Bills v Lions preview: My worry for Buffalo in potential Super Bowl rehearsal at Detroit – Phoebe Schecter column
Since joining the Lions in 2023, Jameer Gibbs and David Montgomery have become the first pair of running backs in NFL history to score more than 10 rushing touchdowns in consecutive seasons. During those seasons, they each gained over 1,000 yards and earned new nicknames – Sonic and Knuckles, named after Sega’s famous hedgehog.
These are two different styles of back views. Gibbs’ burst is so quick that he can stretch your defense laterally. Montgomery then goes straight to the line, has great balance in contact, hits his opponent and keeps pushing his feet.
This combination is physically taxing on the defense because you have to constantly adjust to the speed and size of the backs in front of you — and it’s interesting to see how they relate to quarterback Jared Goff.
The Lions offensive line gave Goff a lot of time. This allows him to make clean decisions and protect the ball. He’s a phenomenal leader, and he’s joined by a smart and reliable receiver in Amon-La St. Brown.
The Lions have had a few close games, but they’re finding different ways to win, a toughness that makes you think Sunday’s game against the Buffalo Bills could be a preview of the Super Bowl.
The Bills had their injuries, but they had a strong offensive line for a while, they just didn’t have the weapons, so one of the best things they did was trade Amari Cooper. They need a No. 1 receiver with reliable hands.
James Cook scored 11 rushing touchdowns, receiver Khalil Shakir stepped up and running back Ray Davis became a An excellent addition.
They are taking pressure off quarterback Josh Allen. He’s always felt he needed to put the team on his back, and now they, like the Lions, have an “everyone eats” mentality.
No matter who gets the ball, they’re excited for each other and they know success comes from a team perspective.
Allen is protecting the ball — five interceptions is a big improvement from recent years — and he doesn’t feel like he has to make those wow plays. But he can still accomplish those goals, as we’ve seen over the past two weeks, such as the “lateral lake effect” in the snow game against San Francisco.
