By: Jeremy T. Ballreich
The Detroit Lions’ high-powered offense and opportunistic defense were too much for the struggling Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday, as the surging Lions defeated the home team 37-24 at Paycor Stadium. While the final score appeared respectable for Cincinnati thanks to a late-game flurry, the contest was largely controlled by Detroit, who improved their record to a commanding 4-1 with their fourth consecutive victory. The Bengals, now 2-3, continue to falter in the absence of star quarterback Joe Burrow, suffering their third straight loss.
The narrative of the game was defined by a tale of two offenses in the first half: one that was humming and one that was sputtering. The Lions, boasting the league’s top scoring offense, wasted no time establishing their dominance. Quarterback Jared Goff, operating behind an exceptional offensive line, was sharp and efficient all afternoon. He completed 19 of 23 passes for 258 yards, three touchdowns, and a 145.8 passer rating, barely missing a beat. The first quarter saw tight end Sam LaPorta cap an impressive opening drive with a 16-yard catch-and-run touchdown, signaling Detroit’s intention.
The Lions’ versatile running back tandem also proved to be the nightmare matchup analysts predicted. Hometown hero David Montgomery, in particular, had a memorable day. He rushed for an 8-yard touchdown and, in a creative play-call, also tossed a 3-yard touchdown pass to tight end Brock Wright in the second quarter. The Lions’ one-two punch of Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs combined for 119 rushing yards, carving up a Bengals run defense that has struggled immensely with missed tackles.
On the other side of the ball, the Bengals’ offense, led by backup quarterback Jake Browning, was abysmal for the vast majority of the first three quarters. The home crowd booed loudly as the offense managed just a single 50-yard field goal from Evan McPherson as time expired in the first half, making the halftime score 14-3. Browning’s struggles were compounded by three crucial interceptions thrown through the first two-plus quarters—snags by Amik Robertson, Kerby Joseph, and Alex Anzalone—all of which set up short fields for the relentless Lions attack. Detroit’s defense was quick to capitalize, converting those takeaways into 14 points, which was the ultimate difference-maker in the game.
Detroit built a massive second-half lead—at one point, up by 25 points—largely putting the game out of reach. However, the fourth quarter offered a glimmer of hope and a statistical boost for Cincinnati. With the game well in hand, Jake Browning found his rhythm and connected with All-Pro wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase for two quick touchdowns. The first was a 15-yard score just nine seconds into the quarter, and the second was a beautiful 64-yard bomb down the sideline. Chase was a bright spot, finishing with six catches for 110 yards and the two scores, even tackling the defender after all three of his quarterback’s interceptions—a remarkable, if desperate, effort. Tee Higgins also added a late garbage-time touchdown to polish the box score.
Ultimately, the Bengals’ furious, too-little-too-late rally was snuffed out. Jared Goff and the Lions offense answered Chase’s first score with a decisive 12-yard touchdown pass to Isaac TeSlaa, restoring the comfortable margin. Lions linebacker Derrick Barnes sealed the deal with a sack of Browning in the end zone for a safety in the final minutes.
The Detroit Lions showcased all three phases of a winning football team: a highly efficient offense, an aggressive, turnover-forcing defense, and a strong special teams effort that consistently pinned the Bengals deep, led by punter Jack Fox. For the Bengals, the loss further highlights the team’s inability to consistently move the ball and protect it without their franchise quarterback. Jake Browning’s final stat line (26-for-40, 251 yards, 3 TDs, 3 INTs) looks better than his performance truly was, as the turnovers crippled Cincinnati’s chances early. The Lions continue to roll, cementing their status as one of the NFC’s elite, while the Bengals face critical questions about the viability of their offense until Joe Burrow is back under center.
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