Lions vs Bills Prediction 9/17/2026 Today’s NFL Picks

In this article we will formulate a Lions vs Bills prediction for this NFL game on Thursday, September 17th at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park, New York. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this week 2 matchup.

Detroit Lions Betting Preview

The Detroit Lions are 1-0 this season after they defeated New Orleans by a score of 31-30 in overtime. Detroit led 21-0 in the third quarter, but they were lucky to get to overtime, before stopping a two point conversion for the win. The Lions were out gained by a total of 469-369, went 5-13 on third downs, and won the turnover battle by a total of 3-1 in the game. Jared Goff threw for 206 yards and two touchdowns, while Amon-Ra St. Brown caught 10 passes for 67 yards and two scores. Jahmyr Gibbs rushed 29 times for 156 yards and two touchdowns in the win. 

The Lions went 9-8 last season and they finished tied for third in the NFC North standings, two games behind the Bears in first. The Lions started the season with a 27-13 loss at Green Bay, but they were 5-2 through seven games. Detroit had some injury issues and major defensive problems after that start though, as they went 4-6 in their last ten games. The Lions allowed 27+ points in five of their last seven games and the offense really took a step back. Detroit scored 28.3 points per game in 2025, while they allowed 24.3 points against per game on defense. 

Buffalo Bills Betting Preview

The Buffalo Bills are 1-0 this year after they defeated the Texans by a score of 36-31 in week one. Buffalo led 24-21 at halftime, but they needed a touchdown + a stop in the final two minutes to secure the win. The Bills out gained Houston by a total of 409-381, went 3-9 on third downs, and won the turnover battle by a total of 2-0 in the game. Josh Allen threw for 334 yards and two touchdowns, while Dalton Kincaid caught five passes for 130 yards. James Cook rushed 13 times for 57 yards in the win. 

The Bills were 12-5 last year and they finished second in the AFC East, which was two games behind the Patriots in first. Buffalo started the season with a 41-40 win against the Ravens and a 30-10 win over the Jets. The Bills were 7-4 through 11 games, but they went 5-1 in their last six. Buffalo had a great offense last year and they scored 35+ points in four of their last eight games. The Bills defeated the Jaguars by a score of 27-24 in the playoffs, but lost to the Broncos by a score of 33-30 in overtime. Buffalo scored 28.3 points per game in 2025, while they allowed 21.5 points against per game on defense. 

Why the Buffalo Bills will win

• The Bills have won 18 of their last 19 home games following a road win.
• The Lions have lost five of their last six games against AFC East opponents.
• The Bills have covered the spread in each of their last four Thursday games against teams that held a winning record.
• The Lions have failed to cover the spread in five of their last six Thursday games.
• The Lions have lost the first half in each of their last four road games following an overtime win.
• The Bills have won the first quarter in five of their last six September games against NFC opponents.

Why the Detroit Lions will win

• The Lions have won four of their last five games as underdogs without Jameson Williams.
• The Bills have lost four of their last five games without Dawson Knox.
• The Lions have covered the spread in each of their last seven September games as underdogs against AFC opponents.
• The Bills have failed to cover the spread in each of their last five games as home favorites following a win.
• The Bills have lost the first quarter in three of their last four games as favorites following a win.
• The Bills have lost the first half in six of their last seven games as favorites following a win.

Total Points Facts

• Each of the Bills’ last seven September games as home favorites have gone OVER the total points line.
• Five of the Lions’ last six road games against AFC East opponents have gone UNDER the total points line.

Buffalo Bills Player Prop Facts

• Josh Allen has scored the last touchdown in three of the Bills’ last four games as home favorites against NFC opponents.
• Josh Allen has scored two or more touchdowns in four of the Bills’ last five home games against NFC opponents.
• D.J. Moore has recorded 75+ receiving yards in each of his last seven appearances with Kyle Allen as the starting quarterback.
• Josh Allen has recorded 251+ passing yards in 10 of the Bills’ last 12 games with a total points line of at least 50.0.
• Josh Allen has recorded 41+ rushing yards in each of the Bills’ last four games as favorites against NFC North opponents.
• Josh Allen has recorded 22+ completions in each of the Bills’ last six games with a total points line of at least 50.0.
• Josh Allen has scored at least one touchdown in each of the Bills’ last eight games as home favorites against teams on a winning streak.
• D.J. Moore has recorded 67+ rushing and receiving yards in six of his last seven regular season home appearances against NFC North opponents.
• Heading into Week 2, D.J. Moore ranks T1st in the NFL in 20+ yard receiving touchdowns (1) this season.

Detroit Lions Player Prop Facts

• Amon-Ra St. Brown has scored two or more touchdowns in three of the Lions’ last four September games.
• Jared Goff has recorded 25+ completions in five of the Lions’ last six games.
• Jameson Williams has recorded 66+ receiving yards in each of the Lions’ last four games as road underdogs.
• Jared Goff has recorded 307+ passing yards in each of the Lions’ last three Week 2 games.
• Jahmyr Gibbs has scored at least one touchdown in 13 of the Lions’ last 15 games with a total points line of at least 50.0.
• Jameson Williams has recorded 66+ rushing and receiving yards in each of the Lions’ last four games as road underdogs.
• Heading into Week 2, Amon-Ra St. Brown ranks T1st in the NFL in receiving touchdowns (2) this season.

Matchup/League Facts

• Bills – two different players have recorded 90+ receiving yards in a game this season – equal-most in the NFL, heading into Week 2.
• Bills – two different players have recorded 100+ receiving yards in a game this season – most in the NFL, heading into Week 2.
• Heading into Week 2, the Lions rank 32nd in the NFL in passing yards allowed per game (378.0) this season.
• Heading into Week 2, the Lions rank T1st in the NFL in Q3 points per game (14.0) this season.

Lions vs Bills Prediction 

Detroit comes into this matchup after avoiding a major collapse last week, but the second half was played very poorly and they were lucky to win. The Lions looked terrible on defense in the second half and the secondary was really struggling. Buffalo also won a high scoring game, but their defense had issues of their own. This should be a great game to watch, but I can’t back the Lions with what I saw against the New Orleans passing game. Take the Bills here.

David Racey's Pick: Bills -4.5