Buffalo Bills defeat Detroit Lions 41-31: Recap & Betting Results
Thu, Sep 17, 2026 · NFL · Detroit Lions 31, Buffalo Bills 41
The Buffalo Bills beat the Detroit Lions 41-31 on Thursday, September 17, 2026, at Highmark Stadium. The Buffalo Bills covered the spread as 5.5-point favorites. The game went over the closing total of 54.5, with 72 points combined. AiQ's player props in this game went 1-0.
Detroit Lions vs. Buffalo Bills final score and game recap
The Buffalo Bills led 14-0 after the first quarter and 27-10 at halftime. The Detroit Lions outscored the Buffalo Bills 21-14 in the second half. The Buffalo Bills led at the end of every quarter.
The leading performers, from the box score:
- Jared Goff (Detroit Lions): 26/38 passing for 327 yards, 4 touchdowns, 0 interceptions.
- Amon-Ra St. Brown (Detroit Lions): 9 catches for 142 yards, 2 receiving touchdowns.
- Josh Allen (Buffalo Bills): 20/31 passing for 248 yards, 3 touchdowns, 0 interceptions.
- James Cook III (Buffalo Bills): 21 carries for 135 yards, 1 rushing touchdown.
Who covered the spread in Detroit Lions vs. Buffalo Bills?
The Buffalo Bills covered the spread as 5.5-point favorites, winning by 10 points.
The spread opened at Buffalo Bills -4.5 and closed at Buffalo Bills -5.5.
Did Detroit Lions vs. Buffalo Bills go over or under the total?
The game went over: 72 points combined against a closing total of 54.5, over by 17.5. 37 of the 72 points came in the first half.
The total opened at 53.5 and closed at 54.5.
How did AiQ's Detroit Lions vs. Buffalo Bills predictions do?
AiQ's player props in this game went 1-0.
- Player props: 1-0, +$60.98 on $100 a pick at the listed prices.
Detroit Lions vs. Buffalo Bills player prop results
AiQ's player prop picks went 1-0 in this game, +$60.98 on $100 a pick at the listed prices.
- C.J. Gardner-Johnson (Buffalo Bills): under 5.5 tackles + assists at -164, finished with 1, a win.
Detroit Lions vs. Buffalo Bills game prop results: first half, team totals and first quarter
AiQ does not pick game props. This is how the sportsbook markets settled.
- First-half moneyline: Buffalo Bills won the first half, paying -192.
- Detroit Lions team total 24.5: the over, paying -113, with 31 scored.
- First-quarter moneyline: Buffalo Bills won the first quarter, paying -162.
- First-quarter total 10.5: the over, paying +105, with 14 points scored.
- First-half total 27.5: the over, paying -102, with 37 points scored.
- First-half spread: Buffalo Bills -3.5 covered, paying -105.
- Buffalo Bills team total 30.5: the over, paying -113, with 41 scored.
Detroit Lions vs. Buffalo Bills odds: sportsbook value and line movement
Shortly before the start, the consensus moneyline had the Detroit Lions at +200 and the Buffalo Bills at -245. With the bookmaker's margin removed, that made the Buffalo Bills a 68% favorite. The Buffalo Bills won as the favorite at -245: $40.82 profit on a $100 bet.
The spread moved toward the Buffalo Bills between the open and the close, and they covered. The total moved up from 53.5 to 54.5, and the game went over.
Detroit Lions and Buffalo Bills betting trends: 2026 season
This result left the Detroit Lions 1-1 in the 2026 regular season (1-0 at home, 0-1 away or at neutral sites). Against the spread, they covered in 0 of 2 games with a closing line on file. All two of their games with a closing total went over.
This result left the Buffalo Bills 2-0 in the 2026 regular season (1-0 at home, 1-0 away or at neutral sites). Against the spread, they covered in 2 of 2 games with a closing line on file. All two of their games with a closing total went over. That made it two straight wins for the Buffalo Bills.
What's next for Detroit Lions and Buffalo Bills?
Next for the Detroit Lions: the New York Jets at home on Sunday, September 27, 2026. Next for the Buffalo Bills: the Los Angeles Chargers at home on Sunday, September 27, 2026.