In the modern NFL, some games are destined to be remembered as instant classics. On December 15, 2024, Ford Field hosted a Week 15 showdown that felt more like a high-octane video game than a professional football match. The Buffalo Bills vs Detroit Lions match player stats tell the story of a 90-point explosion that shattered season records and solidified MVP narratives.

Entering the contest, the Lions were on a franchise-record 11-game winning streak, while the Bills were navigating a historic offensive tear. In a match that came down to the final 12 seconds, Buffalo secured a 48–42 victory—the highest-scoring NFL game of the 2024 season.

Quick Game Facts

Final Score: Buffalo Bills 48, Detroit Lions 42
Date: December 15, 2024
Location: Ford Field, Detroit, MI
Attendance: 66,541
Records: Bills (11-3), Lions (12-2)
Key Milestone: Buffalo extended its franchise record by scoring 30+ points in eight straight games, becoming the first team to do so since the 2013 Broncos.

Team Comparison Statistics

The box score reveals a fascinating contrast: Detroit dominated the air with nearly 500 passing yards, but Buffalo’s balanced attack and defensive pressure (3 sacks to Detroit’s 0) made the difference.

Statistic	Buffalo Bills	Detroit Lions
Total First Downs	28	30
Total Net Yards	559	521
Rushing Yards	197	48
Passing Yards	362	473
Rushing Average	5.8	3.2
Turnovers	0	1
Sacks Recorded	3.0	0.0
Time of Possession	32:42	27:18

Scoring Summary

The Bills silenced the Detroit crowd with a lightning-fast 14–0 lead in the first quarter. While the Lions’ offense found its rhythm, Buffalo’s explosive third quarter—including a back-breaking 41-yard James Cook touchdown—kept Detroit at arm’s length.

Quarter	Team	Play Description	Score (BUF-DET)
1st	BUF	Josh Allen 1-yard TD run (Bass kick)	7–0
1st	BUF	Josh Allen 4-yard TD run (Bass kick)	14–0
2nd	DET	Tim Patrick 12-yard TD pass from Goff (Bates kick)	14–7
2nd	BUF	James Cook 6-yard TD run (Bass kick)	21–7
2nd	DET	Dan Skipper 9-yard TD pass from Goff (Bates kick)	21–14
3rd	BUF	James Cook 41-yard TD run (Bass kick)	28–14
3rd	BUF	Khalil Shakir 3-yard TD pass from Allen (Bass kick)	35–14
3rd	DET	Amon-Ra St. Brown 66-yard TD pass from Goff (Bates kick)	35–21
4th	BUF	Tyler Bass 50-yard FG	38–21
4th	DET	Jahmyr Gibbs 12-yard TD pass from Goff (Bates kick)	38–28
4th	BUF	Ray Davis 5-yard TD pass from Allen (Bass kick)	45–28
4th	DET	Jahmyr Gibbs 1-yard TD run (Bates kick)	45–35
4th	BUF	Tyler Bass 41-yard FG	48–35
4th	DET	Jameson Williams 3-yard TD pass from Goff (Bates kick)	48–42

Quarterback Duel: The MVP Race Intensifies

Josh Allen solidified his status as the MVP frontrunner by punishing the Lions with both his arm and his legs. Jared Goff was equally surgical, matching a career-high with five touchdown passes in a relentless attempt to keep Detroit’s streak alive.

Buffalo Bills: Josh Allen

CMP/ATT	YARDS	TD	INT	RUSH YDS	RUSH TD	RATING
23/34	362	2	0	70	2	122.4

Detroit Lions: Jared Goff

CMP/ATT	YARDS	TD	INT	RUSH YDS	SACKS	RATING
38/59	494	5	0	13	3	118.9

Player Individual Statistics

The Buffalo Bills vs Detroit Lions match player stats show a massive discrepancy in the ground game. James Cook broke the 100-yard mark, while Detroit’s Jahmyr Gibbs was limited to just 31 rushing yards. However, Amon-Ra St. Brown was nearly unstoppable, posting the best receiving game of his career.

Buffalo Bills Offensive Leaders

Player	Rush Att	Rush Yds	TD	Rec	Rec Yds	TD
James Cook	14	105	2	1	28	0
Josh Allen	11	70	2	0	0	0
Ty Johnson	2	9	0	5	114	0
Khalil Shakir	0	0	0	6	39	1
Keon Coleman	0	0	0	1	64	0

Detroit Lions Offensive Leaders

Player	Rush Att	Rush Yds	TD	Rec	Rec Yds	TD
Jahmyr Gibbs	8	31	1	5	83	1
David Montgomery	5	4	0	4	31	0
Amon-Ra St. Brown	0	0	0	14	193	1
Sam LaPorta	0	0	0	7	111	0
Jameson Williams	0	0	0	3	37	1

Defensive Metrics & Impact Plays

The Bills’ defensive front, despite missing three starters, harassed Jared Goff all afternoon. Christian Benford, Ed Oliver, and Greg Rousseau all recorded sacks. Benford also delivered the game’s biggest defensive play—a forced fumble on Amon-Ra St. Brown that Matt Milano recovered to set up a Buffalo touchdown.

Player (Team)	Tackles	Sacks	Forced Fumbles	TFL
Christian Benford (BUF)	5	1.0	1	1
Ed Oliver (BUF)	4	1.0	0	1
Greg Rousseau (BUF)	3	1.0	0	1
Jack Campbell (DET)	12	0.0	0	1

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Who won the Buffalo Bills vs. Detroit Lions match?

The Buffalo Bills won 48–42. This victory ended Detroit’s 11-game winning streak and propelled the Bills to the #2 seed in the AFC.

2. What were the key player stats for Josh Allen?

Josh Allen accounted for 432 total yards and 4 touchdowns (2 passing, 2 rushing). He finished with a 122.4 passer rating.

3. Did the Lions have any turnovers?

Yes, wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown lost a fumble in the third quarter after a hit by Christian Benford. This was the only turnover of the game and was a critical turning point.

4. How many yards did Amon-Ra St. Brown have?

St. Brown had 14 receptions for 193 yards and one touchdown, including a 66-yard score in the third quarter.

Conclusion

The Buffalo Bills vs Detroit Lions match player stats reflect a game of historic proportions. Buffalo proved they could win a high-scoring dome track meet against the best the NFC had to offer, while Detroit showed they could put up 500 yards even in a loss. As we look ahead to the 2026 playoffs, this Week 15 shootout remains the blueprint for how elite offenses can dismantle even the sturdiest defenses.