Lions vs. Bengals game recap: Everything we know
Sunday’s matchup between the Detroit Lions and Cincinnati Bengals was free from any second-half drama. It was the first Lions game this season that lacked important drives and momentum swings. Unfortunately, the Bengals ran away with an easy blowout road win.
If fans bailed early on this one, it’s easy to forgive them. Cincinnati outclassed the host Lions on both sides of the ball. The Lions defense kept the first half interesting, but that quickly went away when Joe Burrow led the Bengals to two quick scoring drives to open the second half, wrapped around two ugly offensive possessions from Jared Goff and the Lions.
Final score: Bengals 34, Lions 11
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Keys to the game
David Reginek-USA TODAY Sports
The Lions came out of the tunnel with no offense. Detroit gained one net yard in the first quarter and didn’t pick up a first down until the first drive of the second quarter.
Sadly, it didn’t get better. The Bengals speed on defense caused problems all afternoon for Jared Goff and the Lions offense. Goff was unimpressive throughout the game but particularly in the first half, when his timidity and relative lack of weaponry was a major problem. Cincinnati took away the run game (18 carries for 36 yards) and the passing game could not step up.
Detroit’s defense was competitive early on. The Lions made some nice plays against Joe Burrow and friends in the first half, keeping the game close. But the strong and diverse Bengals attack wore down the defense and lit up the stadium with four straight scoring drives to open the second half, three of them touchdowns.
It was over when...
The final two drives of the first half effectively ended any real hope for the Lions. Detroit got the ball with just under two minutes to play in the second quarter after a strong defensive 3-and-out. In 26 seconds, the Lions meekly went 3-and-out on their own with a missed throw from Goff, an awful blocking effort on a run play and a quick pressure that forced Goff to abort any options.
Cincinnati answered with just enough to allow kicker Chase McLaughlin to connect on a 38-yard field goal as time expired in the half. That pushed the lead to 10-0 and slammed the door on any real hope for the lifeless Lions offense.
Top 3 stars of the game
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In restricting this to just Lions, it’s not an easy choice to find three Detroit players worthy of merit.
3rd star: CB Jerry Jacobs – 6 tackles, 1 PD, 1 forced fumble
2nd star: LB Derrick Barnes – team-high 8 tackles, 1 PD, two third-down stops
1st star: OLB Julian Okwara – 3 tackles, 1 sack, 2 QB hits, two drawn holding penalties
Stats
What's next for the Lions?
(AP Photo/Duane Burleson)
The 0-6 Lions travel to Los Angeles to face old friend Mathew Stafford and the Rams. The Rams are 5-1 after smoking the New York Giants 38-11.
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