Detroit Lions vs. Buffalo Bills
Detroit Lions
Quarterbacks
- Matthew Stafford: 12/19, 137 yards, 1 TD
- Josh Johnson: 5/10, 71 yards | 1 carry, 11 yards
- David Fales: 3/8, 22 yards | 1 carry, 2 yards
It was a good sign for Lions fans as Matthew Stafford made his preseason debut this week. Stafford mostly looked good but did miss a sure TD to Marvin Jones. Jones made a good move to get open in the end zone and Stafford threw the ball behind him allowing the defender to make a play and knock away the pass. I think that’s a TD 90% of the time in the regular season. Stafford did find Ty Johnson out of the backfield on the next drive for a TD.
David Fales got the first crack with the second team but looked out of sorts during his short stint. Fales was under duress often–taking two sacks–and never seemed comfortable when tasked with throwing the ball. Fales seemed to be the leader in the backup QB battle but lost ground tonight.
Josh Johnson looked much more comfortable in this game than he did in his last, but that was probably to be expected considering he was with the team for just seven days prior to his last outing. Johnson took the Lions 95 yards on his first drive, connecting with seventh-round rookie Isaac Nauta on a nice 23-yard throw down the seam. Johnson looked to Nauta again in the end zone, but it was batted away. Johnson’s bid for a comeback win was dashed when UDFA Travis Fulgham fumbled deep in Buffalo territory.
Running Backs
- Kerryon Johnson: 2 carries, 4 yards | 1 reception, 7 yards
- CJ Anderson: 8 carries, 24 yards | 2 receptions, 17 yards
- Ty Johnson: 4 carries, 9 yards | 1 reception, 11 yards, 1 TD
- Zach Zenner: 4 carries, 21 yards
- Mark Thompson: 8 carries, 34 yards, 1 TD | 1 reception, 5 yards
Kerryon Johnson saw limited action, playing just two series before exiting. Johnson was unable to get anything going on the ground as Buffalo’s defense was making a living in Detroit’s backfield. Johnson was split out wide on Detroit’s first play of the game and caught Stafford’s pass on a quick curl. Later, Detroit motioned Johnson wide out of the backfield where he again was the target, although he dropped the low throw.
CJ Anderson saw considerably more work than Johnson in this game and had the best run of the night. Detroit’s offensive line opened up a gaping hole and Anderson dashed through it, finishing the run with a nice stiff arm for a 10-yard gain. Much like Johnson, however, Anderson struggled to find running lanes due to the stout Buffalo defense.
The rest of the RB rotation is still in flux behind Johnson and Anderson as three players seem to be fighting for roster spots. Holdover Zach Zenner, sixth-round rookie Ty Johnson, and UDFA Mark Thompson all saw action in this game.
Ty Johnson appears best suited for the third-down role vacated by Theo Riddick as his game is built on speed. He was the first of the three onto the field in this game and hauled in his only target for a TD.
Zenner and Thompson seem to have similar roles and both have been impressive thus far in the preseason. Zenner explodes through the hole and is big enough to gain yards after contact. Thompson displayed good patience and vision in this game, consistently finding holes and powering through a tackler for his TD. One of these players seems destined to be cut, but don’t be surprised if that player ends up on another roster in short order.
Wide Receivers / Tight Ends
- TJ Hockenson: 3 receptions, 52 yards
- Marvin Jones: 1 reception, 7 yards
- Danny Amendola: 3 receptions, 30 yards
- Jesse James: 1 reception, 13 yards
- Kenny Golladay: 0 receptions, 1 target
Both TJ Hockenson and Danny Amendola were favorites of Stafford in this game with each seeing four targets. Amendola caught three of them but dropped a first-down and a potential TD catch early in the second quarter. Hockenson also dropped a potential TD after Stafford escaped pressure and improvised a sidearm delivery that should have been caught. Both are great late-round targets in PPR leagues as I think both are going to get a lot of opportunities this year.
Kenny Golladay and Marvin Jones were mostly held in check, but both had TD chances as well. As mentioned earlier, Stafford missed Jones in the end zone, but Golladay was at fault on his target. Golladay went out of the back of the end zone and came back in, catching a pass from Stafford in the end zone. The play was nullified by holding, so the TD wouldn’t have counted regardless, but it’s a mistake Golladay can’t make in the regular season.
Isaac Nauta was a favorite target of Johnson tonight but was only able to convert his four targets into one reception. Nauta is a big body and has potential if either Hockenson or Jesse James misses time.
Buffalo Bills
Quarterbacks
- Josh Allen: 3/6, 49 yards | 2 carries, 17 yards
- Matt Barkley: 12/14, 142 yards, 1 TD | 1 carry, 3 yards
Josh Allen saw extensive time in this game, playing the entire first half. As you can see, Allen wasn’t asked to attempt many passes tonight, but he did captain the team to two TDs during his time. Allen made a horrible mistake late in the first quarter as he rolled right to avoid a sack and threw back across his body for an easy INT by the defense. Allen was bailed out by a questionable roughing the passer penalty, but that doesn’t excuse the throw. Allen addressed the play in a post-game interview, saying it’s a mistake he should have learned not to make as a rookie last season. Allen did escape the pocket for a couple of nice runs, so the Bills don’t appear to have plans to limit his rushing this season.
Matt Barkley looked sharp against Detroit’s reserves. His TD pass to Duke Williams was intentionally underthrown so that Williams could catch it at its highest point over the defender. The defender seemed to lose track of both Williams and the ball as he saw no resistance on his path to the end zone.
Running Backs
- LeSean McCoy: 6 carries, 37 yards
- Frank Gore: 8 carries, 57 yards
- Devin Singletary: 1 carry, 9 yards, 1 TD
- TJ Yeldon: 3 carries, 0 yards | 3 receptions, 51 yards
Both LeSean McCoy and Frank Gore saw the bulk of the first-team work tonight, and both had impressive runs. Gore had a scare following a long run as a late hit out of bounds sent him limping to the sideline. Fortunately, Gore returned a short time later and showed no ill effects from the hit. McCoy looked fast and decisive and would have had an even better game if two long runs hadn’t been called back because of holding. McCoy might be a pleasant surprise at his ADP and Gore would have RB2 or FLEX appeal if he were to become the full-time RB.
Rookie Devin Singletary didn’t get much work in this game but did have a nice run off right tackle for a TD. On the play, Singletary used his speed to outrun defenders to the front pylon and then maintained his balance through a tackle to cross the goal line. The lack of playing time tonight is a bit of a concern, but I think the Bills have a good sense of what he brings to the team so his presence wasn’t needed for this game. Singletary is a nice late-round target as he has flashed upside this preseason and looks poised to become a starter in the coming season for dynasty leaguers.
TJ Yeldon was much more effective as a receiver than a runner tonight but seems deep down the depth chart at RB. Yeldon might be able to carve out a third-down role, but his fantasy appeal is limited at best.
Wide Receivers / Tight Ends
- Zay Jones: 3 receptions, 46 yards
- Cole Beasley: 1 reception, 14 yards, 1 fumble lost
- John Brown: 2 receptions, 35 yards
Buffalo’s receivers basically had the night off as the starters only saw six attempts from Allen. John Brown was Allen’s most targeted receiver (3) and he showed off his speed on consecutive crossing routes, easily outrunning the coverage and picking up nice gains on both. It will be interesting to see if Buffalo uses the speedster in this capacity once the regular season begins.
Zay Jones played into the third quarter and saw time with Barkley, with whom he accrued most of his yardage. Barkley found Jones deep down the right sideline for a 36-yard play, but the most interesting thing about the play was Detroit’s challenge of potential offensive pass interference. It appeared as if Jones extended his arm to create separation before the ball arrived, but the officiating crew determined no interference occurred. I think the PI challenges will be fascinating this season, but I also think it will have to be egregious for the officials to call a penalty after review.
Cole Beasley lost a fumble on his only reception which led to the first points of the game (Detroit FG).
Of Buffalo’s reserves, only Ray-Ray McCloud saw significant work in the passing game. McCloud was targeted four times, catching two for 29 yards. McCloud fits best as a slot receiver, but likely won’t see much playing time barring an injury to Beasley.
Injuries
- Detroit may have lost two key players to serious injury tonight, one on each side of the ball. LB Jarrad Davis went down on the second play of the game after a teammate rolled into his right leg and he was carted to the locker room. Davis was expected to take on a larger role at middle linebacker this season and make calls for the defense. Davis’s likely replacement is rookie Jahlani Tavai.
- Second-year player Frank Ragnow, penciled in as the starting center for Detroit after playing left guard his rookie season, also left with a non-contact injury to his right leg. Graham Glasgow, last year’s starting center, replaced Ragnow, but this loss could significantly affect the Lions offense as the team now has to reshuffle the line.
Notes: Matt Prater converted a 61-yard FG to end the first half. Prater holds the NFL record with a 64-yard FG in 2013…Neither first-team offense was able to convert a third down in the game. The first-team offenses combined to go 0-for-8 on third downs.
— Bryan Sweet