Detroit Lions vs Buffalo Bills Picks and Predictions December 15th 2024

Detroit Lions vs Buffalo Bills December 15th 2024

The Lions are the favorite in their week 15 matchup against the Bills, with the game set to kick off at 4:25 ET on Sunday, December 15th at Ford Field in Detroit. The Lions are -1.5 point favorites on the point spread, and their money line odds are -129. On the season, the Lions have a 5-8 record, while the Bills’ record is not included. This non-conference matchup is being televised on CBS, with the over/under line set at 55 points.

Buffalo vs. Detroit Key Information

Heading into week 15, the Bills sit at 10-3, putting them 1st in the AFC East and 2nd in our NFL power rankings. Buffalo has a +9.9 scoring margin and is 8-5 against the spread, including a 7-3 record as favorites. After their week 13 win over the 49ers, the Bills had a 100% chance of making the playoffs and winning their division, according to our projections.

However, the Bills couldn’t extend their win streak to five games, falling 44-42 to the Rams in week 14. Buffalo was a 3.5-point favorite but couldn’t pull off the win, bringing their road record to 4-3. The combined 86 points easily surpassed the 50-point line.

Josh Allen has been on fire for the Bills, posting a passer rating of 117 in week 14, with 342 yards and 3 touchdowns against the Rams. He also rushed for 82 yards and 3 touchdowns. Before that, he had a passer rating of 141 in week 13 and threw for 148 yards and 2 touchdowns in week 12.

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Buffalo ranks 2nd in the NFL in points per game, averaging 30.5. They are 12th in passing yards per game (229.3) and 11th in rushing yards per game (125.7). The Bills are 8th in the league in 3rd-down conversions, with a 43.4% success rate.

In a tough 44-42 loss to the Rams, the Buffalo Bills’ defense struggled to get off the field, allowing the Rams to convert on 73.3% of their third down attempts. Buffalo gave up 320 yards through the air, and the Rams averaged 10.7 yards per passing attempt. Overall, the Bills allowed 457 total yards and a completion percentage of 76.7% to Los Angeles.

Buffalo’s defense also had a tough time stopping the run, as the Rams ran for 137 yards on 42 attempts. Despite hitting the quarterback more and winning the tackles for loss battle, the Bills were unable to come up with any sacks in the game.

With 11 straight wins, the Lions sit atop our power rankings and have a 100% chance of making the playoffs. They are 12-1 and hold the top spot in the NFC. Detroit is 6-0 on the road and 6-1 at home, including a 34-31 win over the Packers in week 14. The Lions couldn’t cover the 3-point spread, but the 65 combined points went over the 53-point line.

Detroit is 9-3-1 against the spread, with an average scoring margin of +14.1. Their O/U record is 6-6-1, with their games averaging 50.1 points. The average line in their games has been 49.9 points.

Heading into week 15, the Lions sit 3rd in our offensive power rankings. They lead the NFL in points per game (32.1) and are 2nd in yards per game (394.8). Despite ranking 22nd in passing attempts, they are 4th in passing yards per game (243.8). Detroit is also 4th in rushing yards per game (151.1) and 3rd in rushing attempts. On 3rd down, they convert 45.8% of the time, ranking 4th in the league, and they lead the NFL in red zone attempts, though they rank 29th in red zone conversion percentage.

Jared Goff threw for 283 yards (32/41) and 3 touchdowns in week 14 against the Packers, with one interception. David Montgomery had 51 rushing yards on 14 carries, while Jameson Williams led the team with 5 receptions for 80 yards. The Lions scored in every quarter, putting up 10 points in the 2nd and 4th quarters. They converted 7 of 15 3rd downs and went 4/5 in the red zone.

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In their 34-31 win over the Packers, the Lions’ defense allowed just 199 passing yards on 12 completions. Green Bay managed only a 20% third-down conversion rate and 99 rushing yards on 24 attempts. The Lions’ defense also limited the Packers to 298 total yards in the game.

Detroit’s defense was effective in generating pressure, as they had four more quarterback hits than the Packers and recorded one sack. Although the Lions allowed one passing touchdown, Green Bay only managed to complete 60% of their passes.

For this week 15 matchup between the Bills and Lions, we have the Bills coming out on top by a score of 28-26. With this projection, we are looking to take the Bills to cover as road underdogs. The point spread has the Bills at +1.5, making them our pick vs. the spread.

As for the over/under, with the line sitting at 55 points, we have a slight lean towards the under, projecting these teams to combine for 54 points.

Top Offenses Collide as Lions Host Bills in Potential Playoff Preview

Two of the NFL’s most potent offenses are set to clash when the Detroit Lions (12-1) host the Buffalo Bills (10-3) on Sunday. Both teams are among the league’s elite and are making strong cases as Super Bowl contenders, promising an explosive, high-scoring affair at Ford Field.

Bills Aim to Rebound After Tough Loss

Buffalo enters the matchup after a heartbreaking 44-42 loss to the Los Angeles Rams, which snapped a seven-game winning streak. Despite a historic performance from quarterback Josh Allen, who became the first player in NFL history to record three rushing and three passing touchdowns in a single game, the Bills’ defensive struggles proved costly. They allowed 457 total yards and failed to register a sack or turnover.

Head coach Sean McDermott emphasized the need for a return to fundamentals on defense.

“We’ve got to get back to good fundamental football,” McDermott said. “It is a mentality. It is an attitude.”

Buffalo will also look to reintegrate running back James Cook, who saw limited action last week with just six carries for 20 yards. The Bills are averaging 30.5 points per game, second only to Detroit, and will need their offense firing on all cylinders to keep pace.

Lions Riding High on Franchise-Record Winning Streak

Detroit is arguably the hottest team in the league, boasting an 11-game winning streak and leading the NFL in scoring at 32.1 points per game. Their offense, led by MVP candidate Jared Goff, has been relentless. Goff has rebounded from a five-interception outing against Houston last month to throw nine touchdowns with just one interception over the past four games.

Head coach Dan Campbell praised Goff’s focus on winning over individual accolades.

“I guarantee you, that’s not Goff’s focus,” Campbell said. “If you just focus on the win and what it’s going to take, the individual accolades will follow.”

Detroit’s defense, which has been banged up in recent weeks, is getting healthier. Defensive linemen Josh Paschal, Levi Onwuzurike, and D.J. Reader, all of whom missed the win over the Packers, could return. Defensive tackle Alim McNeill (concussion) and offensive tackle Taylor Decker (knee) also practiced in full on Wednesday.

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Matchup to Watch: Josh Allen vs. Lions Defense

Slowing down Josh Allen will be the Lions’ top priority. Allen, who is averaging 303 passing yards per game with 35 total touchdowns this season, presents a dual-threat challenge that could exploit Detroit’s defense. Campbell highlighted Allen’s unique combination of physicality and competitiveness.

“He’s big, he’s strong, he’s fast, and he’s fearless,” Campbell said. “That’s why those guys play the way they do for him.”

Detroit’s improving defensive line will be key in disrupting Allen’s rhythm and keeping the Bills’ high-octane offense in check.

Key Injuries

• Bills: Tight end Dalton Kincaid (knee) practiced in full and could make his return.
• Lions: Several defensive linemen, including Paschal and Onwuzurike, are trending toward playing after missing time.

Prediction

With two of the league’s best offenses and MVP candidates on both sides, this matchup could easily turn into a shootout. The Lions’ momentum and home-field advantage might give them a slight edge, but the Bills’ urgency to bounce back from their loss makes this a true toss-up.