Detroit Lions did not need Joe Burrow to be absent to run the show in Cincinnati – they were making their own breaks.
The defense of Detroit feasted with the backup quarterback (Jake Browning) in charge of the Bengals. The Lions snatched him thrice and converted these into 14 points and a big enough margin to win the game on Sunday at Paycor Stadium 37-24.
We will take that, Lions coach Dan Campbell told them. “Was it perfect? No. But we were playing complementary football, and that is what good teams are supposed to do. We always find a way.”
Breaking the streak
The victory broke a seven-game streak against the Bengals that provided Detroit (4-1) with its first win over Cincinnati (2-3) since 1992.
The Lions were not sharp offensively, only 2-of-8 on 3rd down and with 4.0 yards per carry, however, they compensated it by exploiting errors. Jared Goff was effective with a near-perfect passer rating of 153.0 as he passed 258 yards, three TDs and zero interceptions.
Defense sets the tone
Amik Robertson led the cornerback and Alex Anzalone and Kerby Joseph were snapping interceptions. Theatrician linebacker Derrick Barnes, a native of Kentucky, who just made the safety across the river at the end of the fourth quarter, made the day complete.
When we get on the wrong side of something, we say to Goff, get a drink of water, because you are going to go back out, said Barnes after the victory.
The Lions have now taken 38 points on turnovers and special teams in the last two games- that is a reasonable cushion even in spite of a few jittery moments.
Offensive balance
David Montgomery was a native of Cincinnati and he scored twice, on the ground, and once by air. Amon-Ra St. Brown (100 yards) and Sam LaPorta (92 yards) had most of the passing, which was supplemented with a touchdown catch by Rookie back Jahmyr Gibbs.
The offense in Detroit has now exceeded 30 points in four consecutive games matching a franchise record. This season, the Lions have scored 194 points which is the highest in the history of the club in five games.
Bengals push late
Browning was later able to settle in, and finished with 251 yards and three touchdowns two of those being to Ja’Marr Chase who had 110 receiving yards. Cincinnati reduced Detroit 28-3 lead to 28-17 in mid of the fourth quarter, but the defense and special teams of Lions shut the door.
Punting by Jack Fox, too, had a tremendous role to play–four out of five of his kicks had the Cincinnati in their own 10-yard line, and Jack turned the field two times over.
The Lions themselves were not perfect: a few of their key plays were called back because of penalties, such as Aidan Hutchinson sacks, but made enough momentum plays to give Cincinnati the win.
The defense did come to our rescue. The crime came to their rescue when they needed it, Goff said. “That’s been our hallmark. We are not flawless, but we get to the right play at the right time.
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