The Buffalo Bills offense has been doing whatever it wants at Ford Field as they put 38 points on the board. The defense, however, has looked like they were on a roller coaster – making huge stops and then giving up big plays. As the Bills looked to be struggling to find a winning combination of active players as they started the game without three starters in their defensive backfield, they lost another one early in the fourth quarter.

As the Bills defense was backing up way too fast, Buffalo announced that linebacker Matt Milano was questionable to return with a groin injury.

This came just moments after rookie Cole Bishop, getting the start in place of Damar Hamlin who is sidelined with a neck injury, had to be carted to the locker room to be administered fluids via IV.

The absence of Milano, who had a fumble recovery earlier, was huge as Dorian Williams exited the game in the second quarter with an elbow injury. The Lions were quick to take advantage of the fact that the Bills were forced to put Baylon Spector, who was just activated from Injured Reserve yesterday, in for Milano and Kareem Jackson, who was elevated from the practice squad for Week 15, in for Bishop. The result: a Jared Goff touchdown pass to running back Jahmyr Gibbs to make it 38-28 Buffalo.

However, after the Bills scored quickly after a failed onsides kick by Detroit to make it 45-28, the Lions went right back to attacking the space previously occupied by Milano in the Bills’ defense. It took less than four minutes for Detroit to narrow the margin to 10 points with eight left to play.