The Dan Campbell era of Detroit Lions football begins with a close preseason loss. Detroit fell at home, 16-15, to the Buffalo Bills in a game that featured two lead changes in the final two minutes.
The Lions scored on three consecutive drives in the fourth quarter after struggling mightily to move the ball in the first three stanzas. Detroit’s defense also played better in the second half, holding the Bills to only the final field goal and just four first downs on four drives to start the half.
David Blough led a solid scoring drive to set up a go-ahead field goal from Randy Bullock, who nailed the kick to give the Lions a 15-13 lead with under two minutes to play. Undrafted rookie Javon McKinley had a great catch-and-run on the drive.
The Bills had just enough time to rally behind fourth-string QB Jake Fromm. Campbell attempted to ice Bills kicker Tyler Bass with a timeout after the Detroit defense tightened. Bass nailed the kick to provide the final margin, cemented when David Blough was sacked on the Lions’ last gasp in the waning seconds.
Detroit’s starters played two series on both sides of the ball, which is more than we saw from Buffalo. The Bills rested several key starters, notably QB Josh Allen and WR Stefon Diggs.
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