Detroit Lions fall to Buffalo Bills 41-31, raise Super Bowl doubts

The Detroit Lions lost to the Buffalo Bills 41-31 in Orchard Park, New York, on September 17, 2026. After falling behind 27-10 at halftime, Detroit managed to close the gap to 27-17 in the third quarter but could not secure a comeback. The defeat has led analysts like Dave Portnoy and Ryan Clark to question whether the Lions' Super Bowl window has closed after a promising two-year stretch. With the departure of offensive coordinator Ben Johnson contributing to recent struggles, fan sentiment reflects growing frustration as expectations from previous seasons slip away. The Lions, now at 1-1, must regroup as they face mounting criticism ahead of their next game.

• 3:58 AMYahoo Sports — ‘Has Any Window Shut Faster?’ ‘Should’ve Paid Ben Johnson $1 Billion’ — Dave Portnoy, Ryan Clark, and Co. Declare Lions’ Super Bowl Window ‘SLAMMED SHUT’