Detroit Lions vs. Buffalo Bills: Preview, Start Time, TV, Live Steam

Matchup: Detroit Lions vs. Buffalo Bills

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When: October 5th, 1:00 pm/ET

Where: Ford Field – Detroit, Michigan

TV: FOX (Channel 2 in Metro Detroit)

Radio: WXYT-FM (97.1)

For the Detroit Lions injury report (click here)

The Detroit Lions (3-1) will play host to the Buffalo Bills (2-2) on Sunday, October 5 at Ford Field in downtown Detroit, Michigan. The match-up features the return of former Detroit Lions head coach, Jim Schwartz to the motor city. Schwartz returned to the defensive coordinator role following his termination from the Lions after the 2013 season.

While it is uncertain exactly what kind reaction Schwartz will receive during his home coming, general consensus is that it won’t be a warm welcome.

Detroit Lions Keys to the Game

When the Detroit Lions face off with the Buffalo Bills on Sunday, the offense lead by quarterback Matthew Stafford will face a Bills defense that is ranked second in the NFL against the run.

Credit: Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports

Buffalo allows an average of 2.89 per carry. Primary reason for this can be attributed to the style of defense that coach Schwartz utilizes. Very similar to the blitz percentage that the Lions had while under Jim Schwartz, the Bills blitz 22.7 percent of the time and the defensive line is the strength of their unit. Furthermore, it is not uncommon for the Bills to play with eight guys in the box.

On the other side of the ball, the Detroit Lions offense gains 76 percent of its yardage through the air. With running backs Joique Bell and Theo Riddick both sidelined this week with injuries, look for Stafford and the Lions to take to the air against a very stout Buffalo run defense.

Pro Bowl wide receiver, Calvin Johnson is expected to play on Sunday, however to what extent his role will be is unknown. Last week he was primarily used as a decoy as Detroit attempted to let Megatron rest his ailing ankle.

Calvin Johnson said he's feeling "definitely better than at this time last week"
— Dave Birkett (@davebirkett) October 1, 2014

I expect Johnson to have somewhat of a limited role again this week. I also expect the Lions offense to be centered around running back Reggie Bush and wide receiver Golden Tate. The Bills may be able to load the box and stop the run on the inside, but I believe that they lack the speed necessary to contain Bush on the outside. Watch out for off-tackle runs and some screen passes to get Bush to the corner .

The underneath routes to Tate should also be effective.

Detroit Lions defense quietly making noise

The Detroit Lions defense has played phenomenal so far in 2014 and the main cause behind the great play is the game planning of defensive coordinator, Teryl Austin.