Throughout this season, the Buffalo Bills were heading into each of this game and were expected to win big. As long as they have Josh Allen under center, it’s rare to see the Bills being doubted. This week however, it’s a different story.
Not only are the Bills on the road for the second straight week, but they are heading to take on the hottest team in the NFL, the Detroit Lions. Dan Campbell is the best thing that has happened to the Detroit Lions in a very long time. Just a couple years ago, the Lions were the laughing stock of the league and now they are favorites to go far and maybe even win a Super Bowl.
This is yet another candidate for “Game of the Year” for the Bills, who lost last week’s leading game of the year against the Los Angeles Rams in a 44-42 loss. Now they have to deal with the Lions who have four impactful players that Bills fans should fear on Sunday.
4 Lions who Bills fans need to watch out for in Week 15
C Frank Ragnow
Detroit may have the best offensive line in the league and the anchor of it all is Frank Ragnow, their Pro Bowl center. The Lions have had a fantastic offensive line since Dan Campbell took over and Ragnow is one of those overlooked players because he was on a bad Lions team for so long.
With the rushing attack of David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs behind someone like Ragnow, this Bills’ defensive line is in for a world of trouble. Not to mention, Ragnow is a proven great pass protector for Jared Goff.
RB Jahmyr Gibbs
Fun fact, Jahmyr Gibbs has only truly started one game this year, yet he has established himself as a top ten back in the league. He currently ranks fifth in rushing yards with 1,016 yards and he has 10 touchdowns on the ground, 2 in the air. Whatever a running back needs to be successful, Gibbs has it.
He can run, he can catch, he can block. He can do anything that Ben Johnson needs him to do. Buffalo’s run-defense has to face the two-headed monster of Gibbs and David Montgomenry but Gibbs is a little bit more dangerous because he is versatile. It would not be a surprise to have Matt Milano or Terrel Bernard be assigned to try and contain Gibbs all game long.
S Kerby Joseph
Josh Allen has done a fantastic job this season with a supporting casting around him. He’s been able to pick apart secondaries this season, whether it’s through the air or on the ground. However, Detroit’s secondary has been phenomenal this season and part of the reason why is because of safety Kerby Joseph. In a secondary that has Brian Branch and Carlton Davis, Joseph is the one that should put some fear into Bills fans.
According to the Detroit Lions PR team, Joseph is tied for first in interceptions (7), pass defenses (10), and interceptions returned for a touchdown (1). He is also only allowing 54.5% of completions of targets thrown his way which ranks as the third lowest (per PFF).
The Bills have always been blessed with great safety play with Micah Hyde and Jordan Poyer for many seasons. Now they will take on a top safety duo with Branch and Joseph.
Among all @NFL safeties this season, @Lions S @JKERB25 ranks:
– T-1st in INTs (7)
– T-1st in pass defenses (10)
– T-1st in INT returned TDs (1)
– 3rd in lowest completion % allowed (54.5%) (15 target minimum, per @PFF)
– 5th in INT return yards (60)#ProBowlVote#OnePride pic.twitter.com/A0bTMbGrCK— Detroit Lions PR (@LionsPR) December 11, 2024
WR Amon-Ra St. Brown
The Bills are already dealing with some secondary injuries and whoever will be on the field this Sunday will have a major task to try and contain star wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown. He’s only averaging 66 yards per game, but he has those explosive games where he can get north of 100 yards.
He’s only had three games of over 100 yards but he still leads the Lions in targets, receptions, yards, and touchdowns. Bills fans can expect Christian Benford, Buffalo’s best corner, to follow St. Brown around on Sunday afternoon.
