Welcome to Week 2 of the 2026 NFL season. The opening week of the season certainly did not disappoint, as it tied the record for the highest-scoring Week 1 in NFL history. 

The Detroit Lions and Buffalo Bills meet Thursday night in a matchup that brings plenty of intrigue, with both teams entering at 1-0 after high-scoring victories in Week 1. Buffalo opened the season with a 36-31 win over Houston, while Detroit escaped New Orleans with a 31-30 victory. Now, the two explosive offenses square off under the Thursday Night Football spotlight in what could be one of the most entertaining games of the early NFL season.

 

 

 

Lions vs. Bills DFS Picks & Preview: Thursday Night Football, 9/17

Thursday night will mark the first regular-season game at Buffalo’s new Highmark Stadium, giving the Bills their official regular-season home opener in their new $2.2 billion facility. The combination of a new home, a primetime audience, and two 1–0 teams should make for an electric atmosphere in Orchard Park.

The betting market is also expecting plenty of offense, with the game total sitting at a massive 54.5 points. That number reflects what both teams showed in Week 1: Detroit and Buffalo each scored more than 30 points, but both defenses also allowed at least 30. The total suggests expectations for another potential shootout, with the offenses likely to dictate the pace. Whether the game reaches that number could come down to which defense can generate timely stops and which offensive line can hold up under pressure.

For Detroit, the matchup begins with protecting Jared Goff. Detroit could lean heavily on Jahmyr Gibbs after he carried the ball 29 times in Week 1, while Amon-Ra St. Brown remains Goff’s premier target and a key piece of the passing attack.

On the other side, Josh Allen presents the biggest challenge for Detroit’s defense. The Lions were aggressive with their pressure packages in Week 1, and Aidan Hutchinson was especially disruptive with 10 pressures. If Detroit can consistently get to Allen without leaving opportunities for Buffalo’s playmakers, it could force the Bills into difficult situations. Buffalo will look to counter with Allen’s ability to extend plays, along with James Cook and its collection of offensive weapons.

Ultimately, the matchup has all the ingredients of a memorable Thursday night: two unbeaten teams, explosive quarterbacks, star playmakers, a 54.5-point total, and the regular-season debut of Buffalo’s new stadium. With both teams coming off games that produced more than 60 combined points, the spotlight will be on the offenses, but whichever defense makes the critical stops could determine who leaves the new Highmark Stadium with a 2-0 record.

 

 

 

Lions vs. Bills TNF Odds 

  • Spread:
    • Lions +4.5 (-102)
    • Bills -4.5 (-118)
  • Money Line:
    • Lions (+195)
    • Bills (-238)
  • Game Total:
    • Over 54.5 (-118)
    • Under 54.5 (-102)
 

 

NFL Weather: Lions vs. Bills TNF, September 17th

For Lions vs. Bills Thursday Night Football at Highmark Stadium, the weather looks fairly favorable for football. Expect temperatures around 69°F at kickoff, mostly cloudy skies, and very light winds around 2–3 mph. There is a chance of showers earlier in the day, but current forecasts indicate only a small chance of rain during the game. 
 

Lions vs. Bills Injuries: Thursday Night Football Week 2

The Lions’ biggest injury concerns are along the offensive line, with right tackle Blake Miller (knee) and left guard Christian Mahogany (hip) ruled out. Detroit is expected to turn to Larry Borom at right tackle and Ben Bartch at left guard, putting added pressure on the offensive line against Buffalo’s pass rush. Cornerback D.J. Reed (foot) is questionable, making his status another important one to monitor against Josh Allen and Buffalo’s receiving corps. 

The Bills enter with safety Cole Bishop (knee/groin), running back Ty Johnson (hamstring), and defensive lineman T.J. Sanders (knee/illness) listed as questionable. All three were limited in Wednesday’s practice, with Sanders returning after missing Tuesday’s session because of illness. Linebacker Terrel Bernard (calf) was limited throughout the week but has no game designation and is expected to play, while Bradley Chubb (thumb) and Jordan Hancock (quad) practiced fully on Wednesday and also have no designation.

 

 

 

NFL Thursday Night Football DFS Picks: MVP/Captain

Jahmyr Gibbs, RB, Detroit Lions - DraftKings: $12,000 | FanDuel: $12,400

Gibbs erupted in the opener against New Orleans for 156 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 29 carries, while adding 5 catches for 30 yards, giving him 186 scrimmage yards and 34 touches. 

The biggest concern is Detroit's offensive line, with two starters ruled out for Thursday night. That could make it tougher for Gibbs to duplicate his 156-yard rushing performance, but his receiving ability provides an important floor.

His combination of massive workload, goal-line usage, receiving upside and the projected scoring environment gives him both an excellent floor and an extremely high ceiling.

Josh Allen, QB, Buffalo Bills - DraftKings: $11,400 | FanDuel: $13,200

Allen was spectacular in Week 1 against Houston, accounting for 357 total yards and four touchdowns, including two rushing scores. The matchup with Detroit is particularly appealing because the Lions allowed 410 passing yards and three passing touchdowns in their opener. Allen also brings an enormous rushing floor, which is critical for fantasy, given his ability to score on the ground gives him upside even if Buffalo's passing efficiency drops.

The game environment is another major positive. Buffalo and Detroit both scored more than 30 points in Week 1, and the 54.5-point total is the highest on the Week 2 slate, creating plenty of potential touchdown opportunities. 

Amon-Ra St. Brown, WR, Detroit Lions – DraftKings: $10,400 | FanDuel: $11,600

St. Brown dominated the Lions' passing game in Week 1, catching 10 of 14 targets for 67 yards and two touchdowns, and he remains Jared Goff's primary receiving option. Buffalo allowed the second-fewest passing yards last season, and the Bills' zone-heavy defensive approach could force Goff to distribute the ball underneath rather than consistently hitting explosive plays. 

St. Brown's target volume is the biggest attraction. Even if Buffalo limits his efficiency, Double-digit target upside gives him a strong path to a productive fantasy night, while his red-zone involvement gives him multi-touchdown upside.

James Cook, RB, Buffalo Bills – DraftKings: $9,400 | FanDuel: $10,200

Cook had a relatively quiet Week 1 against Houston, finishing with 57 rushing yards on 13 carries and 12 receiving yards on three catches. Still, the usage was encouraging as he handled 89% of Buffalo's backfield touches.

The matchup against Detroit gives Cook a path to a much bigger fantasy performance. The Lions surrendered 165 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns to New Orleans in Week 1, while Buffalo enters a game with a 54.5-point total, creating plenty of touchdown potential.

Cook ran routes on 50% of Buffalo's dropbacks in Week 1 and was targeted on 25% of those routes, suggesting his receiving involvement could provide a valuable ceiling if it carries over. Ty Johnson is also listed as questionable, and Cook would be a common fixture of the passing attack if he is out. 

 

 

 

NFL Thursday Night Football DFS Picks: Core Plays

Jared Goff, QB, Detroit Lions – DraftKings: $9,600 | FanDuel: $10,600

Goff threw for only 206 yards against New Orleans in the opener, but he did have two touchdown passes, and the 54.5-point total creates a strong environment for additional passing volume. Buffalo is favored by 4.5 points, so Detroit could be forced into a pass-heavy approach if the Bills' offense gets rolling.

The concern is Buffalo's pass rush and Detroit's offensive-line injuries. With Miller and Mahogany out, Goff may not be consistently operating from a clean pocket. Buffalo's defense also uses an attacking front under new coordinator Jim Leonhard, creating a potential pressure problem for a quarterback who has historically been much more effective when kept clean.

DJ Moore, WR, Buffalo Bills – DraftKings: $7,800 | FanDuel: $8,600

Moore made an immediate impact in his Buffalo debut, catching 5 of 8 targets for 100 yards and a touchdown, while also drawing a 46-yard pass-interference penalty. He commanded 28.6% of Buffalo's targets and 45.9% of the team's air yards, suggesting his role in the offense is already substantial.

The matchup is especially attractive, as Detroit's secondary surrendered 293 receiving yards to opposing wide receivers in Week 1. The game environment is another major positive, and Buffalo should have plenty of opportunities to score as a home favorite in a mid-50s game total. 

Jameson Williams, WR, Detroit Lions – DraftKings: $7,400 | FanDuel: $9,200

Williams is coming off a quiet Week 1 statistically, catching 4 of 9 targets for 45 yards, but the 9 targets are encouraging and show that he remains a significant part of Detroit's passing attack. 

The matchup is interesting and will be one of the main storylines of the game. Buffalo allowed 323 passing yards and two passing touchdowns in Week 1, but the Bills pass defense finished last season as one of the league's top units. 

The 54.5-point game total creates the possibility of multiple touchdowns for Williams amidst plenty of passing volume if Detroit has to chase Buffalo.

 

 

 

NFL Thursday Night Football DFS Picks: Mid-Tier Plays

Dalton Kincaid, TE, Buffalo Bills – DraftKings: $6,800 | FanDuel: $7,600

Kincaid exploded for 130 receiving yards against Houston, emerging as one of Josh Allen's most productive weapons. Buffalo's offensive scheme features multiple tight ends, with Kincaid working alongside Knox and Hawes, but his Week 1 production suggests he can command significant volume when the matchup dictates it.

Kincaid's Week 1 explosion makes him more likely to attract ownership, but his combination of big-play ability, red-zone potential, and connection with Allen gives him one of the stronger ceilings among the non-quarterback options.

Khalil Shakir, WR, Buffalo Bills – DraftKings: $6,400 | FanDuel: $8,200

Shakir is coming off a Week 1 performance in which he caught 4 of 6 targets for 50 yards against Houston. While that production wasn't spectacular, the six targets and his role as Buffalo's primary slot receiver give him a reasonable floor, particularly in an offense led by Josh Allen and a much better matchup in Week 2.

Shakir's underneath role can complement the downfield work of Moore, while Allen's willingness to spread the ball around creates opportunities for multiple Buffalo receivers. Shakir doesn't have the same ceiling as Moore or Kincaid, but his salary makes him useful for fitting Allen alongside premium pieces.

Sam LaPorta, TE, Detroit Lions – DraftKings: $5,400 | FanDuel: $7,400

LaPorta opened the season with 5 catches for 48 yards on 8 targets, giving him solid involvement in Detroit's passing game despite not finding the end zone. 

The Lions' offensive-line injuries could actually help LaPorta's short-area role if Goff needs to get the ball out quickly. With Detroit potentially playing from behind against Buffalo and the game carrying a 54.5-point total, there is a path to another 7–8 target performance.

 

 

 

NFL Thursday Night Football DFS Picks: Value Plays

Dawson Knox, TE, Buffalo Bills – DraftKings: $2,800 | FanDuel: $4,200

Knox's Week 1 usage was not encouraging, as he had just one reception for 7 yards. He played on 38 of 57 snaps, but he ran a route on just 12 of those snaps. The good news comes from the nature of that Week 1 matchup, as the Bills squared off against Houston's vaunted pass rush. 

Detroit is also expected to have a strong rush, but Knox might be freed up to run a few more routes. He was also a valuable target in the red zone last season, and a single TD reception could make him viable on the showdown slate at his salary. 

Isaac TeSlaa, WR, Detroit Lions – DraftKings: $3,800 | FanDuel: $2,800

TeSlaa had only 16 receptions as a rookie last season, but a whopping 6 of them went for a touchdown. That is what we are chasing here on Thursday Night Football. 

The box score from Week 1 included no catches on just a single target, but his underlying usage was much more encouraging. TeSlaa ran a route on 78% of Detroit's dropbacks, which is significant route participation and a clear boost over last season's involvement. If he carves out a role between the 20s to supplement his already significant red zone production, he could have considerable upside beyond his salary. 

 

 

 

TNF DFS Picks: Kickers & D/ST

 Tyler Bass comes off a strong Week 1 in which he made all three field-goal attempts and added three extra points for 12 fantasy points. His ability to convert from distance gives him a legitimate ceiling if Buffalo moves the ball but occasionally stalls in Lions territory. 

Jake Bates is similarly attractive in the showdown/single-game format because Detroit's offense should have opportunities in what projects as a high-scoring game. The Lions' two starting offensive-line injuries could create some additional stalled drives, which would actually benefit Bates if Detroit settles for field goals rather than touchdowns.

The Bills D/ST is the more difficult unit to evaluate despite playing at home. Buffalo allowed Houston to score 31 points in Week 1 and surrendered nearly 400 yards, so this isn't an obvious matchup for defensive fantasy production. However, Detroit enters with a banged-up offensive line, potentially making Buffalo's pass rush more dangerous. That creates a path to sacks and turnovers even if the Lions still put points on the board.

The Lions D/ST is a more volatile tournament option. Detroit's defense struggled to contain New Orleans in Week 1, but its aggressive approach gives the unit sack and turnover upside. 

 

 

 

Lions vs. Bills DFS Player Pool: TNF, 9/17

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