Buffalo Bills vs Detroit Lions Preview (11/24/22): Betting Odds, Prediction, Depth Chart

We have a fantastic Thanksgiving slate on deck, and we start our feast filled day with the Super Bowl favorites Buffalo Bills against the hottest team in football the last few weeks in the Detroit Lions. With the Lions making a push for the wild card slot, this game goes a long way in deciding their postseason fate in what would be a huge win for Detroit.

Buffalo Bills vs Detroit Lions Betting Odds

Sadly, for the Lions, oddsmakers are bearish on their chances to pull off the upset as the Bills roll in as a -9 favorite. Even with an untraditional leadup to the game with the Bills staying in Detroit after a schedule change, they will come in as the far superior team on both ends of the ball.

As for the total, the number has quickly steamed up as points are expected to be scored in bunches with the Bills shredding the Lions defense and Detroit’s offense being able to possibly keep scoring pace as one of the better units in football.

Buffalo Bills vs Detroit Lions Prediction

The Pick: Bills -9

While I may be the world’s most optimistic Lions fan, I know it’s time to temper our expectations for their season long outlook. The Bills pose as a fully elite unit on both ends of the field, a team that is going to steamroll Detroit. 

It’s worth noting that the Lions last three wins came against very weak competition with two of them being extremely lucky. They were fortunate enough for the Bears to shank a XP while the Packers offense had a complete meltdown in the redzone on multiple occasions. The Giants are also a major fraud, one that is finally coming back down to earth after a lucky start to the season.

The Bills are light years better than any win the Lions have on their season with weapons in every position on offense to shred the Lions defense. While improved from their last place ranks at the start of the season, they just simply do not have enough talent on defense to limit the Bills attack. The loss of Okudah especially hurts as he was rounding into form for this very thin secondary.

Betting Trends

• Thanksgiving Road Favorites are 18-6 ATS since 2004
• The Under is 5-0 when the Bills are on the road this season

Key Injuries

Buffalo Bills Injuries: S Micah Hyde (Neck) O, WR Jamison Crowder (Ankle) O

Detroit Lions Injuries: Jeff Okudah (O)

Bills vs Lions Key Matchups

Can the Lions offensive line open up the run game? How will the Bills secondary slow down the Lions pass attack?

Lions run game vs Bills defensive front

One of the more pleasant surprises for the Lions offensive success has been the emergence of Jamaal Williams as the bell cow back. While splitting duties with DeAndre Swift, Williams has been included in more snaps as he has seen immediate success on the field.

With Jamaal Williams currently running as one of the best backs in the league, the Lions now have a two headed dragon that they can deploy in the backfield with a playmaker in at all times. This can be taxing for a defense as they are not accustomed to fresher legs later in the game.

Best way to avoid getting run over late? Shut it down early on the line of scrimmage. Easier said than done as the Lions have one of the best offensive lines in football but the Bills defense is elite in pressure and more than capable of disrupting the backfield.

Bills defense vs Lions pass attack

The key metric to watch in covering a large number, the Bills secondary will need to come ready as Jordan Poyer is still not 100%. The Lions possess one of the best passing attacks in football, one that has led to top scoring metrics.

Pressure from the defensive line will be at a premium as disrupting Goff into making him make bad decisions has been key to shutting down the Lions offense. Should the defensive line generate pressure then they will be able to roll the opposing offense off the field early and often.

Buffalo Bills Depth Chart

QB: Josh Allen

RB1: Devin Singletary

RB2: Nyheim Hines

LWR: Stefon Diggs

RWR: Gabe Davis

SWR: Ian McKenzie

TE1: Dawson Knox

Detroit Lions Depth Chart

QB: Jared Goff

RB1: DeAndre Swift

RB2: Jamaal Williams

LWR: DJ Chark

RWR: Josh Reynolds

SWR: Amon-Ra St Brown

TE1: Brock Wright