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Final Score: Lions 23 – Bills 0**
Location: Ralph Wilson Stadium, Orchard Park, NY
Preseason records: Buffalo (1-4); Detroit (3-1)
**woods
In a Nutshell:
**The Bills first team offense struggled to move the ball gaining 58 yards on their three series. They also lost WR Sammy Watkins to a rib injury.
Detroit scored the first 23 points of the game with 17 coming in the first half. All the points were scored after Buffalo's starting defenders exited the game.
The Bills defense was again pretty strong against the run allowing just 2.9 yards per carry to the Lions in the first half. Buffalo's third down defense was also solid allowing just a single conversion on six attempts through the first two quarters.
Jordan Palmer struggled as the backup quarterback after just two days with the club as he was unable to mount any scoring drives.
How it went down:
--After a scoreless first quarter, the Lions got on the board first with a Nate Frees 53-yard field goal less than a minute into the second quarter (3-0).
--The Lions then made the most of a Jordan Palmer interception when Kellen Moore found Jeremy Ross for a one-yard touchdown pass and a 10-0 lead with less than six minutes left in the first half.
--With nine seconds left before the break Moore threw his second touchdown pass to Corey Fuller for 25 yards (17-0).
--Nate Frees hit his second 53-yard field goal late in the third quarter to push Detroit's lead to 20-0.
--Buffalo saw their second turnover result in points for the Lions early in the fourth quarter when the Lions put another field goal drive together for a 23-0 edge.
Stat lines
--EJ Manuel's passing day was brief. He went 3-for-7 passing for 56 yards. He was sacked twice.
--Buffalo's defense was effective early against the Detroit run game. In the first half the Lions managed just 20 yards on seven carries (2.9).
--The Bills committed 10 penalties for 70 yards. Eight were committed in the first half. That total exceeded the seven the team committed in the first half the previous week against Tampa Bay.
--Jordan Palmer after being signed just two days prior to the game struggled to execute. He played the entire game after EJ Manuel exited and went 9-20 passing for 73 yards and three interceptions.
Subplots:
--Preston Brown started the game at weak side linebacker in place of Nigel Bradham. It appears as though he will be the starter in Week 1 at Chicago at that position while Bradham serves a one game league-imposed suspension.
--The Bills lost Sammy Watkins to injury in the first half. It happened on the second series for the offense, when Detroit LB Ashlee Palmer hit him hard on a quick slant route. Watkins left the game with a rib injury and was declared out for the game before the first half concluded.
--Rookie fifth-round pick Cyril Richardson started at left guard in place of Chris Williams, who missed the last three preseason games with a back injury.
--Recently signed kickoff specialist Jordan Gay attempted one kickoff, which he was only able to get to the goal line. It was returned. He also had a 33-yard punt that was fair caught.
Inactives:
CB Corey Graham, CB Stephon Gilmore, CB Mario Butler, S Jonathan Meeks, CB Bobby Felder, G Chris Williams, TE Tony Moeaki, TE Scott Chandler, TE Lee Smith.
Up Next:
The Bills will open the season on the road in Chicago to face the Bears on Sept. 7th at 1 pm.
