I’m going to get a bold prediction right this season, I promise you that. Despite their stats, I believed the Detroit Lions’ offense would find better success against the Cleveland Browns’ defense last week. It was a valiant effort, but the Lions won the game in the end, and that’s all that matters.
This week, the Lions play the Cincinnati Bengals on the road in what could be a bloodbath of a game. The Bengals enter 2-2, and before the season, this game was a 50/50 matchup, but now it’s heavily favoring the Lions. Cincinnati is down its franchise quarterback, Joe Burrow, and its running game is nonexistent with running back Chase Brown. Their defense has had to step up to try and win them games, and so far, they haven’t done much to show they can carry the team far.
With a team that appears to be already giving up based on their body language, the Bengals are in must-win mode every week. Their challenge in the Lions this week will be their toughest yet, and I think the Lions have a chance to set a franchise record.
Bold prediction of the week: Detroit scores franchise record points in a game
When I was thinking of ideas for bold predictions, I figured the most points scored by the Lions would have been much higher, especially with how explosive they were last season. They set multiple records against the Jacksonville Jaguars, but they still didn’t put up the most points ever in a game. What are the most points in a game, and when was it? 55 points against the Chicago Bears back in 1997.
Does 55 points seem low for anybody else? 14 of the 32 teams have scored 60 points in their history, and to see the Lions not outdo a performance from their 90s team is surprising. This team has better weapons and coaching than the ’97 team, so not to outdo them is shocking. Under head coach Dan Campbell, the Lions have scored 50+ points three times, twice last season and once this year, all 52 points scored.
While the Bengals will be arguably the easiest team the Lions will have played this season, stat-wise, the Bengals are mostly struggling on offense, which impacts how the defense plays. According to PFF, the Bengals have the lowest run blocking grade (35) and running grade (53.1), and when you have a backup quarterback struggling like Jake Browning is, the offense has a true uphill battle. The past two weeks, the Bengals have had less than 175 yards of offense each game, and against the Denver Broncos, they had just two seconds over 22 minutes of time of possession, while the Broncos had the ball just under 38 minutes.
When the offense can’t move the chains or score, the defense gets tired being on the field for so long and so often. Per TeamRankings.com, the Lions average 31 minutes and 49 seconds in time of possession, sixth most in the NFL. The Bengals? Dead last with 25 minutes and 31 seconds.
The most points allowed by the Bengals this season were 48 against the Minnesota Vikings, and that was with backup quarterback Carson Wentz under center. Detroit has the top-ranked offense, averaging 34.3 points per game, and after a disappointing start to the season, they have really picked up where they left off in 2024. Wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown is having a strong start to the year, ranking seventh in the NFL in receiving yards (307), and leads the NFL in touchdowns with six. Quarterback Jared Goff hasn’t been sacked in three straight games, a franchise record, and I think that record extends to four games this week.
The Bengals have allowed the third most passing yards (1,089) and tied for fourth most passing touchdowns (eight). The Lions have the highest completion percentage (73.8) and second-most touchdowns (nine). It’s not just the passing game that will find success; the running game for Detroit is gaining steam too.
Detroit has the sixth-most rushing yards (556) and is tied for second in touchdowns (seven). Meanwhile, the Bengals have allowed the seventh-most rushing yards (543) and are tied for fifth in rushing touchdowns allowed (5). Last week, Detroit didn’t just score on offense; they scored on special teams and were a few yards away from a pick-six. Against the Vikings, Browning threw a pick-six, and with Lions safety Kerby Joseph already having two interceptions this season, he could soon lead the NFL in interceptions again this year and get a third (if healthy enough to play).
Overall, Detroit has the better team and coaching staff. They should obliterate the Bengals on Sunday afternoon. The Bengals don’t have an identity without Burrow, their offensive line can’t protect Browning or generate rushing lanes for their running backs, and star wide receivers Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins aren’t getting chances with the ball. The defense looks tired, lifeless, and ineffective as they are trying their best to keep this team’s season alive, and that’s sad, saying that in October.
This game shouldn’t be close; it has no reason to be. If the Lions can put up 52 points on the Bears, a team that at least has life in their players and better coaching, the Lions should set this record against Cincinnati. If Detroit scores 52 points again, I will believe something is wrong with the football gods allowing them to break this record.
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