills 35, Lions 31
Buffalo Bills 35 — Lions 31
Prediction: Bills 35, Lions 31
Buffalo Bills 36 — Lions 30
Prediction: Bills 36, Lions 30
Detroit Lions to beat Buffalo Bills
Detroit Lions (+4.5) at Buffalo Bills ... identified five favorites that could be on upset alert. ... If he can get rolling and help Detroit win the time-of-possession battle, it could go a long way toward helping the defense limit Josh Allen's impact.
Detroit Lions 87 — Bills 12
I like the Lions to go big here. Lions 87, Bills 12.
Buffalo Bills to beat Detroit Lions
I got the Buffalo Bills in this one. I'm sorry, Detroit.
Detroit Lions to beat Buffalo Bills
I like the Lions to cover. I like the Lions to win.
Buffalo Bills to beat Lions
Do I think the bills win this game, or do they fall to one and one? No. I think the Bills win it. I do. ... Bills get to two and o.
Buffalo Bills 38 — Lions 31
THE PICK: Bills 38-31 over Lions
Buffalo Bills to beat Lions
Week 2 NFL Pick: Bills 31, Lions 24
Buffalo Bills 31 — Lions 24
Week 2 NFL Pick: Bills 31, Lions 24
Buffalo Bills to beat Detroit Lions
Your Detroit Lions, again, that's a tough game to go to Buffalo in their new stadium and get that win. I think Buffalo finds a way in that game.
Detroit Lions to beat Bills
A lot of this is based on, hey, I think Dan Campbell will have the Lions ready to play... I believe in the Lions.
Buffalo Bills to beat Detroit Lions
I have a hard time believing Buffalo is going to lose the first game in their brand new stadium ... So I think that's the one they're going to have a hard time winning. I got them 3-1.
Buffalo Bills to beat Lions
Lions (at Bills). ... it's almost impossible to see the Bills losing the first game at their new stadium.