Detroit Lions
Buffalo Bills
Kickoff: 8:15 PM
New Highmark Stadium, Orchard Park
Match Facts
- League
- National Football League
- Week
- Week 2
- Date
- 09/17/2026
- Venue
- New Highmark Stadium
The Buffalo Bills host the Detroit Lions at New Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park for a Week 2 showdown on Thursday, September 17, 2026. Both teams arrive as playoff-caliber clubs from last season, with the Bills finishing the 2025/26 campaign at 12-5 while the Lions closed at 9-8. They share one striking number: each scored 481 points last season, setting up a meeting that promises plenty of action.
Two of the NFL’s most productive offenses from 2025/26 meet for the first time on record, with the Bills’ 12-5 mark giving them the stronger recent season despite identical scoring totals.
When and where the Bills and Lions meet
This is the first recorded meeting between the Bills and the Lions, and it lands in Week 2 of the NFL season at New Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park. Kickoff is set for Thursday, September 17, 2026, with Buffalo playing host for the opener of their head-to-head series. The matchup gives both teams an early chance to set a tone for the season ahead.
Season form
The Bills enter this fixture off a 12-5 campaign in 2025/26, good for second place in the AFC East, and they closed the regular season with wins in three of their last five games. The Lions finished 9-8, fourth in the NFC North, and split their final five outings with wins over Dallas and Chicago alongside losses to the Rams, Steelers and Vikings. Detroit’s December wobble was the difference between a quiet finish and a postseason push.
Offense vs defense
Both teams lit up the scoreboard last season, scoring 481 points apiece, but their paths differed. Buffalo leaned on a ground game that averaged 4.9 yards per carry and produced 32 rushing touchdowns, while Detroit threw for 4,303 yards and 35 passing touchdowns. Defensively, the Bills allowed 365 points to the Lions’ 413, and Detroit’s pass rush was more disruptive with 49 sacks to Buffalo’s 37.
Head-to-head history
There is no prior recorded meeting between the Bills and the Lions, making this Week 2 contest the first in their series. That gives both clubs a clean slate in the rivalry, with no history to lean on and everything to play for in front of a home crowd in Orchard Park.
When do the Bills play the Lions?
The Bills host the Lions at New Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park on Thursday, September 17, 2026, in Week 2 of the NFL season.
What were the Bills’ and Lions’ records in 2025/26?
The Buffalo Bills finished the 2025/26 season at 12-5, while the Detroit Lions closed at 9-8.
How did each team close the 2025/26 regular season?
Buffalo won three of its last five games, beating Cleveland, the Jets and Jacksonville while falling to Philadelphia and Denver. Detroit also won three of five, defeating Dallas and Chicago but losing to the Rams, Steelers and Vikings.
Have the Bills and Lions met before?
No, this is the first recorded meeting between the Buffalo Bills and the Detroit Lions.
How did the two teams compare offensively last season?
Each team scored 481 points in 2025/26. Buffalo ran for 2,976 yards and 32 rushing touchdowns, while Detroit passed for 4,303 yards and 35 passing touchdowns.
Next Match
Week 2 · New Highmark Stadium · Detroit Lions vs Buffalo Bills
Regular Season NFL match-ups by week 272 games ▾
▼ Week 1 16 games
|
Thu, Sep 10 |
|
Sun, Sep 13 |
|
Sun, Sep 13 |
|
Sun, Sep 13 |
|
Sun, Sep 13 |
|
Sun, Sep 13 |
|
Sun, Sep 13 |
|
Sun, Sep 13 |
|
Sun, Sep 13 |
|
Sun, Sep 13 |
|
Sun, Sep 13 |
|
Sun, Sep 13 |
|
Sun, Sep 13 |
|
Sun, Sep 13 |
|
Mon, Sep 14 |
|
Date TBD |
▼ Week 2 16 games
|
Thu, Sep 17 |
|
Sun, Sep 20 |
|
Sun, Sep 20 |
|
Sun, Sep 20 |
|
Sun, Sep 20 |
|
Sun, Sep 20 |
|
Sun, Sep 20 |
|
Sun, Sep 20 |
|
Sun, Sep 20 |
|
Sun, Sep 20 |
|
Sun, Sep 20 |
|
Sun, Sep 20 |
|
Sun, Sep 20 |
|
Sun, Sep 20 |
|
Sun, Sep 20 |
|
Mon, Sep 21 |
▼ Week 3 16 games
|
Thu, Sep 24 |
|
Sun, Sep 27 |
|
Sun, Sep 27 |
|
Sun, Sep 27 |
|
Sun, Sep 27 |
|
Sun, Sep 27 |
|
Sun, Sep 27 |
|
Sun, Sep 27 |
|
Sun, Sep 27 |
|
Sun, Sep 27 |
|
Sun, Sep 27 |
|
Sun, Sep 27 |
|
Sun, Sep 27 |
|
Sun, Sep 27 |
|
Sun, Sep 27 |
|
Mon, Sep 28 |
▼ Week 4 16 games
|
Thu, Oct 1 |
|
Sun, Oct 4 |
|
Sun, Oct 4 |
|
Sun, Oct 4 |
|
Sun, Oct 4 |
|
Sun, Oct 4 |
|
Sun, Oct 4 |
|
Sun, Oct 4 |
|
Sun, Oct 4 |
|
Sun, Oct 4 |
|
Sun, Oct 4 |
|
Sun, Oct 4 |
|
Sun, Oct 4 |
|
Sun, Oct 4 |
|
Sun, Oct 4 |
|
Mon, Oct 5 |
▼ Week 5 15 games
|
Thu, Oct 8 |
|
Sun, Oct 11 |
|
Sun, Oct 11 |
|
Sun, Oct 11 |
|
Sun, Oct 11 |
|
Sun, Oct 11 |
|
Sun, Oct 11 |
|
Sun, Oct 11 |
|
Sun, Oct 11 |
|
Sun, Oct 11 |
|
Sun, Oct 11 |
|
Sun, Oct 11 |
|
Sun, Oct 11 |
|
Sun, Oct 11 |
|
Mon, Oct 12 |
▼ Week 6 14 games
|
Thu, Oct 15 |
|
Sun, Oct 18 |
|
Sun, Oct 18 |
|
Sun, Oct 18 |
|
Sun, Oct 18 |
|
Sun, Oct 18 |
|
Sun, Oct 18 |
|
Sun, Oct 18 |
|
Sun, Oct 18 |
|
Sun, Oct 18 |
|
Sun, Oct 18 |
|
Sun, Oct 18 |
|
Sun, Oct 18 |
|
Mon, Oct 19 |
▼ Week 7 14 games
|
Thu, Oct 22 |
|
Sun, Oct 25 |
|
Sun, Oct 25 |
|
Sun, Oct 25 |
|
Sun, Oct 25 |
|
Sun, Oct 25 |
|
Sun, Oct 25 |
|
Sun, Oct 25 |
|
Sun, Oct 25 |
|
Sun, Oct 25 |
|
Sun, Oct 25 |
|
Sun, Oct 25 |
|
Sun, Oct 25 |
|
Mon, Oct 26 |
▼ Week 8 14 games
|
Thu, Oct 29 |
|
Sun, Nov 1 |
|
Sun, Nov 1 |
|
Sun, Nov 1 |
|
Sun, Nov 1 |
|
Sun, Nov 1 |
|
Sun, Nov 1 |
|
Sun, Nov 1 |
|
Sun, Nov 1 |
|
Sun, Nov 1 |
|
Sun, Nov 1 |
|
Sun, Nov 1 |
|
Sun, Nov 1 |
|
Mon, Nov 2 |
▼ Week 9 15 games
|
Thu, Nov 5 |
|
Sun, Nov 8 |
|
Sun, Nov 8 |
|
Sun, Nov 8 |
|
Sun, Nov 8 |
|
Sun, Nov 8 |
|
Sun, Nov 8 |
|
Sun, Nov 8 |
|
Sun, Nov 8 |
|
Sun, Nov 8 |
|
Sun, Nov 8 |
|
Sun, Nov 8 |
|
Sun, Nov 8 |
|
Sun, Nov 8 |
|
Mon, Nov 9 |
▼ Week 10 14 games
|
Thu, Nov 12 |
|
Sun, Nov 15 |
|
Sun, Nov 15 |
|
Sun, Nov 15 |
|
Sun, Nov 15 |
|
Sun, Nov 15 |
|
Sun, Nov 15 |
|
Sun, Nov 15 |
|
Sun, Nov 15 |
|
Sun, Nov 15 |
|
Sun, Nov 15 |
|
Sun, Nov 15 |
|
Sun, Nov 15 |
|
Mon, Nov 16 |
▼ Week 11 13 games
|
Thu, Nov 19 |
|
Sun, Nov 22 |
|
Sun, Nov 22 |
|
Sun, Nov 22 |
|
Sun, Nov 22 |
|
Sun, Nov 22 |
|
Sun, Nov 22 |
|
Sun, Nov 22 |
|
Sun, Nov 22 |
|
Sun, Nov 22 |
|
Sun, Nov 22 |
|
Sun, Nov 22 |
|
Mon, Nov 23 |
▼ Week 12 16 games
|
Wed, Nov 25 |
|
Thu, Nov 26 |
|
Thu, Nov 26 |
|
Thu, Nov 26 |
|
Fri, Nov 27 |
|
Sun, Nov 29 |
|
Sun, Nov 29 |
|
Sun, Nov 29 |
|
Sun, Nov 29 |
|
Sun, Nov 29 |
|
Sun, Nov 29 |
|
Sun, Nov 29 |
|
Sun, Nov 29 |
|
Sun, Nov 29 |
|
Sun, Nov 29 |
|
Mon, Nov 30 |
▼ Week 13 14 games
|
Thu, Dec 3 |
|
Sun, Dec 6 |
|
Sun, Dec 6 |
|
Sun, Dec 6 |
|
Sun, Dec 6 |
|
Sun, Dec 6 |
|
Sun, Dec 6 |
|
Sun, Dec 6 |
|
Sun, Dec 6 |
|
Sun, Dec 6 |
|
Sun, Dec 6 |
|
Sun, Dec 6 |
|
Sun, Dec 6 |
|
Mon, Dec 7 |
▼ Week 14 15 games
|
Thu, Dec 10 |
|
Sun, Dec 13 |
|
Sun, Dec 13 |
|
Sun, Dec 13 |
|
Sun, Dec 13 |
|
Sun, Dec 13 |
|
Sun, Dec 13 |
|
Sun, Dec 13 |
|
Sun, Dec 13 |
|
Sun, Dec 13 |
|
Sun, Dec 13 |
|
Sun, Dec 13 |
|
Sun, Dec 13 |
|
Sun, Dec 13 |
|
Mon, Dec 14 |
▼ Week 15 16 games
|
Thu, Dec 17 |
|
Sat, Dec 19 |
|
Sat, Dec 19 |
|
Sun, Dec 20 |
|
Sun, Dec 20 |
|
Sun, Dec 20 |
|
Sun, Dec 20 |
|
Sun, Dec 20 |
|
Sun, Dec 20 |
|
Sun, Dec 20 |
|
Sun, Dec 20 |
|
Sun, Dec 20 |
|
Sun, Dec 20 |
|
Sun, Dec 20 |
|
Sun, Dec 20 |
|
Mon, Dec 21 |
▼ Week 16 16 games
|
Thu, Dec 24 |
|
Fri, Dec 25 |
|
Fri, Dec 25 |
|
Fri, Dec 25 |
|
Sat, Dec 26 |
|
Sun, Dec 27 |
|
Sun, Dec 27 |
|
Sun, Dec 27 |
|
Sun, Dec 27 |
|
Sun, Dec 27 |
|
Sun, Dec 27 |
|
Sun, Dec 27 |
|
Mon, Dec 28 |
|
Date TBD |
|
Date TBD |
|
Date TBD |
▼ Week 17 16 games
|
Thu, Dec 31 |
|
Sat, Jan 2 |
|
Sun, Jan 3 |
|
Sun, Jan 3 |
|
Sun, Jan 3 |
|
Sun, Jan 3 |
|
Sun, Jan 3 |
|
Sun, Jan 3 |
|
Sun, Jan 3 |
|
Sun, Jan 3 |
|
Sun, Jan 3 |
|
Sun, Jan 3 |
|
Sun, Jan 3 |
|
Mon, Jan 4 |
|
Date TBD |
|
Date TBD |
▼ Week 18 16 games
|
Sun, Jan 10 |
|
Date TBD |
|
Date TBD |
|
Date TBD |
|
Date TBD |
|
Date TBD |
|
Date TBD |
|
Date TBD |
|
Date TBD |
|
Date TBD |
|
Date TBD |
|
Date TBD |
|
Date TBD |
|
Date TBD |
|
Date TBD |
|
Date TBD |