Bills set to open new stadium hosting the Lions in a prime-time matchup

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (AP) – The new car smell of the Buffalo Bills' Highmark Stadium has already worn off on Josh Allen a little more than a month since the gleaming $2.1 billion facility opened.

What happened

So excuse the quarterback for being part of a small minority in declining to purchase into the heightened anticipation felt around town of the Bills hosting the Detroit Lions in the first regular-season game at their new home on Thursday night.

"We've already been in there a couple of times, " Allen remarked, referring to Buffalo's two preseason outings, plus three practice sessions. "I obtain the same feeling (of excitement) regardless of what stadium we're playing in. So the goal's the goal, and that's to go 1-0."

Nevertheless much Allen wants to downplay the moment, the game has a prime-time stage and features numerous musical acts, including OneRepublic's halftime performance, and two of the NFL's most potent offenses.

The bottom line

Taken together, the developments around bills set to open new stadium hosting the Lions in a prime point to a situation that is still moving, and the coming days should bring more clarity.