The Detroit Lions’ tough stretch continues this week against the Buffalo Bills. Detroit has weathered every storm this year, as they continue to ride a franchise-high, 11-game winning streak. Their 12-1 record is tied for the Chiefs for the best record in football, and their +183 point differential is easily the best in the league.

The Bills’ point differential (+129) is second-best in the league and their 10-3 record is only bested by the Lions, Chiefs, Vikings and Eagles. Buffalo is coming off a tough loss to the Los Angeles Rams in a thrilling game, but quarterback Josh Allen is in the midst of an MVP campaign. On Sunday, he became the first ever quarterback to throw for three touchdowns and rush for another three in a single game.

“He’s playing at a very high level and that makes him even more dangerous,” Lions coach Dan Campbell said Monday. “So, it is, he’s got a big-time arm, he’s accurate, he can read defenses, and then he’s got the physical ability to take off and run, and he can run over people, he can run around you, he can get on the perimeter. So yeah, this is going to be a huge task for us, this is not going to be easy.”

So instead of focusing on the Lions’ power rankings—they remain first in everything—let’s take a closer look at the Bills and what analysts are saying about them.

MMQB:

Lions: 1 (Last week: 1)
Bills: 2

From Conor Orr:

The good: The Khalil Shakir breakout game has arrived. For those of us who have been promising the full realization of his talent for a while now (a link from this summer and a link from shortly before that) it truly is a great time to say I told you so. I was so impressed by his ability to take an underthrown Josh Allen ball in the fourth quarter from yesterday and turn it into a massive pass interference penalty, showing his veteran chops as well as his breakaway speed on the touchdown.

The bad: Taking a quarterback sneak at the end of that game with three timeouts. Sean McDermott has been rightfully held to task for this one. If we’re going to lift him up for making the big call against Kansas City, we are obligated to point out that depriving this team of a chance to hold the Rams on one series and get the ball back was a poor choice, especially since Allen did not have a good look on that sneak.

The Ringer:

Lions: 1 (Last week: 1)
Bills: 2

From Diante Lee:

An early blocked punt made it look like Buffalo was being thoroughly outplayed by the Rams on Sunday, but as the possessions evened out, it became clear that the Bills offense was having its way with L.A. Quarterback Josh Allen put the entire operation on his shoulders, throwing for 342 yards, rushing for 82, and accounting for all six of Buffalo’s touchdowns. His downfield accuracy was good when it needed to be, and his playmakers created offense on underneath throws as well. At least on one end, Buffalo came out of this week looking like an unstoppable force.

Defensively, though, Buffalo’s pair of safeties aren’t savvy or athletic enough to take throwing windows away from great passers. Taylor Rapp lacks the top-end speed to beat the ball and the receiver to their intended destinations, and Damar Hamlin isn’t always in the right position to make plays, either. Los Angeles picked on this secondary and moved the ball in a way that raises some red flags for the Bills going into the playoffs.

USA Today:

Lions: 1 (Last week: 1)
Bills: 3

From Nate Davis:

“Josh Allen is an alien.” Quite the assessment from Rams HC Sean McVay, who watched the very legal alien account for six touchdowns Sunday even though the AFC East champs dropped a 44-42 decision. The effort might help Allen land the MVP award, but the loss seriously damaged Buffalo’s bid to win the conference’s No. 1 playoff seed.

Yahoo Sports:

Lions: 1 (Last week: 1)
Bills: 4

From Frank Schwab:

Josh Allen’s odds to win MVP got a lot better even in a loss. The Bills’ hopes of avoiding Arrowhead Stadium in January didn’t. Giving up 44 points to the Rams and losing Sunday might define the AFC playoffs.

The Athletic:

Lions: 1 (Last week: 1)
Bills: 5

From Josh Kendall:

Breakout player: Safety Damar Hamlin

The player who survived cardiac arrest on the field in January 2023 is thriving this season. A sixth-round draft pick in 2021, Hamlin played in only five games last year, but this season has started all 13, is second on the team with 83 tackles and has recorded his first career interception and first career fumble recovery. He has two interceptions and five passes defended.

CBS Sports:

Lions: 1 (Last week: 1)
Bills: 5

From Pete Prisco:

Even Josh Allen and his amazing play couldn’t overcome the bad showing by the defense in the loss to the Rams. Now that defense will be tested again by the explosive Lions this week.

The 33rd team:

Lions: 1 (Last week: 1)
Bills: 5

From Marcus Mosher:

Josh Allen is the first quarterback in NFL history to have three passing and three rushing touchdowns in the same game. He racked up more than 400 yards of offense without a turnover, and it still wasn’t enough for the Buffalo Bills to win on Sunday.

Sean McDermott made several critical mistakes down the stretch, which could be the reason Buffalo doesn’t have the No. 1 (or maybe even No. 2) seed in the AFC this season.

Sporting News:

Lions: 1 (Last week: 1)
Bills: 6

From Vinnie Iyer:

The Bills’ defense, special teams, and traditional running game all got lost in Los Angeles, but Josh Allen didn’t. They can’t afford a similar breakdown around their MVP QB again with the Lions next on the road.

Coming later:

NFL.com:

Lions:
Bills:

From Eric Edholm: