The 2-2 Cincinnati Bengals host the 3-1 Detroit Lions on Sunday afternoon as a 10.5 underdog without two-time Comeback Player of the Year and MVP-caliber quarterback, Joe Burrow. The Bengals looked dreadful in their last two games, with the offense sputtering under backup quarterback Jake Browning. Nonetheless, it would be a mistake to underestimate this team.
Jake Browning Leads Keys To A Detroit Lions Victory In Cincinnati
Cincinnati’s Backup QB Takes Center Stage
When Burrow was injured in 2023, Browning had five wins in seven games for the Bengals. His first NFL touchdown went to J’Marr Chase. That season, he completed 70.4 percent of his passes for 1,936 yards, 12 touchdowns, and 27 carries for 127 yards with three touchdowns.
During the final seven weeks, Browning ranked 2nd in the NFL for both passing yards and completion percentage. On December 15, 2023, he led the team to a 27-24 overtime victory against the Minnesota Vikings. Completing 29 of 42 passes for 324 yards, Browning threw two 4th quarter touchdowns and one interception. Both of the scores went to Tee Higgins.
Cincinnati’s Top Tier Receivers
However, this season is a different story. Browning’s been sacked seven times and struggled under pressure. He’s thrown three interceptions and coughed up three fumbles. Despite Browning’s struggles this season, he has two of the NFL’s best receivers in Chase and Higgins. Last year’s Triple Crown winner, Chase, led the league in receiving yards, receptions, and touchdowns. Openly frustrated with how poorly the offense is playing, Chase told reporters, “Urgency is there, man, it’s just you gotta want it. At the end of the day, we gotta want it. Today, it didn’t look like we wanted it.” If Chase channels that frustration into motivation, he’s as dangerous as a lighted stick of dynamite, ready to explode at any moment.
Now in his sixth season with the Bengals, Higgins has 340 career receptions for 4,731 yards with 35 touchdowns and five carries for another 28 yards. Higgins’ reliability as a clutch performer has been demonstrated time and again. But as talented as they are, both Chase and Higgins are known to fumble under pressure. Chase has succumbed to six career fumbles and lost four. One was this season in a 48-10 loss to the Vikings. Although Higgins has zero fumbles this season, his three previous fumbles resulted in turnovers.
In addition to keeping the pressure on Browning, the Detroit defense can inflict damage by forcing fumbles.
Advantage: Detroit
The Lions’ Defense Must Shut Down Chase Brown
With Browning struggling under center, the Bengals’ ground game becomes increasingly important. Running back Chase Brown, the Bengals’ fifth-round pick in 2023, has emerged to become one of the NFL’s top backfield producers. Last year, his 1,350 yards from scrimmage ranked 17th in the league. Brown produced 12 touchdowns with 990 rushing yards and 360 receiving yards. He is also deployed as a kickoff returner on special teams with nine career returns for 230 yards. This season, Brown has been held to 57 carries for 133 yards with one touchdown.
Detroit’s rushing defense is currently ranked number eight in the NFL. The team allowed only 94 yards on the ground with one touchdown scored in each of the games this season.
Advantage: Detroit
It All Starts With the Lions’ Offensive Line
Operating behind MVP-candidate Jared Goff, the Lions’ offense is stacked with an arsenal of offensive weaponry. Goff has one of the NFL’s most talented receiving corps at his disposal, including sensational All-Pro Amon-Ra St. Brown. The league’s top RB duo, David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs, accounts for over 500 rushing yards and seven scores this season. Picking up where they left off a year ago, Detroit’s offense is firing on all cylinders, averaging more than 34 points per game. However, their success all begins with the Lions’ offensive line.
After a miserable start against the Green Bay Packers, the offensive line has stepped up admirably in the last three games. Coach Dan Campbell, OC John Morton, and O-line coordinator Hank Fraley are to be congratulated for correcting the communication and alignment issues that plagued the team in Week 1. Offensive tackle Penei Sewell continues to perform at a Pro Bowl level. Despite playing through ongoing shoulder issues, Taylor Decker (T) has been outstanding. Rookie Tate Ratledge is becoming a quick learner and earned a grade of 91.4 from PFF.com following his strong performance against Baltimore.
The Cincinnati Bengals Defense
Four-time Pro-Bowl DE Trey Hendrickson is an elite veteran with 231 career tackles, 79 sacks, 16 pass defenses, and 14 forced fumbles. This season, OLB Logan Wilson, safety Jordan Battle, and cornerback Dax Hill join Henderson. Hill leads the group with 20 solo tackles, two PDF’s and one interception. Second-round rookie draft pick Demetrius Knight Jr. is finding his place in the Bengals’ defense. Knight is a welcome addition with 17 tackles, one interception, and two PDFs. Last year’s season-ending injury behind him, Wilson is back, recording 25 tackles and three PDFs.
If Detroit’s offensive line continues to perform at the level they’ve demonstrated thus far, the Lions offense can look forward to another high-scoring game.
Advantage: Detroit
Overconfidence Could Be A Game Killer
While it would seem like the Lions have an easier opponent this week, overconfidence and sloppy play could be their biggest obstacle. The Lions have been guilty in recent weeks of giving up far too many costly penalties. Despite last week’s win, Campbell was visibly concerned about the numerous penalties and mistakes. The Lions have been flagged 36 times this season. If the Lions allow a hungry team like the Bengals to capitalize, it could lead to disaster. Regardless of the favorable point spread and predictions of a huge win, Detroit must approach this game with the same energy and intensity they do every week if they want to earn this victory.
Main Photo: Sam Greene/USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
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