Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen made a significant impact in the first regular-season game at the new Highmark Stadium, leading his team to a 41-31 victory over the Detroit Lions on Thursday night. Allen threw for three touchdowns and added two rushing scores, marking his fourth career five-touchdown outing.
Allen quickly set the tone, overseeing touchdown drives on each of Buffalo’s first four possessions. He scored the stadium's first regular-season touchdown with a one-yard run early in the opening quarter. His performance included a 43-yard scoring pass to Josh Palmer, with Dalton Kincaid and Dawson Knox also catching touchdown passes in the first half.
The Lions, despite a strong effort from Jared Goff who threw for 327 yards and four touchdowns, were hampered by an injury-depleted defense. Goff's efforts, including two scores to Amon-Ra St Brown, helped rally the Lions from a 21-0 deficit, but they ultimately stalled in the fourth quarter.
Highmark Stadium, a new $2.1 billion facility with a capacity of just over 60,000, hosted its first regular-season game. Bills fans reportedly began arriving days in advance to celebrate the opening of the new venue.