Bills vs. Lions preview: Is Buffalo offense primed for explosive day? Our writers make their picks

DETROIT — By the time the Buffalo Bills leave Ford Field on Thursday, it’s going to feel like their second home.

The Bills (7-3) play their second game in five days in Detroit when they battle the Lions (4-6) Thursday to kick off the NFL’s Thanksgiving trio of games. Buffalo relocated its home game from Orchard Park, N.Y. to Detroit last Sunday because of a snowstorm that dropped more than six feet of snow on Highmark Stadium.

Bills offensive coordinator Ken Dorsey said it’s been a whirlwind since the end of the Browns game. The team hopped on a bus after the game and immediately started on the game film. Dorsey said he started putting the game plan together for the Lions on the plane ride back to Buffalo.

When preparing on a short week – the Bills only held one formal practice on Tuesday and it was more of a walk-through – Dorsey said he has to keep in mind what his players can handle.

“What do you feel comfortable about them running, and at times it’s gonna be less about maybe attacking a defense and more about, hey, we feel like our guys are going to be good at this no matter what looks they see,” he said. “It’s that balance of having game-plan specific stuff and … it’s just like, hey, call it, run it, let’s go.”

Dorsey’s job may get tougher if starting center Mitch Morse, who suffered an ankle injury against the Browns and is listed as questionable on the injury report, isn’t able to play. Starting right guard Ryan Bates said that the plan is for him to move over to center in place of Morse if he can’t go. Greg Van Roten started against the Miami Dolphins earlier in the season in place of Morse, but Bates said he’s comfortable at guard.

“I’ve been playing a lot of center (the past few years),” Bates said. “It’s just basically big man behind us (Allen), who he feels comfortable with. And not that he doesn’t feel comfortable with (Greg), but … he’s comfortable (at guard), I’m comfortable (at center).”

The Bills’ run game finally got going last week against the Browns when running backs Devin Singletary and James Cook combined to rush for 172 yards. Rookie James Cook had a career-high 86 rushing yards and gave Buffalo a spark.

When the Bills are able to rely on their running game, it creates a balanced attack that puts defenses in a bind trying to figure out how to stop them.

“I feel like it gives our offense that balance where we’re not one-dimensional,” Stefon Diggs said this week. “I feel like we’re two- dimensional. We can throw the ball, we can pass the ball, we can run it with the quarterback. We can beat you in many different ways.”

The Lions are playing good football and enter the game riding a three-game winning streak. Detroit running back Jamaal Williams leads the NFL in rushing touchdowns (12) and the Lions rank 5th in the NFL in red zone efficiency, scoring a touchdown on 71% of drives that reach the opposing team’s 20-yard line.

Detroit is dealing with a host of injuries on its offensive line, which has been one of the best in the NFL through 11 weeks. Starting guards Evan Brown (ankle) and Jonah Jackson (concussion) have been ruled out for the game. That could help a Bills defensive line that’s banged up in its own right. Greg Rousseau (ankle) has been ruled out and A.J. Epenesa (ankle) is doubtful. The Bills elevated long-time practice squad defensive end Mike Love for the game to provide some depth on the edge.

Allen eliminated the turnovers last week after throwing two interceptions in each of his last three games. On the short week, he said it helps to have so many familiar faces in the huddle who have been in the system for so long.

“We can call some of our base stuff and stuff that we haven’t maybe called all year, but it’s day one install stuff that we know in the back of our minds that we can go out there and Dorsey feels confident in calling in,” Allen said. “Just try not to do too much on a short week and put in too many plays, so that’s extremely useful when you can do that.”

KEYS TO THE GAME

Force Goff into turnovers

Goff has only one turnover in the three-game winning streak for the Lions. The Bills are tied for the league lead in interceptions. Tre’Davious White hasn’t been ruled out yet but McDermott said he’s still day-to-day and there’s no indication whether he’ll be able to make his long-awaited return. It’ll be a year exactly on Thursday since White suffered a torn ACL on Thanksgiving last season. Kaiir Elam should return to the lineup, which could help the Bills force a few turnovers.

Keep the run game chugging

Cook and Singletary might have stumbled upon something last week when they went off against the Browns. Detroit is ranked 31st in the NFL in rush defense, allowing 153 yards per game this season. Dorsey needs to get the ball to his backs and maybe even get Nyheim Hines involved this week.

PREDICTIONS

The Lions defense is going to be without cornerback Jeff Okudah and that could mean a big day for Stefon Diggs. The Lions are giving up the most yards and the most points in the NFL this season. Josh Allen just has to take care of the football and Buffalo should roll. – Parrino

SCORE: Bills 35, Lions 24

Detroit enters Thursday’s game on a three-game winning streak, but their roster is not at Buffalo’s level at this point and time. Allen and the offense got off to a bit of a slow start last week, but still put up 31 points against the Browns. It’s still a short week, but Buffalo will be more prepared than last week when illness and a snowstorm prevented the team from holding two practices. – Ryan Talbot

SCORE: Bills 38, Lions 20

READ MORE

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