Bills set to open new stadium hosting the Lions in a prime-time matchup

The Buffalo Bills and Detroit Lions are set to face off in a prime-time matchup at their new stadium in Orchard Park, New York, on Thursday night. The $2.1 billion Highmark Stadium, which opened less than a month ago, has already become a focal point for anticipation. Both teams have been practicing at the new facility, with Buffalo's Josh Allen declining to overstate the excitement surrounding the big game.

The Lions, coached by Dan Campbell, will be playing in a raucous environment, with the stadium's vertical seating arrangement and powerful crowd noise designed to leave a lasting impact. Lions coach Campbell urged his players to enjoy the moment, making it a "christening" of sorts.

The Bills, led by first-year head coach Joe Brady, are looking to start their season with a win against their cross-state rivals. The game will feature a number of musical acts, including a halftime performance by OneRepublic. The matchup is notable for the Bills' strong run defense, which has been a concern for the Lions. Buffalo's defense has allowed 150 or more rushing yards only seven times this season, while Detroit has combined for 1,080 yards and 90 points in their last meeting, which ended in a tie.

Key players to watch in the game include Detroit's Jahmyr Gibbs and Amon-Ra St. Brown, who have scored in the same game 21 times, and Buffalo's Aidan Hutchinson, who is coming off his 10th multi-sack game of the season. With both teams starting their campaigns with a win, this prime-time showdown promises to be an exciting start to the NFL season.