The Buffalo Bills and Detroit Lions meet in NFL Week 2 on Thursday, September 17, 2026, with two established quarterbacks leading their respective offenses.
Josh Allen is the Bills’ starting quarterback, while Jared Goff sits atop the Lions’ quarterback depth chart. Here is a look at the starting and backup quarterbacks for Bills vs. Lions.
Buffalo Bills Quarterback Depth Chart
Starter: Josh Allen
Josh Allen remains the starting quarterback and centerpiece of the Buffalo Bills offense. The veteran quarterback enters the matchup as Buffalo’s clear QB1 and will start against Detroit barring a late change in his availability.
Backup: Kyle Allen
Kyle Allen is Buffalo’s backup quarterback behind Josh Allen. If Josh Allen is unable to continue during the game, Kyle Allen would be the Bills’ primary option to take over under center.
Bills QB Depth Chart
- Josh Allen — Starter
- Kyle Allen — Backup
Detroit Lions Quarterback Depth Chart
Starter: Jared Goff
Jared Goff remains the Detroit Lions’ starting quarterback for their Week 2 matchup against Buffalo. Goff continues to lead Detroit’s offense and will face a Bills defense looking to slow down the Lions’ passing attack.
Backup: Joshua Dobbs
Joshua Dobbs is Detroit’s backup quarterback behind Goff. The veteran provides the Lions with an experienced option should Detroit need to turn to its QB2.
Lions QB Depth Chart
- Jared Goff — Starter
- Joshua Dobbs — Backup
Who Are the Starting Quarterbacks for Bills vs. Lions?
The starting quarterback matchup for Thursday Night Football is expected to feature Josh Allen for the Buffalo Bills against Jared Goff for the Detroit Lions.
Both teams also have experienced veterans behind them, with Kyle Allen backing up Josh Allen and Joshua Dobbs backing up Goff.
Bills vs. Lions QB Depth Chart at a Glance
| Team | Starting QB | Backup QB |
|---|---|---|
| Buffalo Bills | Josh Allen | Kyle Allen |
| Detroit Lions | Jared Goff | Joshua Dobbs |
When Is Bills vs. Lions?
The Detroit Lions visit the Buffalo Bills on Thursday, September 17, 2026, as part of NFL Week 2.
Matchup: Detroit Lions vs. Buffalo Bills
Date: Thursday, September 17, 2026
Kickoff: 8:15 p.m. ET
Location: Highmark Stadium, Orchard Park, New York
Week: NFL Week 2
Bills vs. Lions Quarterback Matchup
Josh Allen vs. Jared Goff gives Bills vs. Lions a high-profile quarterback matchup in Week 2. Allen will lead Buffalo with Kyle Allen available as his backup, while Goff starts for Detroit with Joshua Dobbs serving as the Lions’ No. 2 quarterback.
For fans searching for the Bills vs. Lions quarterback depth chart, the key names are straightforward: Josh Allen and Jared Goff are the starters, while Kyle Allen and Joshua Dobbs are the backups for NFL Week 2.