playJudy BattistaMultiple AuthorsSep 18, 2026, 01:19 AM ETOpen Extended ReactionsThe Buffalo Bills threw a heck of a housewarming party for their new Highmark Stadium on Thursday, launching fireworks to open the night and then piling up points in a 41-31 victory over the Detroit Lions that felt more dominant than the final score indicated.The Bills are now 2-0, making Joe Brady the first coach in franchise history to win his first two games.Brady said he felt little emotion during the festivities — that was on purpose; he wanted his players to remain composed, too — but that wasn’t the case for everyone else in Orchard Park, New York.Fans spent hours tailgating before the game and erupted when Hall of Famer Bruce Smith led them in a “Let’s go, Buffalo” chant.BRUUUUCEEEE!!!@SenecaCasinos | #BillsMafia pic.twitter.com\/7uMYHNcbef\u2014 Buffalo Bills (@BuffaloBills) September 18, 2026 Josh Allen said he got emotional during the national anthem, thinking about how lucky he is to play in Buffalo.”To be the first quarterback to open this stadium, it’s a special spot,” Allen said.The 60,000-plus fans there for the stadium christening roared as Allen accounted for five touchdowns (three passing, two rushing), with the first chants of “M-V-P” echoing in the din.Allen scored the night’s first TD on a 1-yard run, then found a wide-open Joshua Palmer on a 43-yard bomb for the next. Each time, the sound was so loud it felt like a roof would have blown off — had their been one on the new, $2.1 billion building.It was part of a nightlong party, aided by the Bills’ dominant performance. Their 41 points were the most in a team’s home stadium debut since the Dolphins scored 42 at Joe Robbie Stadium in 1987, per Elias Sports Bureau.”I don’t really get starstruck, but there were a few times I looked up and I thought, ‘Oh, s—,'” defensive tackle Deone Walker said of the atmosphere.Entering the game, Brady said he didn’t want his team to put on a show for the stadium opener; he wanted it to put on a clinic. The Bills did that, and that fueled the festive atmosphere.They raced out to a 21-0 lead and never let the Lions draw too close.<\/p>\n
With every Allen pass and James Cook run, the fans screamed. If there had been concern that the luxury of a new stadium might quiet one of the NFL’s most overwhelming home field advantages, that is probably no longer a worry.The old stadium is now in ruins across the street, but the successes of recent seasons have transferred over, along with the late-game singalong of “Mr. Brightside” and the cacophony that has cowed so many opponents.In the end, even Brady was a little wowed.”That place was electric,” he said.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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