The Detroit Lions are gearing up for one of their most significant games of the season: a Sunday, November 15, showdown against the Buffalo Bills. With a 10-3 record, Josh Allen and the Bills are one of the top teams in the AFC, while Jared Goff and the Lions sit at 11-1, making them one of the best, if not the best, teams in the NFC. The outcome of this game is crucial for both teams, and each will do whatever it takes to secure the win.
While much of the attention will be on the Lions’ defense and how it plans to contain Allen, Detroit’s offense will also play a pivotal role in their chances of victory. Fortunately, the Lions may have a key advantage heading into the game.
Lions’ Running Back Duo Poised for Success
In a December 13 article for SideLion Report, NFL analyst Brad Berreman highlighted the potential impact of the Lions’ running back tandem, Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery, nicknamed “Sonic and Knuckles.” Berreman suggests that the duo could provide Detroit with an edge against Buffalo, especially when paired with quarterback Jared Goff.
“The ground game will be crucial for the Lions on Sunday as they aim to keep Josh Allen and the Bills’ offense off the field,” Berreman explained. “Montgomery and Gibbs will be the key players driving this effort.” He also noted that beyond just the running game, the duo has a “matchup advantage against Buffalo’s defense,” one that offensive coordinator Ben Johnson is likely to exploit in his game plan.
Berreman also pointed out that, heading into Week 15, Buffalo is surrendering the most receptions (74), most targets (95), and the third-most receiving yards (579) to running backs this season.
“We know what Gibbs can do as a pass catcher, even though he’s sometimes underused in that role,” Berreman noted. “While it would be great to see Gibbs get more targets, Montgomery has been excellent as a pass catcher this year as well.”
Berreman also mentioned that the Lions’ ground game is poised for a “rebound day” against the Bills, noting that “the significant vulnerability the Bills’ defense has in covering running backs is hard to ignore,” and with the two talented weapons Detroit has in the backfield, they are likely to exploit it.
**Bills Miss Practice Due to Snowstorm**
As the Lions prepare for the Bills, there’s an additional factor: Buffalo missed a practice this week due to a snowstorm in the area. However, Lions head coach Dan Campbell isn’t concerned about the disruption.
“I don’t put anything into that,” Campbell said on Friday, December 13, when speaking with the press. “I mean, I think one week during COVID, we didn’t even practice at New Orleans and still went out and scored 30 points. I don’t know what that was, but no, I put nothing into that. That team will be ready. So, all good.”
The Bills were forced to cancel practice and instead held virtual meetings on Thursday, December 13, due to a travel ban in the area. Orchard Park, where the Bills practice, received around 30 inches of snow in some areas.