DETROIT – Josh Allen delivered another colossal performance, totaling four touchdowns and 431 offensive yards to lead the Buffalo Bills to a powerful statement and a 48-42 victory over the Detroit Lions on Sunday.
In addition to returning to the victorious column by virtue of an 11th victory in 14 games, the Bills put an end to the aura of invincibility of the Lions, who lost for the first time since September.
Since their loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the second week of activities, Dan Campbell’s men have scored 11 victories.
“It’s another step up when you’re playing against the best,” Bills head coach Sean McDermott said. From now on, we’re going to have to play like this every game. »
Further boosting his candidacy for the title of most valuable player to his team in the NFL, Allen scored two majors on the ground, and two others through the air.
Allen completed touchdown passes to Khalil Shakir and Ray Davis. He also carried the ball 11 times for 68 yards, including runs of one and four yards in the end zone.
All this, a week after becoming the first player in history to score three touchdown passes and three touchdown runs in the same game.
“Improvised games are one of our strengths,” said Allen, himself a big reason why this is so.
“He poses a big problem,” summarized Lions head coach Dan Campbell.
James Cook contributed two majors via rushing and 133 yards, including 105 on the ground.
Condemned to try to maintain the infernal pace imposed by Allen on his lawn, Jared Goff racked up 494 passing yards and reached five different targets for majors.
Goff’s fifth aerial touchdown of the afternoon was caught by Jameson Williams with 12 seconds left, with Detroit’s cause looking hopeless for quite some time in the second half.
Goff tied a career high with five touchdown passes for the section-leading Lions.
The Minnesota Vikings could, however, create a deadlock in the lead by beating the Chicago Bears on Monday evening.
Buffalo extended a club record by scoring at least 30 points in an eighth straight game.
The Bills are the first team since the 2013 Denver Broncos to post such a streak.
The Bills’ Tyler Bass provided field goals of 50 and 41 yards.
For the Lions, Amon-Ra St. Brown accumulated 193 receiving yards, catching 14 balls.