Buffalo Bills: Latest injury news and odds for Week 15

A review of the latest injury news and game odds for the Buffalo Bills, as they prepare to face the Detroit Lions at New Era Field on Sunday afternoon.

Sometimes you just have to hold you hands up in despair. And that’s even when you’re not a Buffalo Bills fan.

Earlier this season, we gave the Bills no chance of winning in Minnesota against the Vikings. (In our defense though, this was the case with most people.) They duly obliged by pulling off a stunning 27-6 victory, despite being the third-biggest underdogs in NFL history.

Similarly, we predicted there was no way the Bill could lose last weekend at home, against a New York Jets team they dominated 41-10 just a few weeks earlier. So of course, the Jets came back in the fourth quarter to pull out a surprising 27-23 win.

This is our way of saying we give up trying to predict the outcome of games involving the Bills in 2018. However, don’t worry; we’re still going to offer our usually weekly review of the upcoming contest.

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In a game between two teams with poor records, the Bills have the slight edge; as per Odds Shark, the Lions are -2.5 underdogs. Interestingly though, the average predicted scoreline has the Bills winning more handily, 28.4-12.9.

Turning to the all-time series, games between the two sides date back to 1972. However, due to being in different conferences all that time, they have only faced each other 10 times. (There was even a 12-year stretch where they didn’t play at all, between 1979 and 1991.)

The Bills lead the all-time series 5-4-1. In Buffalo specifically, they have won the last three times and have an overall 3-1-1 record at home against the Lions.

The last time the teams met was in October 2014, in Detroit. The Bills managed to come away with a comeback 17-14 win, after trailing 14-0 in the second quarter.

Turning to the Week 15 injury report, there is no arguing that LeSean McCoy is the main standout. McCoy left last weekend’s Jets game after just two carries, due to a hamstring injury.

The six-time Pro Bowler has been dealing with the issue all week, which has limited his participation in practice. As a result, he is listed as questionable to face the Lions.

Given McCoy’s situation, Chris Ivory‘s status becomes that much more important for the running game. He is also listed as questionable with a shoulder injury, although it’s worth noting he was a full participant all week in practice.

Derek Anderson has missed the last five games due to a concussion. He’s ready to suit up on Sunday, but won’t see the field, due to being the third-string option at quarterback.

Looking at the tight end situation, Logan Thomas is listed as questionable due to a hamstring issue. However, Jason Croom has overcome his groin injury to be a full participant in practice this week and has been cleared to play on Sunday.

There is only one defensive player on this week’s injury report, in cornerback Ryan Lewis. He has been officially ruled out after missing practice all week, due to going through concussion protocol.

The final player on this week’s injury report is kicker Stephen Hauschka, who has been extremely efficient all season. Officially speaking, he is questionable with a right hip injury, but the word is he has already been ruled out.

Overall, there is every reason to believe a game between two lowly teams will be a tense affair. Just don’t ask us to predict who’s going to win, especially in a contest involving the Bills.

What is your prediction for the Week 15 clash between the Buffalo Bills and Detroit Lions? Who is going to win, and why? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.