The Lions' 11-game win streak came to a screeching halt Sunday against the Bills. Led by quarterback Josh Allen, Buffalo was the better team from start to finish in a 48-42 romp at Ford Field.
Allen led touchdown drives on the Bills' first three possessions and the Lions never caught up. The MVP favorite lived up to the billing, with 362 yards and two touchdowns in the air and 69 yards and two touchdowns on the ground.
Detroit's defense never stood a chance. The Bills finished with 560 yards of offense. That included 105 yards and two touchdowns for running back James Cook, who knifed through Detroit's front to the tune of 7.5 yards per carry. And in a twist that no one saw coming, former Lions running back Ty Johnson caught five passes for 114 yards.
Adding injury to insult, the Lions lost two more players from their depleted defense as top cornerback Carlton Davis III (jaw) and star defensive tackle Alim McNeill (knee) were both forced out of the game. McNeill's injury looked serious; he was visibly upset limping off the field before being carted to the locker room.
Jared Goff piled up 494 yards and five touchdowns for the Lions in the showdown between MVP candidates, but the bulk of his production came with the Lions chasing the game in the second half. Amon-Ra St. Brown had 14 catches for 193 yards and a touchdown. But he also committed a costly turnover in the third quarter when he fumbled in Lions' territory, which led to a touchdown and a 35-14 lead for the Bills.
The Lions eventually cut it to 38-28 early in the fourth. But the Bills recovered Detroit's ensuing onside kick and returned it for a near-touchdown. Allen rolled out and hit Ray Davis for a touchdown on the very next play to put the nail in the coffin.
The loss drops the Lions (12-2) into a tie with the Eagles atop the NFC, with the Vikings (11-2) playing Monday night.