Buffalo Bills vs Detroit Lions Match Player Stats (Dec 15, 2024)
Game Date: December 15, 2024
Location: Ford Field, Detroit
Records Entering Game: Buffalo (10-3) at Detroit (12-1)
The Bills beat the Lions 48-42 on December 15, 2024, ending Detroit’s 11-game winning streak. Josh Allen accounted for four touchdowns while Jared Goff threw for five. Here’s what happened.
Table of Contents
Josh Allen Sets NFL Record
Allen finished 23 of 34 for 362 yards and two touchdown passes. He also ran 11 times for 68 yards and two more scores. According to ESPN, he became the first player in NFL history with multiple passing touchdowns, multiple rushing touchdowns, 350+ passing yards, and 60+ rushing yards in the same game.
| Category | Stat |
|---|---|
| Passing | 23/34, 362 yards, 2 TDs |
| Rushing | 11 carries, 68 yards, 2 TDs |
| Passer Rating | 122.4 |
| Sacks Taken | 0 |
One play in the third quarter showed why Detroit struggled all game. Allen rolled right, pump-faked twice, then found Ty Johnson 33 yards downfield. The Lions had 11 defenders on the field but couldn’t stop him.
Bills Control Ground Game
Buffalo ran for 197 yards on 34 carries. Detroit managed 48 yards on 15 attempts. That’s a 149-yard difference.
| Player | Team | Carries | Yards | TDs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| James Cook | BUF | 14 | 105 | 2 |
| Josh Allen | BUF | 11 | 68 | 2 |
| Jahmyr Gibbs | DET | 8 | 31 | 1 |
| David Montgomery | DET | 5 | 4 | 0 |
Cook’s 41-yard touchdown run in the third quarter gave Buffalo a 28-14 lead. He broke two tackles on the play.
Goff Keeps Lions Close
Despite the loss, Goff completed 38 of 59 passes for 494 yards and five touchdowns with no interceptions. Pro Football Reference confirms this tied his career high for touchdown passes.
| Player | Catches | Yards | TDs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amon-Ra St. Brown | 14 | 193 | 1 |
| Sam LaPorta | 7 | 111 | 0 |
| Jahmyr Gibbs | 5 | 83 | 1 |
| Tim Patrick | 4 | 30 | 1 |
Offensive tackle Dan Skipper also caught a 9-yard touchdown pass in the second quarter.
Three Key Plays
First Quarter: Buffalo scored touchdowns on its first two drives. Allen ran for both. Detroit punted on its first two possessions for the first time all season.
Third Quarter: Christian Benford forced a fumble from St. Brown at midfield. Matt Milano recovered. Buffalo scored four plays later to take a 35-14 lead.
Fourth Quarter: Detroit attempted an onside kick trailing 38-28. Mack Hollins recovered and returned it 37 yards to Detroit’s 5-yard line. Allen scored on the next play.
Ty Johnson vs His Former Team
Johnson caught 5 passes for 114 yards against Detroit, including 95 yards in the first half. That set a Bills record for receiving yards by a running back in one half.
“He’s the best third-down back in the game,” Allen said after the game. “The way that he sees protections, it’s quarterback-like.”
Defensive Stats
Buffalo recorded three sacks and forced one turnover. Detroit had zero sacks and forced zero turnovers.
| Player | Team | Stats |
|---|---|---|
| Ed Oliver | BUF | 10 QB pressures, 1 sack |
| Christian Benford | BUF | 1 sack, 1 forced fumble |
| Matt Milano | BUF | 1 fumble recovery |
| Brian Branch | DET | Team-high tackles |
Special Teams
Both kickers missed field goals. Tyler Bass missed from 24 yards. Jake Bates missed from 52. Detroit failed on two onside kick attempts, both recovered by Buffalo.
| Kicker | FG | XP |
|---|---|---|
| Tyler Bass (BUF) | 2/3 | 6/6 |
| Jake Bates (DET) | 0/1 | 6/6 |
Game Totals
| Category | Buffalo | Detroit |
|---|---|---|
| Total Yards | 559 | 521 |
| Passing Yards | 362 | 473* |
| Rushing Yards | 197 | 48 |
| First Downs | 28 | 30 |
| Time of Possession | 32:42 | 27:18 |
| Turnovers | 0 | 1 |
| *Goff had 494 passing yards, but 21 were lost to sacks | ||
What This Meant
Buffalo improved to 11-3 and eventually reached the AFC Championship. Detroit fell to 12-2 but still earned the NFC’s second seed. The 90 combined points were the most in any NFL game during the 2024 season.
For more Bills coverage, see their game against Miami. For Detroit’s response, check their win over Minnesota.
FAQs
What was the final score of the Bills-Lions game?
Buffalo won 48-42 at Ford Field on December 15, 2024.
How many touchdowns did Josh Allen score?
Four total – two passing and two rushing.
Who led each team in receiving?
Amon-Ra St. Brown had 193 yards for Detroit. Ty Johnson had 114 for Buffalo.
What was the rushing differential?
Buffalo outrushed Detroit 197-48.
Did Detroit’s winning streak end?
Yes, their 11-game winning streak ended with this loss.
What were the playoff results for both teams?
Buffalo reached the AFC Championship. Detroit earned the NFC’s second seed.
Summary
The Buffalo Bills vs Detroit Lions match player stats show a game dominated by offense. Allen’s record-setting day, Buffalo’s rushing attack, and two failed onside kicks decided the outcome. Both teams proved they belonged among the NFL’s best with strong playoff runs afterward.
