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DETROIT — The Buffalo Payments would possibly need to play on Thanksgiving each season. They improved to 3-0 in Thanksgiving video games over the previous 4 seasons, the most recent a 28-25 thriller over the Detroit Lions.
After the Lions tied the sport late, the Payments took over with 23 seconds left. Quarterback Josh Allen lead a four-play, 48-yard drive to arrange kicker Tyler Bass for a 45-yard game-winning subject purpose with simply seconds left.
They Lions have not gained on Thanksgiving since 2016 and have simply six victories on the vacation since 2000.
The Payments’ win was overshadowed by a knee damage to pass-rusher Von Miller, who didn’t return after getting injured within the first half.
Buffalo Payments
After Allen and extensive receiver Stefon Diggs struggled to attach for a lot of the sport, the pair acquired on the identical web page when the crew wanted them most.
For the primary eight drives of the sport, Diggs caught three of 9 targets for simply 12 yards. Allen’s lone interception within the recreation additionally got here when focusing on Diggs. However on the ultimate two drives, Allen and Diggs related on all 5 targets for 65 yards and a rating. Allen completed the sport 24-of-42 for 253 yards with two passing touchdowns and one other one dashing.
With the win, the Payments went towards their very own latest historical past. The crew was 1-9 when trailing within the fourth quarter during the last two seasons.
Describe the sport in two phrases: Harm impression. The Payments got here into the sport with out middle Mitch Morse and misplaced left deal with Dion Dawkins (ankle) and allowed 15 pressures on Allen, whereas Miller left the sport, and the protection gave up a primary half lead with the losses of these key linemen enjoying an enormous function for the Payments.
Purchase on a breakout efficiency: Sure, defensive deal with Ed Oliver broke out a very long time in the past, however this was his finest efficiency of the season by far when the Payments wanted it because of accidents on the defensive position. Oliver compelled a fumble, recovered a fumble, sacked quarterback Jared Goff for a security and had two tackles for loss. His fifth-year possibility for subsequent yr was already picked up, and Oliver continues to point out why he is a key a part of this protection.
Troubling pattern: Allen is throwing too many purple zone interceptions. He has now thrown a purple zone interception in 4 of the final 5 video games and leads the league with 4 purple zone picks. Previous to this stretch, he had thrown two in his profession (first 67 video games). No quarterback has thrown that many in a whole season since 2019 (Mitch Trubisky and Sam Darnold every had 4. The pattern began earlier than Allen’s proper elbow damage, however both method, he has to discover a technique to be extra cautious with the soccer. — Alaina Getzenberg
Underrated statistic to know: Josh Allen now has 23 profession video games with a passing landing and a dashing TD, tied for the fifth most in NFL historical past.
Subsequent recreation: at Patriots (8:15 p.m. ET, Dec. 1)
Detroit Lions
Detroit entered as 9.5-point underdogs.The Lions had been on the verge of snapping their five-game shedding streak on Thanksgiving, however regardless of going toe-to-toe with Buffalo — one of many league’s finest groups — they could not get a essential cease on the finish of the sport.
Purchase on a breakout efficiency: Have the Detroit Lions discovered one other hidden gem in James Houston? The rookie linebacker was elevated from the apply squad the day forward of the sport and positively made essentially the most of his alternative with two sacks and a fumble restoration. He turned the primary participant in crew historical past to report a multi-sack recreation of their NFL debut. Forward of the sport, linebackers coach Kelvin Sheppard mentioned there would “be a spot for James Houston right here sooner or later,” as soon as he was in a position to grasp the crew’s schematic idea, because of his work ethic, so I am shopping for this breakout efficiency they usually’ll discover a place for him on the lively listing..
Daring prediction for subsequent week: The Lions will activate rookie receiver Jameson Williams forward of subsequent dwelling recreation towards Jacksonville. Williams, the twelfth total decide of the 2022 draft, was working routes at Ford Discipline forward of the sport and if every little thing goes as deliberate all through this week at apply, he could possibly be able to make his NFL debut subsequent week. Williams reported to apply for the primary time forward of the Buffalo recreation, however the crew did not do a lot throughout a brief week. The Alabama product informed reporters that he is “actual, actual, actual excited to place my cleats on and be capable of put a jersey on” and I am predicting he performs. — Eric Woodyard
Underrated statistic to know: Because the begin of final season (since getting Jared Goff) the Lions are 4-10 when scoring first — as they did on Thursday — that is the worst mark within the NFL over that span..
Subsequent recreation: vs. Jaguars (1 p.m. ET, Dec. 4)
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