The Detroit Lions 2021 season officially opened on Friday night. Ford Field opened its doors to fans for the first time since 2019, as the Lions hosted the Buffalo Bills for the opening preseason game of the year.
While it may only be the preseason, there’s a ton of intrigue with this game for Lions fans. It marks the beginning of a new era, and the first preseason game always has a little more on the line than the rest of the exhibition games. It’s new players’ first opportunity to show coaches that they can play when the lights are on, and it’s fans’ first chance to see the rookies and free agent additions.
So if you aren’t able to watch Friday night’s game, which starts at 7 p.m. ET and airs locally on FOX and nationally on NFL Network, we’ll be providing live updates here as the game goes on.
First quarter
The Detroit Lions won the toss and wanted the ball first. Unfortunately, the first drive didn’t go nearly as planned. Jared Goff nearly threw an interception on the first play from scrimmage, Jamaal Williams was stuffed on second down, and Goff was sacked on third down. Yikes. Rookie Penei Sewell struggled in pass protection on the sack:
The Bills responded by running the ball four straight times. But facing a third-and-six, Mitchell Trubisky threw it at his receiver’s feet, and the Bills were forced to try a 50-yard field goal, and made it. 3-0 Bills.
The Lions offense responded with a much better drive the second time around. Though the running game still couldn’t get off the ground, the Lions efficiently picked up a couple third-and-shorts, and a third-and-7 with a 9 yard catch from Amon-Ra St. Brown. The drive was highlighted by this big pickup from Tyrell Williams.
Ultimately, the Lions stalled in the red zone, and kicker Randy Bullock was good from 28 yards. 3-3 tie.
Second quarter
The Bills continued to see some success running the ball, but the Lions were able to stop Buffalo in a short-yard situation, getting a midfield stop by Kevin Strong on a third-and-3. With the second-team offense in, Tim Boyle led Detroit to another quick three-and-out. Victor Bolden dropped a potential third-down conversion.
The Bills, led by third-string quarterback Davis Webb mounted a 15-play, 83-yard touchdown drive against the Lions’ second-string defense. Again, the Bills found some success on the ground, but Webb capped the drive with a play-action pass that led to busted coverage on Detroit’s side. Running back Devin Singletary was wide open for the easy 6-yard touchdown. 10-3 Bills.
That gave the Boyle the opportunity to run a two-minute drill to end the half. Unfortunately, the Lions couldn’t even manage a first down. They decided to get aggressive and go for it on a fourth-and-1 at their own 36-yard line, but Jermar Jefferson was stuffed, giving the Bills an opportunity to add to their lead.
Webb 13-yard draw play put the Bills into the red zone, but a pressure from Julian Okwara forced an intentional grounding. That just about put an end to the Bills’ drive, as they had to settle for a field goal. 13-3 Bills.
Third quarter
The Bills’ opening drive in the second half went nowhere thanks, in part, to Lions rookie linebacker Derrick Barnes. In coverage, Barnes closed in on tight end Jacob Hollister and made an open-field tackle for no gain. A couple plays later, the Lions sent him and rookie cornerback Ifeatu Melifonwu on a blitz. Melifonwu was picked up, leaving Barnes open to pressure the quarterback, forcing a throwaway and a punt.
Tim Boyle threw an interception on the ensuing drive, but it was negated by a roughing the passer penalty that had Boyle limping after the play. He decided to stay in the game, but couldn’t pick up a first down, giving the ball back to the Bills.
Buffalo could only muster a single first down before the Lions offense took back over. Boyle led the Lions on a successful drive as the third quarter came to an end. Running back Dedrick Mills kept the drive alive with an impressive fourth-down run. He avoided the tackle for loss, broke another tackle and picked up 20 yards, setting the Lions up in the red zone.
Fourth quarter
Boyle suffered another roughing of the passer penalty on a big hit. But Detroit’s offense could not take advantage. An illegal chop block moved the Lions back 15 yards, and Boyle couldn’t get them out of the hole. The Lions ended up settling for a field goal and Randy Bullock was good from 27 yards out. 13-6 Bills.
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