The Cincinnati Bengals (3-2) follow up their disappointing overtime loss to the Green Bay Packers last week with a trip to Detroit to take on the Lions (0-5). The Bengals are threatening to contend in the AFC and need to take care of business against a Detroit team that has struggled just about every week — but still almost beat the Baltimore Ravens.
Which team will prevail? Don’t miss our online NFL betting preview.
NFL Preview: Cincinnati Bengals at Detroit Lions (Sunday, October 17)
When: Sunday, October 21, 2020, 1:00 pm ET
Where: Ford Field, Detroit
TV: FOX
Radio: WLW 700 AM Cincinnati / WXYT 97.1 FM Detroit
Live Stream: Hulu
NFL Odds: Cincinnati -3 / O/U 47.5 // Cincinnati -160 / Detroit +140
Why should you bet on the Bengals?
If the Bengals had made a field goal near the end of regulation, they would have beaten Green Bay and come in at 4-1. Obviously, history doesn’t mean as much for interconference games, but the last time Detroit beat Cincinnati was back in 1992; the Bengals have won nine of 12 meetings overall. It looked like quarterback Joe Burrow and safety Jessie Bates might miss the game due to injury. However, both are cleared to play and will be ready to go.
Cincinnati should be able to have its way offensively. No team allows a greater depth of target in the passing game than the Lions (12-0). They have permitted 840 passing yards, fourth worst in the league. They have permitted eight passing touchdowns — and opponents are scoring touchdowns on 5.9% of passing plays, which puts the Lions’ defense in the bottom third of the league. On the ground, Detroit allows 130.2 yards per game, 23rd in the NFL. So expect the Bengals to put up plenty of points.
Why should you put your money on the Lions?
Cincinnati could go through a bit of a letdown after that tough loss a week ago. The Bengals have not been that resilient of a team during the Zac Taylor era, at least not until this season. Cincinnati’s defense was able to get in Aaron Rodgers’ face and pressure him to throw the ball more quickly than he would have liked, but he was able to find targets down the field when he needed to. If Jared Goff can respond well to quick pressure, then the Lions might be able to get some home run plays.
The Lions’ defense stood tall against Baltimore, and the Ravens’ offense is even more potent than the Bengals’. It really would depend on which Lions team showed up this week, but this team has the talent to be at least 2-3, instead of 0-5, but they don’t seem to have jelled around Dan Campbell’s scheme yet.
Final Score and Betting Prediction
Did you know that road favorites have gone 19-10 in the 2021 NFL season? That’s straight up, not against the spread. So if you’re leaning toward Cincinnati, there’s a reason that’s supported by this year’s statistics. With Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, Joe Burrow has two elite targets down the field, and Samaje Perine and Joe Mixon can pound the ball in the running game. Detroit is a few years behind Cincinnati on the rebuild curve. I predict a final score of Cincinnati 27, Detroit 16.
NFL Betting Odds
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