A December 15 Lions-Bills matchup looked interesting when the schedule was first announced.
But given how the season has played out thus far for the two squads, the matchup has become even more interesting.
The Lions and Bills meet on Sunday at Ford Field with a combined 22-4 record. Both have clinched playoff spots, and the Bills have already clinched the AFC East. Both are among the top-four teams in terms of Super Bowl odds.
So while both will have more to play for in January and possibly February, Sunday should be a fun afternoon in Detroit, too.
Here’s a look at what to expect from Lions-Bills:
**A wild loss in Los Angeles**
The Bills are coming to Detroit after a doozy of a game in Los Angeles on Sunday afternoon.
Buffalo lost to the Rams, 44-42, in the highest scoring game of the NFL season. The Bills were down 38-21 at the start of the fourth quarter before charging back to lose by two points and snap their seven-game win streak.
Josh Allen became the first quarterback in league history to throw for three touchdowns and run for three touchdowns in the same game. But that wasn’t enough to overcome a Bills team that gave up 457 yards to Matthew Stafford and company and allowed a touchdown on a punt block.
**Josh Allen MVP candidacy**
Even in Sunday’s loss, Allen may have locked up his first NFL MVP award. Allen’s MVP odds moved as high as -400 in some sportsbooks after that six-touchdown performance.
Saquon Barkley and Lamar Jackson may still be in the race. But Allen has thrown 23 touchdowns against just five interceptions, has a league-best quarterback rating and has also run for 5.2 yards per carry and nine touchdowns.
Jared Goff is having a strong season of his own, but on Sunday he’ll be facing a quarterback playing at a higher level than any other in the NFL right now.
**Pass-catching help coming?**
Perhaps most impressive about what Allen did against the Rams is that he did it without two of his best pass-catching targets
Former Michigan State wide receiver Keon Coleman and tight end Dalton Kincaid both missed the game due to injuries. Coleman is the team’s second-leading receiver and Kincaid is the third.
Both practiced in the week leading up to the game but were ultimately ruled out, suggesting another week could have them ready to play against the Lions.
Their absence, though, helped lead to Amari Cooper’s most productive game in a Bills uniform –six catches, 95 yards – since his trade from Cleveland earlier this season.
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