Bengals vs Lions
August 13, 2026 7:30 pm EDT
The Line: Bengals -6.5
(Get latest betting odds)
The Detroit Lions and Cincinnati Bengals meet Thursday in NFL preseason action at Paycor Stadium. Here’s a Bengals vs Lions Prediction. This article will include a Bengals vs Lions Pick.
Detroit Lions Betting Preview
The Lions look for a bounce-back season in the sixth year under coach Dan Campbell as they went from being a Super Bowl contender to missing the playoffs. The Lions have still won at least 9 games in each of their last 4 seasons.
The Lions will have a revamped offensive line, which is always a question mark, but the strength of this team remains the offense. Jared Goff has shined during his time in Detroit, while Jahmyr Gibbs is one of the best running backs in the league. There’s also a star trio of receivers in Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jameson Williams, and Isaac TeSlaa who give this unit spooky potential.
Defensively, the Lions have always been hit or miss, and that seems to be the case again. Aidan Hutchinson is a stud on the defensive line but needs help. The linebacker unit lost a key producer in Alex Anzalone. The secondary also has injury issues with Kerby Joseph and Brian Branch. Still, the Lions remain a contender in the NFC North.
Cincinnati Bengals Betting Preview
The Bengals have missed the playoffs in 3 straight seasons but still enter year 8 under coach Zac Taylor and hope for a bounce back. The Bengals have made the playoffs just twice in the last decade, which is inexcusable for the talent that’s been on the roster.
Of course, the health of QB Joe Burrow will make or break this team, as he’s one of the top passers in the league but has missed a chunk of time in 2 of the last 3 seasons. Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins are arguably the best receiving duo in the league, and running back Chase Brown is fresh off a 1,000-yard season. The offensive line came along last year and returns intact, which should be a good sign entering the 2026 season.
The Bengals were aggressive with their defense by adding Dexter Lawrence and Jonathan Allen, which instantly improves this unit up front. The secondary added Bryan Cook and Kyle Dugger, which should pair nicely with a solid cornerback tandem of D.J. Turner II and Dax Hill. The pieces are in place for the Bengals to make a push at an AFC North crown. If it doesn’t happen, there should be a shakeup from the top to the bottom.
Bengals vs Lions Prediction
Those who have followed me over the years know my handicapping in preseason is all about the quarterback position. The rest of the positions are toss-ups, and you have no idea who is going to play nd for how long. The one constant thing is decent quarterback play and the guys who can put points on the board.
With that said, I also have a rule of not laying a bunch of points in the preseason. The goal here is for teams to knock off the rust and figure out who makes the team. Winning is an afterthought. Nobody cares. I don’t like the Lions’ quarterback room after Goff, and the Bengals have experience with Joe Flacco and Josh Johnson. I get it. However, we’re getting nearly a touchdown with the Lions.
Once we start giving up more than 3 or 3.5 points in a preseason game, I’m looking the other way. This line is nuts. It’s Lions or pass for me just off the line.
