The Detroit Lions have been stringing together wins despite dealing with numerous injuries, a testament to their resilience. As they prepare to face the Buffalo Bills on Sunday, November 15, the team is making moves to bolster their lineup, though some weaknesses remain.
One area in particular is proving to be a significant challenge, but the Lions hope to overcome it and secure a win over the Bills.
Lions Struggling at Linebacker Position
The Lions are notably short-handed at linebacker heading into their clash with the Bills. Several key players, including Alex Anzalone, Derrick Barnes, Malcolm Rodriguez, and Jalen Reeves-Maybin, are on injured reserve. Additionally, Trevor Nowaske entered concussion protocol this week and has been ruled out for Sunday.
In response, the Lions have worked to fill the void by elevating two players: Abraham Beauplan and Jamal Adams. On Saturday, both were promoted to support the linebacker group.
Adams, a veteran, joined the active roster last week after signing to the practice squad two weeks ago to help address injuries. Meanwhile, Beauplan has alternated between the practice squad and the main roster all season. The Bills game will mark his third appearance with the team, following special teams roles in Weeks 9 and 10.
For Sunday, the Lions will rely on Kwon Alexander, Jack Campbell, David Long Jr., Ezekiel Turner, Ben Niemann, Adams, and Beauplan at linebacker. While the team could certainly use Anzalone, Rodriguez, and others, they must make do with the available roster.
Lions vs. Bills Could Be Less Thrilling Than Expected
Though many fans are eagerly awaiting Sunday’s game, expecting a high-scoring showdown, it may end up being the opposite. Hamza Baccouche, special teams expert at Pride of Detroit, predicts a “low-scoring slugfest” instead.
Both teams boast strong defenses, which could limit scoring opportunities. The Bills’ pass defense ranks 11th and their run defense 8th in the NFL in DVOA, while the Lions rank first in pass defense and 6th in run defense, an impressive feat given their injury challenges.
Beyond defense, Baccouche believes the Bills might experience a “hangover effect.”
“After putting up 42 points last week, it’s tempting to assume the Bills will do the same to the Lions,” Baccouche said in a December 14 feature. “But often, the opposite happens.”
He explained that Buffalo gave maximum effort in a thrilling but ultimately disappointing game last week, making it tough to replicate that intensity. Meanwhile, the Lions are coming off a close win with extra rest and returning players.
The Bills’ experts predict a narrow victory for Buffalo, with Chris Jenkins, senior director of content, forecasting a 28-24 win. However, the outcome remains uncertain.
