Lions vs. Bills: TV Schedule, Live Streaming, Radio, Game Time and More

The NFL preseason will finally come to an end this week, but that doesn't mean that the Detroit Lions and Buffalo Bills can rest on their laurels when they meet on Thursday. Both teams still have some kinks to iron out.

In the minds of many, the Lions could be a playoff team this year, which will hinge largely on the health of quarterback Matthew Stafford. Many have also opined that the Lions have the best defensive line in the NFL. In other areas, however, the Lions can be beat.

On the other side of the field, the Bills probably aren't going to make much noise in the AFC East this year. They are still stuck in their perpetual rebuilding mode; in all likelihood they are still a couple of years away from contending. It's not an exaggeration to say that they have weaknesses up and down their roster.

For now, though, it's all about Thursday. Let's take a look at some specifics.

Where: Ralph Wilson Stadium

When: Thursday, 6:30 p.m. ET 

Watch: ABC 7 for Detroit; WKBW-TV for Buffalo. Streaming online at NFL.com (must purchase preseason package for $9.99); live look-ins on NFL Network. Replay on NFL Network on Saturday at 7:00 a.m. ET. 

Listen: 97.1 The Ticket (WXYT-FM) and SIRI Internet 875 for Detroit; WGRF 96.9 FM and Sirius 94 for Buffalo.

Lions' Key Addition

The Lions made a number of draft picks and free-agent signings that I think are going to help them in the long run, but the one move that should end up standing out the most this season is the signing of linebacker Stephen Tulloch, formerly of the Tennessee Titans.

Tulloch finished second in the NFL with 160 tackles last season, and he promises to provide a boost to a linebacking unit that needs one.

Bills' Key Addition

He had an injury scare recently, but I'm going to go with rookie defensive tackle Marcell Dareus. The middle of Buffalo's defensive line was a big weakness in 2010, and Dareus is going to be the perfect remedy. With him in the middle, the Bills' rush defense and pass rush should be greatly improved.

Lions' Biggest Loss

Losing rookie running back Mikel Leshoure for the season with an Achilles injury is going to hurt. The Lions still have a ton of weapons on offense, but Leshoure was the guy who was supposed to get the tough yards in the middle of the field. Without him, the Lions are going to have a lot of trouble doing so on their own.

Bills' Biggest Loss

While the Lions brought in a talented linebacker during free agency, the Bills saw one leave. That would be Paul Posluszny, who signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars. The Bills did go out and add some linebackers via free agency, but it's going to be hard to replace a guy who had 151 tackles last season.

What They're Saying

Longtime Lions beat writer Tom Kowalski passed away unexpectedly on Monday. And as far as Michael Rosenberg of the Detroit Free Press is concerned, things just won't be the same without him.

"It is impossible to imagine covering the Lions without him," writes Rosenberg. "Tom—his nickname was 'Killer,' after a pro wrestler named Killer Kowalski—covered the team for 30 years for the Oakland Press and then Booth Newspapers. He was an overwhelming presence in the media room, news conferences and the locker room."

Meanwhile, WGRZ-TV's Ed Kilgore has some honest words on what it will take to build a truly competitive team in Buffalo. In his mind, it's a process that starts with winning at the line of scrimmage.

"They need to stop wasting picks on running backs and skilled players—unless they get the [QB] they want of course—and start paying attention to the guys in the trenches. The good teams, and certainly the great teams, can beat you at the line of scrimmage," writes Kilgore.

He's got a point, though my guess is that C.J. Spiller probably doesn't appreciate being called a wasted pick.

Lions Player To Watch

I really, really want to say Stafford, but I'm not sure he's even going to play on Thursday. He's proven this preseason that he is ready to be a big-time producer, so there's no point in risking it by running him out there against the Bills.

So instead, keep an eye on defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh. He's a beast, and he should play at least a few series.

Bills Player To Watch

Once again, I want to say the starting quarterback, which in this case would be Ryan Fitzpatrick. But after his great performance against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Saturday, I doubt Chan Gailey would risk his starting quarterback against the Lions.

In lieu of Fitzpatrick, how about Spiller? The second-year running back is bound to get some carries, so maybe we'll get a glimpse of his insane speed.

Matchup To Watch

The Bills are going to have the same problem as all of Detroit's other opponents: containing the Lions' vicious defensive line.

If I had to guess, Detroit's D-line will probably be toning down their intensity a little bit. That said, it's not like Suh and Co. are going to take it easy on Buffalo's O-line. It will be on them to succeed where the New England Patriots failed this past weekend.

Lions' Key Position Battle

I have to go with running back here. Jahvid Best is going to be the No. 1 guy this season, but the question is going to be whether or not he can carry a full workload. Because we're talking about a guy who is (a) not really an every-down back and (b) injury-prone, my guess is that he won't be able to.

As such, the Lions are going to have to determine which player is the best option to pick up the slack for Best. It would have been Leshoure, but now it's between players like Maurice Morris, Mike Bell and Jerome Harrison.

Good luck with that one, Jim Schwartz.

Bills' Key Position Battle

Who will protect Fitzpatrick's blind side?

No, really. I'm asking. Demetrius Bell and Andy Levitre are in competition for the starting spot at left tackle, and Gailey indicated on Monday (per Buffalo Bills.com) that he doesn't know which one of them he's going to start quite yet.

If nothing else, that means both Bell and Levitre have one more chance to prove their worth.

Key Storyline

This game is probably going to be a little light on storylines, seeing as how both teams are going to play it safe with their starters, but there are still a couple of reasons to watch.

On the Detroit side of things, it's actually going to be worth watching how their backups play. Personally, I have my doubts about the team's depth, so I'm going to be watching in hopes of being proved wrong.

On the Buffalo side of things, the play of the offensive line is going to be worth monitoring, specifically at that left tackle spot. Elsewhere, I for one am going to be on the lookout for sleepers at the skill positions. Goodness knows the Bills could use a pleasant surprise in those areas.

Prediction

Lions 13, Bills 10