Quick answer
- Winner
- Buffalo Bills
- Final score
- Buffalo Bills 14–13 Detroit Lions
- Halftime
- Detroit Lions 13–7 Buffalo Bills at halftime
- FantasyHQ MVP
- K. Golladay
- Top passer
- Jonathan Allen
- Biggest EPA play
- (10:35) (Shotgun) 17-J.Allen pass deep right to 16-R.Foster for 42 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Caugh…
- Game date
- 2018-12-16
Game summary
The Buffalo Bills beat the Detroit Lions 14–13 on 2018-12-16, overcoming Detroit Lions's 13–7 halftime lead. K. Golladay posted a game-high +12.04 total EPA in the receiving.
The highest-scoring period was Q2 with 20 combined points.
Line score
Final score and points by quarter.
| Q2 | Q4 | — | — | — | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Detroit Lions | 13 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 13 |
 Buffalo Bills | 7 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 14 |
Scoring Map
Each pin marks where a score occurred on the field — yard line from play-by-play.
DETDetroit Lions
(10:50) (Shotgun) 9-M.Stafford pass short right to 17-A.Jones for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Caught 8 yds. into end zone, sliding from rear corner of end zone.
(8:05) (Shotgun) 17-J.Allen scrambles right end for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
4-S.Hauschka extra point is GOOD, Center-69-R.Ferguson, Holder-8-M.Darr.
(3:50) 34-Z.Zenner up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
5-M.Prater extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-6-S.Martin.
(10:35) (Shotgun) 17-J.Allen pass deep right to 16-R.Foster for 42 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Caught near sideline at DET 12.
4-S.Hauschka extra point is GOOD, Center-69-R.Ferguson, Holder-8-M.Darr.
BUFBuffalo BillsFantasyHQ Analytics
Scoring timeline
Chronological scoring plays — scroll to follow the game.
- DETDetroit Lions
Q2 10:50TD Andre Jones Jr.Points+6
- Yard line
- BUF 4
- Score
- 6-0
(10:50) (Shotgun) 9-M.Stafford pass short right to 17-A.Jones for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Caught 8 yds. into end zone, sliding from rear corner of end zone.
- BUFBuffalo Bills
Q2 8:05TD Jonathan AllenPoints+6
- Yard line
- DET 3
- Score
- 6-6
(8:05) (Shotgun) 17-J.Allen scrambles right end for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- BUFBuffalo Bills
Q2 7:55XP SHS. HauschkaPoints+1
- Yard line
- DET 15
- Score
- 6-7
4-S.Hauschka extra point is GOOD, Center-69-R.Ferguson, Holder-8-M.Darr.
- DETDetroit Lions
Q2 3:50TD ZZZ. ZennerPoints+6
- Yard line
- BUF 1
- Score
- 12-7
(3:50) 34-Z.Zenner up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
- DETDetroit Lions
Q2 3:46XP Points+1
- Yard line
- BUF 15
- Score
- 13-7
5-M.Prater extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-6-S.Martin.
- BUFBuffalo Bills
Q4 10:35TD RFR. FosterPoints+6
- Yard line
- DET 42
- Score
- 13-13
(10:35) (Shotgun) 17-J.Allen pass deep right to 16-R.Foster for 42 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Caught near sideline at DET 12.
- BUFBuffalo Bills
Q4 10:26XP SHS. HauschkaPoints+1
- Yard line
- DET 15
- Score
- 13-14
4-S.Hauschka extra point is GOOD, Center-69-R.Ferguson, Holder-8-M.Darr.
Stars of the game
Top performers by total expected points added (EPA).
- 1K. Golladay · Detroit Lions · Receiving · +12.04 total EPA · 8 snaps · +1.51 EPA/play
- 2R. Foster · Buffalo Bills · Receiving · +8.45 total EPA · 5 snaps · +1.69 EPA/play
- 3Jonathan Allen · Buffalo Bills · Passing · +5.89 total EPA · 33 snaps · +0.18 EPA/play
- 4
Matthew Stafford · Detroit Lions · Passing · +3.71 total EPA · 31 snaps · +0.12 EPA/play - 5Z. Zenner · Detroit Lions · Rushing · +2.97 total EPA · 10 snaps · +0.30 EPA/play
- 6Andre Jones Jr. · Detroit Lions · Receiving · +2.59 total EPA · 2 snaps · +1.30 EPA/play
- 7Isaiah McKenzie · Buffalo Bills · Receiving · +2.54 total EPA · 7 snaps · +0.36 EPA/play
- 8J. Croom · Buffalo Bills · Receiving · +1.47 total EPA · 1 snaps · +1.47 EPA/play
FantasyHQ Game MVP
Highest total EPA with the player's top snap and the game's biggest single play when different.
FantasyHQ Game MVP
K. Golladay — DET · Receiving
K. Golladay posted the highest total EPA (+12.04) in the game, the strongest overall impact for Detroit Lions. Across 8 counted snaps, they averaged +1.51 EPA per play.
K. Golladay's top snap (+3.35 EPA): (5:31) (Shotgun) 9-M.Stafford pass deep right to 19-K.Golladay to BUF 10 for 40 yards (23-M.Hyde). Caught along sideline, in coverage, at BUF 15.
Biggest single play (+4.15 EPA): Jonathan Allen — (10:35) (Shotgun) 17-J.Allen pass deep right to 16-R.Foster for 42 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Caught near sideline at DET 12.
Quarterback report card
Jonathan Allen led all passers in efficiency for Buffalo Bills, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.
- Jonathan Allen (Buffalo Bills) · 33 dropbacks · 39.4% completion · -1.2% CPOE · +0.18 EPA/play · +5.89 total EPA
- Matthew Stafford (Detroit Lions) · 31 dropbacks · 71.0% completion · +11.4% CPOE · +0.12 EPA/play · +3.71 total EPA
Team stats comparison
Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency.
| Stat | Detroit Lions | Buffalo Bills |
|---|---|---|
| Offensive EPA/play | -0.025 | -0.024 |
| Offensive success rate | 37.8% | 41.2% |
| Pass EPA/play | +0.086 | +0.178 |
| Rush EPA/play | +0.024 | -0.065 |
| Defensive EPA/play | +0.024 | +0.025 |
| Defensive success rate | 58.8% | 62.2% |
Drive & efficiency notes
Both offenses finished within striking distance on EPA per play (Detroit Lions -0.03, Buffalo Bills -0.02) — a true toss-up on the analytics sheet.
Season benchmark context (offensive EPA per play):
- Detroit Lions: -0.03 EPA/play (44th percentile vs. 2018 team-game averages)
- Buffalo Bills: -0.02 EPA/play (45th percentile vs. 2018 team-game averages)
- Buffalo Bills: 11 drives, -1.92 total EPA, 2 scoring drives
- Detroit Lions: 10 drives, -1.81 total EPA, 2 scoring drives
Who scored touchdowns and field goals
Every touchdown and field goal from official play-by-play.
Touchdowns
- Detroit Lions — Andre Jones Jr. (Matthew Stafford pass)
- Buffalo Bills — Jonathan Allen
- Detroit Lions — Z. Zenner
- Buffalo Bills — R. Foster (Jonathan Allen pass)
Quarter by quarter
Quarter-by-quarter recap from live scoring plays.
The second quarter: Detroit Lions won the period 13–7. Detroit Lions found the end zone from the BUF 4 (Q2 10:50); Buffalo Bills found the end zone from the DET 3 (Q2 8:05) — (8:05) (Shotgun) 17-J.Allen scrambles right end for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Buffalo Bills added 1 points from the DET 15 (Q2 7:55) — 4-S.Hauschka extra point is GOOD, Center-69-R.Ferguson, Holder-8-M.Darr.; Detroit Lions found the end zone from the BUF 1 (Q2 3:50) — (3:50) 34-Z.Zenner up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Detroit Lions added 1 points from the BUF 15 (Q2 3:46) — 5-M.Prater extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-6-S.Martin..
The fourth quarter: Buffalo Bills won the period 7–0. Buffalo Bills found the end zone from the DET 42 (Q4 10:35) — (10:35) (Shotgun) 17-J.Allen pass deep right to 16-R.Foster for 42 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Caught near sideline at DET 12.; Buffalo Bills added 1 points from the DET 15 (Q4 10:26) — 4-S.Hauschka extra point is GOOD, Center-69-R.Ferguson, Holder-8-M.Darr..
Turning points
Plays that moved win probability the most.
- Buffalo Bills (Q2 0:04) — (:04) (Shotgun) 35-K.Ford up the middle to BUF 30 for 5 yards (28-Q.Diggs).
- Buffalo Bills (Q2) — End of half - 2.18 pm
- Buffalo Bills (Q4 10:35) — (10:35) (Shotgun) 17-J.Allen pass deep right to 16-R.Foster for 42 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Caught near sideline at DET 12.
- Detroit Lions (Q4 5:55) — (5:55) 5-M.Prater 48 yard field goal is No Good, Wide Right, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-6-S.Martin.
- Detroit Lions (Q2 5:31) — (5:31) (Shotgun) 9-M.Stafford pass deep right to 19-K.Golladay to BUF 10 for 40 yards (23-M.Hyde). Caught along sideline, in coverage, at BUF 15.
Impact plays
Highest EPA snaps that flipped field position.
- Buffalo Bills (Q4 10:35) — (10:35) (Shotgun) 17-J.Allen pass deep right to 16-R.Foster for 42 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Caught near sideline at DET 12.
- Detroit Lions (Q4 5:55) — (5:55) 5-M.Prater 48 yard field goal is No Good, Wide Right, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-6-S.Martin.
- Detroit Lions (Q2 5:31) — (5:31) (Shotgun) 9-M.Stafford pass deep right to 19-K.Golladay to BUF 10 for 40 yards (23-M.Hyde). Caught along sideline, in coverage, at BUF 15.
- Buffalo Bills (Q2 8:57) — (8:57) 17-J.Allen pass incomplete deep left to 16-R.Foster. Flag route, receiver at DET 4. Penalty on DET-23-D.Slay, Defensive Holding, declined. PENALTY on DET-38-M.Ford, Defensive Pass Interference,
Every scoring play
Chronological scoring with play-by-play context.
- Detroit Lions TD (+6) — Q2 10:50 · BUF 4 · Score 6-0
(10:50) (Shotgun) 9-M.Stafford pass short right to 17-A.Jones for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Caught 8 yds. into end zone, sliding from rear corner of end zone. - Buffalo Bills TD (+6) — Q2 8:05 · DET 3 · Score 6-6
(8:05) (Shotgun) 17-J.Allen scrambles right end for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Buffalo Bills XP (+1) — Q2 7:55 · DET 15 · Score 6-7
4-S.Hauschka extra point is GOOD, Center-69-R.Ferguson, Holder-8-M.Darr. - Detroit Lions TD (+6) — Q2 3:50 · BUF 1 · Score 12-7
(3:50) 34-Z.Zenner up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN. - Detroit Lions XP (+1) — Q2 3:46 · BUF 15 · Score 13-7
5-M.Prater extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-6-S.Martin. - Buffalo Bills TD (+6) — Q4 10:35 · DET 42 · Score 13-13
(10:35) (Shotgun) 17-J.Allen pass deep right to 16-R.Foster for 42 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Caught near sideline at DET 12. - Buffalo Bills XP (+1) — Q4 10:26 · DET 15 · Score 13-14
4-S.Hauschka extra point is GOOD, Center-69-R.Ferguson, Holder-8-M.Darr.
Key takeaways
What to remember for fantasy research and follow-up box score digging.
- Buffalo Bills earned the result — use the box score for snap-level context.
- One-score margin — verify garbage-time stats before drawing fantasy conclusions.
- K. Golladay (Detroit Lions) led total EPA — start here for highlight and prop research.
- Matthew Stafford (DET) finished above expected through the air (positive CPOE).
Frequently asked questions
Who won Detroit Lions vs Buffalo Bills on 2018-12-16?
The Buffalo Bills beat the Detroit Lions 14-13 in Week 15, 2018.
What was the score by quarter in Detroit Lions vs Buffalo Bills?
Q2: Detroit Lions 13, Buffalo Bills 7; Q4: Detroit Lions 0, Buffalo Bills 7; Final: Detroit Lions 13, Buffalo Bills 14.
Who scored touchdowns and field goals in Detroit Lions vs Buffalo Bills?
Detroit Lions touchdown — A. Jones (M. Stafford pass) (Q2 10:50) Buffalo Bills touchdown — J. Allen (Q2 8:05) Detroit Lions touchdown — Z. Zenner (Q2 3:50) Buffalo Bills touchdown — R. Foster (J. Allen pass) (Q4 10:35) Extra points followed each touchdown unless noted in the play-by-play.
How did the quarterbacks play in Detroit Lions vs Buffalo Bills?
Jonathan Allen (Buffalo Bills), 39.4% completion, -1.2% CPOE, +0.18 EPA per dropback, +5.89 total passing EPA. Matthew Stafford (Detroit Lions), 71.0% completion, +11.4% CPOE, +0.12 EPA per dropback, +3.71 total passing EPA.
Who was FantasyHQ's player of the game in Detroit Lions vs Buffalo Bills?
K. Golladay (Detroit Lions) was FantasyHQ's Game MVP with +12.04 total EPA on Receiving plays. across 8 snaps. Their top snap (+3.35 EPA): (5:31) (Shotgun) 9-M.Stafford pass deep right to 19-K.Golladay to BUF 10 for 40 yards (23-M.Hyde). Caught along sideline, in coverage, at BUF 15..
Was Detroit Lions vs Buffalo Bills a close game?
Yes — the margin was 1 points. Buffalo Bills won 14-13 in a game that came down to the wire.
Season records after this game
Detroit Lions
Entered 5-8 Now 5-9 L
Buffalo Bills
Entered 4-9 Now 5-9 W
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