An 11-yard Jared Goff pass to Jahmyr Gibbs capped a 12-play, 70-yard drive, putting Detroit on the board after opening with minus-10 net yards on its first two possessions.
Gibbs drove that response with seven touches on the series, including a 12-yard catch, runs of 10 and 6 yards, and the touchdown after third-down conversions by Sione Vaki kept the march alive.
Buffalo still controlled the game at 21-7 after touchdowns on its first three possessions, with Josh Allen throwing scoring passes to Josh Palmer and Dawson Knox after an opening rushing TD.
The Bills' edge was built early by a disruptive defense and explosive offense: Greg Rousseau had two sacks and a forced fumble, while Buffalo had outgained Detroit 209-10 before the Lions' scoring drive.