The Buffalo Bills kicked off their new stadium with a 41-31 win over the Detroit Lions. This marked the first game at Highmark Stadium, a state-of-the-art facility built next to their previous home at a cost of $2.2 billion (£1.6 billion). The Bills, who had already defeated the Houston Texans 36-31 in their season opener, dominated early, scoring six touchdowns in total. Quarterback Josh Allen was a key player, throwing for three touchdowns and rushing for two more. The Bills took a commanding 21-0 lead in the early stages of the game. Allen opened the scoring with a touchdown run, then connected with wide receiver Joshua Palmer for a 43-yard touchdown. Tight end Dawson Knox added another score early in the second quarter, extending Buffalo’s lead. The Lions fought back with a touchdown from quarterback Jared Goff to running back Jahmyr Gibbs, who is the NFL’s highest-paid running back. Gibbs had signed a lucrative contract during the off-season. The Bills responded with a touchdown from tight end Dalton Kincaid, maintaining their advantage through the second half. Detroit, which had previously beaten the New Orleans Saints in overtime, tried to close the gap with touchdowns from Amon-Ra St. Brown and Sam LaPorta. However, Allen and running back James Cook both scored for the Bills, keeping the Lions from cutting the deficit to less than 10 points. Allen, who was named the NFL’s Most Valuable Player for the 2024 season, played a crucial role in securing the win. Before the game, both the American and Canadian national anthems were played at Highmark Stadium, which is located near the U.S.-Canada border. The Canadian anthem was performed by the band Barenaked Ladies. The Bills chose to honor their Canadian fans amid recent tensions between the two countries. This gesture highlighted the team’s efforts to maintain a positive relationship with their neighbors to the north.