Cincinnati Bengals Face TOUGH Test With Detroit Lions Coming to Town in Week 5

Cincinnati Bengals Face TOUGH Test With Detroit Lions Coming to Town in Week 5

Are the Bengals going to actually score points this week? They’re going to need to if they’re going to stay in the game against the Detroit Lions. It’s time for our week five crossover. Locked on Lions, locked on Bengals, right now on the Locked On podcast network. [Music] You are Locked On Crossover, part of the Locked Onet. Your team every day. Hi again everyone and welcome in to another locked on crossover. I’m James of locked on Bengals. He’s Matt Derry of Locked on Lions and it’s a huge huge matchup this week. Well, at least for one team. I think Bengals fans are are really down Matt. I’m not going to lie to you. But still plenty to discuss when it comes to this matchup in today’s crossover Thursday is presented by Prize Pix. Download the Prize Pix app today and use code locked on NFL to get $50 in lineups after you play your first $5 lineup. Uh let’s start with the the good. Let’s start with the Lions. Uh how are things in in Lions country right now? What’s the the biggest story when it comes to the Detroit Lions? James, things are great. I mean, they’ve won three in a row. They feel good. Uh I know it’s the complete opposite of what you guys went through as Lions fans tuned in on Monday night to do a little scouting of the Bengals and and saw that atrocity, but uh no, to be honest, the Lions started the year very slow. Uh week one in Green Bay was an unmitigated disaster. They played very poorly and the Packers took it to them and everybody started panicking and what about the new coordinators and oh my god Frank Ragn now retired what are we going to do at center and the last three weeks the Lions have really established their will and it starts with the offensive line they battered the Bears beat up on the Ravens in Baltimore in Monday Night Football. I know I know you saw that and then uh last week took care of the Browns. It wasn’t pretty but as you know the Browns as they did with the Bengals in week one junked it up and stayed in the game for a while. Then the Lions pulled away, but Detroit feels good. Um, this was a game, like you said earlier in the year, you went, “All right, 425 on Fox at Burrow and the Bengals.” Now, without him there, I think the Lions can breathe a little bit easier. But again, anytime you go on the road, it’s going to be tough. And then there’s some story lines here. DJ Reer coming back. David Montgomery is a Cincinnati kid. So, uh, and the Lions have some issues at quarterback that we’ll talk about. Yeah, I I think the the Montgomery factor is so interesting to me being a Cincinnati and knowing he went to Mounty High School and well my University of Cincinnati Bearcats didn’t recruit him and all those things, but yeah, it’s uh there’s definitely something there. How is you mentioned DJ Reer, how is DJ Reer overall? I know Bengals fans think about him often. Well, you know, I I talked to Dan Horde last year. the Bengals radio voice and an old Syracuse buddy of mine and he was like, “Man, we miss him so much.” And he hasn’t had the kind of impact maybe on the field. I think last year was banged up a lot and the numbers kind of, you know, the PFF numbers weren’t great to him. He was fine. I see a better DJ Reer this year. He’s healthy. He’s in a contract year obviously and he’s been kind of the leader of that interior of the defensive line with the injuries to Al McNeel and Levi owner and he just seems like such a good dude and is a force in there against the run and has been better and I think coming back to Cincinnati this weekend for him I think will be a nice showcase for him and I know the Bengals have been struggling. I got to ask you James I mean you know I know what the feeling is in Cincinnati. I could see it on your face here as we record, but you know, do you worry more about Reer, let’s say Reer and the Lions is getting after that O line, or is it just that there’s a quarterback problem there? Like, what’s going on, man? Uh, it’s everything. Yes. You know, it really is. And what I’ve tried to focus on so far this week is, all right, well, what can you fix? And I do think that there are some realistic options that could be better at quarterback. Jake Browning left a ton on the field this past week. I mean, when you have Jamar Chase and T. Higgins and and all of these other weap and and you could go on and on. Guys that can make plays and you’re scoring 13 points in eight quarters and the the one touchdown you’ve scored in those eight quarters was garbage time when the Vikings had put in their practice squad backups, you know? I mean, it was it was very much a game over type of garbage time situation. It’s such a I would say demoralizing feeling and that that’s what I think is interesting as we record this. I haven’t been in the the locker room yet and it’s because of the Monday game everything’s kind of pushed back. How do they respond now? Because that Monday game was supposed to be their response after laying the egg in Minnesota. And I think that’s what’s so tough is now 48 hours removed from that Monday night debacle is it’s like all right well what what answers do you have because you need them very very quickly because you have one of the best teams in the NFL coming to Por Stadium on Sunday and and you were already supposed to respond and now the the competition gets tougher. In my mind the Lions are better than what they’ve seen over the past couple of weeks and yeah they were on the road but it looked awful. you get outsc scored 76-13. So, they have a ton of issues. Uh, and and yet I I look at it and I say, “All right, well, you’re not going to necessarily be able to just fix the trenches, but you should be able to get more out of this offense given the skill guys that you do have and given where the the strength of this roster is and and they haven’t done it over the past couple of weeks without Joe Burrow. It it’s crazy cuz like it seems like yesterday you guys were in the Super Bowl. It I mean it was the it was a lot of the same players. It was the head coach. I watched Monday night James. I’m like what is this? And I know they started off okay. I think they went up three nothing but my gosh it was I the penalties and they didn’t even accept all of them. How many how many penalties did they have that weren’t even accepted? It was like 15 total or something. Yeah. Yeah. So at halftime it was 11 penalties that they were called for and eight of them. eight were were accepted and and they finished with more penalties than first downs and they had four first downs on the opening drive, five the rest of the game. I mean, just historically bad offense and they have the best receiver on the planet in my mind, right? And maybe he’s second or third or whatever, but I that’s just it’s really really hard to do in that that backup receiver they have or their second receiver, however you want to say it in T. Higgins, he’s he’s really good too, right? So, it’s They have to find a way to get those guys involved and and that’s where my focus is. Like, yeah, they’re a young defense. They’re not going to be great. They’re going to give up points and yards and things like that. The offensive line, I don’t think anyone expected the offensive line to be world beaters this year, but with Jake Browning, they should still be able to score points and they haven’t. And so, that’s the thing where you look at Zack and Zack Taylor, the head coach, and you look at this team, and you’re like, “All right, how do you fix this at least somewhat so you can be competitive in a game like Sunday? It’s interesting, too. Uh, you mentioned before, I could see it on the screen, you know, on on our graphic there, slowing down the Lions offense. The Browns defense really good. Really good. I mean, this past week was the LA, it’s the first time in a while I can remember a game at Ford Field where the Lions just didn’t cruise down the field on most possessions. Now, it’s not every possession. There’s going to be some punts. The Lions have a good one in Jack Fox, and he he pins people deep, but man, Miles Garrett and that crew and Garrett didn’t have a sack. Obviously, he kind of forced Taylor Decker to have a pretty low PFF grade. Um, but all in all, I thought the Browns defense did all they could do. I mean, they were on the field most of the game, especially in the second half. Um, but the Lions, I feel like, you know, not saying they left some points on the field, but I think they will tell you they could play better offensively, and that’s pretty scary with how they’ve been playing lately, and they did a nice job against the Ravens. So, your question about slowing down the L, you said the Bengals defense is young. Um, I think the Lions are ready to kind of break out again this week after this past week where they really couldn’t do everything that they wanted to do. And Montgomery had what, nine carries, 12 yards. That’s not gonna happen again, right? I I don’t think so. I I I love the Lions offense. I love how they’re built. Our everydayers know how big of a fan I was of Jir Gibbs pre-draft and uh Gibbs and Montgomery together just it’s a it’s a heck of a one-two combo. Uh you have San Laora, Aman Ross, St. I mean, they just layers on layers. And then let’s just say you contain all those guys. Well, Jameson Williams is a a dude. He’s a real guy. I I don’t know uh in that draft. It’s fun. I get to share some of this knowledge now that isn’t necessarily relevant to the Bengals. The Bengals had Jameson Williams as their number one receiver in that draft. Now, they weren’t in the wide receiver market at that stage, but for the Lions to trade up for him, they weren’t alone in thinking, “Hey, this guy’s awesome.” And I know they really like Jir Gibbs as well. So for to see those guys come to town yet. It’s a it’s a huge challenge and and I think the Bengals that there’s one clear issue that their defense needs to solve and I don’t know if they have the personnel to do it. Uh we can dive into that in some of these matchups that are going to be really interesting and uh probably challenging for the Bengals coming up next. Today’s show is brought to you by FanDuel. FanDuel is America’s number one sports book for a reason. And right now, well, you got to take advantage of, well, a $5 bet because you can bet just $5 and you’ll get $300 in bonus bets if you win. That’s right. You pick a bet, put down five bucks, and if it hits, you unlock $300 in bonus bets to use across the app. That’s same game parlays, live bets, live parlays. If you want to go that route, you could think of uh multiple different maybe you want to parlay the Major League Baseball playoffs and combine it with an NFL game. You can do all of the above with FanDuel. They’re America’s number one sports book. So again, pick a bet, put down five bucks, and if it hits, you unlock $300 in bonus bets to use across the app. What are you waiting for? Visit fan.com to download the FanDuel app today and get started. Today’s show is also brought to you by Mazda. Mazda crafts cars for those who do more than simply move. Mazda delivers confidence with every ride with more IIHS top safety picks and awards than anyone else. From footwork to breath work, athletes sweat all the details. Mazda brings the same intention to how we craft every model. You can make everyday drives feel like anything but from smooth handling to intuitive controls. My broadcast partner here on Lockdown Bengals, Jake Liscoco, drives a Mazda and he’s experienced it firsthand. Like our players, we sweat every detail because when you make every move count, impossible becomes irrelevant. Mazda, move and be moved. All right, Matt, let’s dive into uh some of these matchups. I think the reason why this Bengals defense the my biggest issue with it, and it’s not going to shock many people that have watched this Bengals team, they can’t get any pressure. They cannot pressure the quarterback. Trey Hendrickson has a pass rush win rate of just over 20%. Obviously, everyone knows about Trey. He led the NFL in sacks last year. Shamar Stewart, the Bengals first round pick is is at 14%, but he’s missed the past couple of games. No other defensive lineman in double digits from a pass rush win rate perspective or defensive lineman uh for the Bengals. They’ve just really struggled in that area. And it’s not like they’re great against the Rod. And so when you you put that together and I look at this matchup with the Lions, if you’re not going to pressure Jared Goff and you’re not going to completely shut down the run, that’s uh that’s a pretty could be tough sledding against this Detroit Lions offense. Let let me ask you this. How much of that is number one the whole Stewart circus with the the signing him and he missed time and then how much of it is the Hendrickson circus? I mean, is it just that their sea legs aren’t under under them because they didn’t have training camp or what what how much of that played a role in this or are they just not playing well? Well, no. I I think those two guys are for the most part. I think Shamar Stewart’s played about as well as you could you could imagine or expect of him now. He’s only played two of the four games and got hurt at the end of that Jags game, but Trey is the only guy and so he commands all the attention. Yeah. and and the Bengals desperately need someone else. And that’s why it’s a big big story to follow. I don’t think by the time uh everyone sees this or listens to this on Thursday, Wednesday, Thursday that we’re going to know about Shamar Stewart status. I think he’s getting closer, but uh and they certainly need him. But that’s kind of it. You know, Joseph Osai is is someone they signed hoping that he would uh kind of break out his relative, but be that productive defensive end across from Trey Hendrickson in his fifth season. He’s a former third- round pick out of Texas. They thought maybe he would be able to put it together. Miles Murphy in his third season, first round pick the same year Jir Gibbs was drafted by the Lions in 2023. And so they took him 28th overall. And those guys just haven’t done that. They’ve had little flashes at times, but not enough consistency. And so, you talk about that Lions offensive line getting going, and I’m like, “Oh, man. It’s uh that’s a tough that’s a a tough matchup there.” That I mean, and that’s the matchup right there. So, if you’re talking about, okay, what to watch, let’s start there with Stewart and Hendrickson against Decker and Su. I mean, whoever lines up against Ben Sulu, good luck. I mean, he is the best right tackle in the game. Uh, we could argue it with other people, but I truly believe that. Uh, two weeks ago against the Ravens, um, again, I I found I sound like I’m I’m a PFF slappy here, but I mean, is is great. He nearly graded out at 100. I mean, that never happens. He’s that good and he’s just nasty and is just so solid at that right tackle spot. And no one talks about Taylor Decker, but he hasn’t practiced in weeks with a sore shoulder yet. Every Sunday, he’s out there and does a pretty good job. And again, held Miles Garrett without a sack. So, it was the interior of that uh uh Lions offensive line that was a concern earlier in the year, but there was never a doubt, excuse me, that the tackles were going to get the job done. And I think that the matchup certainly with Hendrickson and Shamar and and Osai and whoever you throw out there, I loved Miles Murphy coming out of the draft. It’s obvious the Lions didn’t because they had a need there and didn’t take him. But, um the other thing to watch too on the other side is, and I mentioned before, is the quarterback situation with the Lions. DJ Reid has been a huge pickup for them, but now he’s going to miss multiple weeks with a hamstring. And there’s a likely chance Terion Arnold’s going to need this week off with a sore shoulder. Now, Terion’s not played well. I mean, that’s a first round pick that for the last two years, they keep saying he’s coming, it’s going to get better. Second half of last year was better. Um, but he’s not played well. So, Amique Robertson was kind of taking some of his snaps at outside corner anyway. But now this week, you’re talking about if they could get Jamar Chase and T. Hagen’s up and running and they’re going to go up again. You look at it and go, “Wait a minute. No Arnold, no Reed.” Mhm. Who’s playing? Well, Amique Robertson would play one outside corner. He’s really good. Mostly in the slot, but can do it. Everybody saw him in week 18 last year. Shut Justin Jefferson down when when uh uh Carlton Davis got hurt. And then the other corner is Khil Dorsy, who has never started an NFL game. So, um that’s something to watch there. Do they decide, all right, where’s Dorsy? Where’s number 30? Do we just pick on him and see if he can play? Lions like him. He’s been a depth piece, but now he’s going to be sprung into action on Sunday. Yeah, I I think that’s that’s a matchup. Just you describing it. If the Bengals want to hang in this game, you just you have to get your stars involved. It was a real big theme for me last week. Jamar has to be he has to have one of those 12 to 15 target games. T. Higgins has got to get plenty of opportunities. And when these guys have that 6 to8 target range and Jamar’s averaging five yards a catch, well, you’re just you’re not going to win with that. So, can the Bengals take advantage of that? We’ll see. I I think that is that does give some Bengals fans some hope right there that oh well, the Lions are banged up in the secondary. Let me ask you this. How is their pass rush? Because there isn’t much confidence in this Bengals offensive front right now. Well, I mean, we made a mistake, James, and and our listeners should be mad at us. We’re 16 minutes and 36 seconds in and haven’t said the word the words Aiden Hutchinson yet. No doubt. And that’s a massive mistake on our parts because that Well, I knew he was coming. He’s afraid. Yes. Yes. I mean, may maybe we just teased it, but that dude is balling right now. And slow start coming back from the broken leg last year, first game against Green Bay, like where is he? He was a no-show, but really the whole team was. First half of the Bears game, week two, you’re like, where’s Hutch? And then all of a sudden, here he is in the second half getting in Caleb Williams’s face, forcing some bad throws, some pressures, and then the last two weeks, I mean, two sacks of Lamar Jackson this past week, a sack on Joe Flacco, which look, you and I could sack Joe Flacco, but uh strip sack and just making plays and and I mentioned this on my on my Tuesday show, I believe, um here on Locked on Lions. I mean, he is now the difference maker. They’re there. Everybody’s talked about the edge rusher opposite of Aiden. Why didn’t Brad Holmes go sign anybody? Why didn’t Brad Holmes go draft anybody? Wait till the sixth round to take another edge. Um they’ve had Marcus Davenport. He’s been hurt. Uh Alcadine Muhammad has been really good as a backup, but is now filling in and starting. But it all starts with Hutchinson. If he’s just on, it doesn’t matter what the rest of the Dline’s doing there. It’s going to open things up for them. But he’s been an absolute monster the f the last two weeks. And um I have a feeling you’re going to see the few Bengals patented false starts because they just know uh oh 97 where’s he located and uh and and and he’ll be a menace for sure. Yeah. And that’s that’s what’s so interesting about this matchup is is can they contain the these tackles have had had their issues over the past couple of weeks and so Aiden Hutchinson is going to get his. Can you contain him enough to where you’re able to get the ball to to Jamar and T? And and last week it was kind of the opposite. Nick Bonito is is is a real guy, of course. Yeah. Yeah. But the the Broncos are a bunch of guys and it isn’t one star. It isn’t Miles Garrett and then the rest of the crew. It’s there’s a lot of guys that you’re going to have to worry about and devote attention to and they they just win with with the Lions. Yeah. you’re thinking it’s like the Miles Garrett treatment where it’s it’s two guys, sometimes it’s probably going to be three guys and you just don’t want him to wreck the game. That’s usually what I say during Cleveland week. You don’t want Miles to wreck the game. I think that’s the same thing here with Aiden Hutch. No question. You guys aren’t running the ball at all. Well, I saw dead last. Uh don’t remind me. Is that just because teams now are just loading the box because they know it’s Browning or is it and not Burrow or what’s going on there? No, they have not been good. They’ve not been good run blocking. And that’s that’s scary, too, is it’s like, all right, well, if you’re not gonna pass protect at a high level, which that’s what these guys were brought in to do to protect Joe Burrow, and now you have Jake Browning in and you need need to lean in on the ground game a little bit more than expected. Can you? And the answer so far has been no. Now, the other day, Chase Brown did technically average four yards a carry, but they scored three points. And so, how effective was he really? Uh, it wasn’t that effective. it wasn’t that much of a factor. And I do think that if there is any path for the Bengals to to hold up against Aiden Hutchinson, but to also be consistent on offense with Jake Browning at quarterback, they have to get more out of the ground game and be more consistent and efficient. Not that they’re going to run it 30 times a game. That’s just not who they’re built to be. But they’re probably going to need to run it 15 to 20 and be effective on those 15 to 20 rushes. Uh and and that’s that’s not something we’ve seen so far this year. Even though Chase Brown was an emerging star and they thought he was going to be uh one of their their breakout players this season. That just hasn’t been the case so far. Crazy. Crazy. Well, I mean, I think that Lions Lions are in good shape, but like I said, DJ Reer will be motivated to come back. I don’t think there’s any animosity toward the Bengals, but I I know that that happens a lot. I think he I think there was maybe at the beginning, but I think now it’s been two years, but you you never know. You I feel sometimes I feel sorry for the Bengal. Seems like every time they play somebody that’s left, it’s like, “Oh, let me tell you about the ownership.” It’s like, “Uh oh, here we go.” Right? That time and time again. No doubt. Yeah. Let’s uh let’s discuss maybe DJ Reer, the the David Montgomery storyline, and maybe some paths to victory. I I’m gonna have to really outline these paths to victory for the Bengals because I’m not sure if there are many. We’ll get to that coming up next. Today’s show is brought to you by Game Time. Game time. Well, if you’re making the trip down to Cincinnati, if you’re a Detroit Lions fan, or if you don’t have your tickets yet, Bengals fans, and you want to go watch Sunday’s game, well, game time is the perfect place to go. And Game Time, well, it can take the frustration out of getting tickets to all of your favorite live events. And the app gives the advantage back to the fans. Game time is the fastest and easiest way. Backed by the Game Time guarantee, you always get 100% authentic tickets delivered on time and at the best price. Plus, all fees are included, so the price you see is the price you pay. I used Game Time to go to the NBA Conference Finals. And so, like I said, if you’re making the trip from Detroit, you don’t have tickets yet, don’t fret. It’s no big It’s going to be easy to find them with Game Time. Download the Game Time app, create an account, use code lockdown NFL for $20 off your first purchase. Terms apply. Again, that’s promo code L O C K D O N. Locked on NFL for $20 off. Swipe, tap, ticket, go download game time today. All right, Matt, when I I think of paths to victory here and and just things the Bengals would need to do, they got to jump start this offense somehow. And I just I I naturally assume and lean on Jamar. But when when Joe and Jamar when their backs have been against the wall over the past four plus years when they’ve been teammates here in Cincinnati, I’ve always said, “Well, doubt them at your own risk because they always seem to come up big when their backs are against the wall.” And obviously Joe’s out. And so, how do the Bengals give Jamar the opportunity? I don’t even think he had the opportunity to on Monday Night Football against the Broncos because he just wasn’t given the targets necessary when he was open. When I went back and watched, he was open plenty. So, you got to get Jamar involved. You got to uh be able to to get him in position to to be a game changer. Like, if Aiden Hutchinson can be a game wrecker, Jamar Chase can be a game changer. And so whether it’s 12 to 15 targets, whether it’s just a bunch of downfield targets, I don’t know. But that that’s the first thing for me. And and so what goes into that? Well, you got to make sure Aiden Hutchinson doesn’t wreck it. You got to make sure that Jake Browning sees Jamar and gets him involved early. And if you do that, then then maybe you can get off to a a quick start. Uh because I do think that that’s going to be needed because the Lions are going to be aggressive. They’re going to put up points and they’re certainly not going to be shy on on going for it on fourth down. Well, I think the best way for the Lions to stop all of that is ball control and keep the football and sustain long drives. Two 90 yard drives against the Ravens kept Lamar Jackson off the field. So, yeah, you’re right. The Bengals can make promises. Uh Zack Taylor can say it all week. We got to get Jamar Chase going. He’s the key. Best receiver in the game. Number one fantasy pick. T. Higgins, your tight ends. All of that sounds great. And and and Chase Brown, too. there’s good players there, but if they’re not on the field, they can’t they can’t score. And the Lions, I think with Montgomery and Gibbs, that offensive line running the football, let the clock run down. I’m not saying intentionally, almost kind of just play keep away, but that is what kept Lamar Jackson off the field two weeks ago and gave the Lions a pathway to a win on the road on Monday Night Football. So, I see that I see ball control being key for the Lions. You’re on the road 425 game. Hey, let let’s let’s run the rock and let’s pound it with Montgomery’s coming home. His sister’s going to be in the crowd. Uh uh who’s um uh had a terrible car accident a few years ago and and and and basically is in a wheelchair. She has not seen her brother play live, I don’t think, in a long time. So, an opportunity for him to come home and and and carry the football along with Jamir Gibbs, keep that clock running has been a successful way for the Lions to do business on offense, especially with the play action passing game. So, I think that’s going to be there um for Detroit. And then, you know, we we talked about it before, but I I see a scenario where all right, Browning back just just throw it up into the sky, play some 500 and hope for the flags. Let’s The Bengals have to hope that that the side judges and back judges pick on Khil Dorsy and go all right Dorsy’s being handsy here. It’s Jamar Chase and an unknown corner. Couple of couple of deep shots that turn into flags are just like catches, right? So, I would watch for some DPIs against Dorsia that that they pick on him and see if it works. I I actually think that’s a great point because you can’t get those big plays if you’re not trying them and you’re not pushing the ball down the field. And they do need to find a way to do that in in any way they can. And that’s a scenario that could play out where where the defensive pass interferences are make an impact. You you mentioned the run game and the ball control. The Bengals have to stop the run. I mean, that’s the first thing. I talked about the pressure at the top, but given this Lions offense, if you if you let Jared Goff just hand it off to these guys and they’re getting five a pop, well, it’s over because the play action’s going to work and everything’s going to work and it’s just going to be too tough to contain these guys. It it is. And so I I I think stopping the run or slowing down that that rushing attack for the Lions, that has to be number one. And it doesn’t mean that’s enough to to slow down that entire offense because Jared G can sling it all over. But I I do think it has to start there is is you make sure that David Montgomery and Jamir Gibbs just aren’t running all over you. Because if they do that, then it’s going to open the entire offense up for this Lions Lions team that can obviously score points in a hurry. I I hate to do it, but is there a chance Browning struggles early, the Bluebirds rain down? I mean, they’re they wouldn’t put Brett Ripping in, would they? I don’t think so. I don’t think so. Like, and that’s that’s what’s been kind of annoying to me. Like, I’m totally fine with Jake Browning starting on Sunday, but you need someone that you feel comfortable putting in at some point. And I don’t think it’s Brett Ripen. They have Mike White and Shawn Clifford on the practice squad. I don’t think that’s realistic. They got here a few weeks ago. Yeah. I mean, Brett Ripen got here the start of September after Final Cuts. He wasn’t even here during training camp. So, it’s really tough to envision any of those guys given their experience or lack thereof and and when they got here. So, no, I I don’t think so. But, yeah, there’s you’re right about that. Like, if if it goes if the game goes a certain way, I definitely think the Bluebirds will be out. And that’s why when I did that game time read, by the way, I was like, “Oh, well, Lions fans, if you want to come down, oh, they’re Bengals fans, I’m not I’m not telling you not to come. I just I know how uh how frustrated Bengals fans are right now. That’s all. Well, it’s drivable for Lions fans to get to Cincinnati and uh they will be there. Trust me. Uh just ask the Colts fans last year uh when the Lions fans invaded Lucas Oil. They’ll be there. They’ll be there and loud. So, uh that would be interesting. And I know how Bengals fans feel right now as you said over the last two weeks. And there’s a lot of frustration there. Yeah, for sure. And so I I think going into the last week’s game I said, “Oh, what pressure was on Denver to get to two and two? You didn’t want to fall to one and three.” The pressure is on the Bengals now just to look competent. As weird as that sounds at two and two, like they they just they’ve been so bad. Outscored 76-13 over the past couple of games. And and you’re playing a team in Detroit that is among the NFL’s best. And so it’s a it’s a a tough ask uh to to to go out there and win. It’s the NFL, so you always expect to win, but man, you just got to look better than you have. And I’m not sure they’re going to, but uh that that’s where I’m at ahead of Sunday’s game. And I I think a lot of people here in town feel the same way. Yeah, I I don’t see a scenario where the Lions lose either. And it’s not me being cocky or anything. Like you said, I just think they’re the better team. I think right now without Joe Burrow, that’s a tough ask. like you said, I think unless the Bengals get pressure on golf and force a couple of turnovers and the Lions hand Cincinnati opportunities, um, you know, I I see the Lions winning as well. I think they’ve been real solid on special teams the last couple of weeks. Return to punt this week with Khif Raymond. Kick returns have been better. Like I said, Jack Fox has pins you deep and then you you’re asking Jake Browning and that offense to go 90 yards, 88 yards, whatever. Uh, that’s that’s going to be that’s going to be tough for the Bengals for sure. nationally televised game. This This one was on the schedule looked cool at the start of the year and now you’re like, “Oh man, no, Joe Burrow, that kind of kind of sucks from a matchup standpoint, but I’m sure the Lions in their in their building and Allen Park aren’t really too upset about it.” No, why why wouldn’t you? Why would you be, right? It’s uh Yeah, this should be a it should have been an awesome matchup. I still am excited because there are a lot of players on the lines that I’ve either followed or we’ve mentioned on the pod or obviously the David Montgomery factor. DJ Reer. Hopefully I get to see DJ. It’s good. And by the way, I definitely think he’s he’s gonna be out for revenge. I’m I’m just Go for it. I think he’s definitely gonna be out for revenge. But uh we’re certainly going to have you covered here on Locked on Lions and Locked on Bengals. Win, lose, or draw, we’re always here. So, thank you so much for listening and watching to a special Crossover edition here ahead of week five. And until next time, this has been another Crossover Thursday on the Locked on Podcast Network.

Can the Cincinnati Bengals find a way to upset the Detroit Lions in Week 5?

The Bengals have lost back-to-back games by a combined score 76-13. Meanwhile, the Lions have won three-straight games and are one of the NFL’s best teams.

James Rapien and Matt Dery of Locked On Bengals preview the matchup. They discuss Jake Browning’s struggles, the importance of getting the ball to Ja’Marr Chase, DJ Reader’s return to Cincinnati, why the Lions have been so tough this season, Aiden Hutchinson, their skill players and so much more!

Join the Locked on Bengals Subtext Community: joinsubtext.com/lockedonbengals

Follow & Subscribe on all Podcast platforms…
🎧 https://link.chtbl.com/LOBengals?sid=YouTube

Locked On NFL League-Wide: Every Team, Fantasy, Draft & More
🎧 https://linktr.ee/LockedOnNFL

For your next listen, check out the Locked On Fantasy Football podcast. Get daily insight to the best Fantasy draft strategies so you can win your league this season. Click HERE to listen now. Part of the Locked On Podcast Network. Your Team. Every Day.

Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors!
5-Hour ENERGY
Enough with boring, flavorless caffeine, it’s time to give your caffeine a flavor upgrade with 5-hour ENERGY®️ shots. Get the favorites you love or be bold and try something new in-store and online at https://www.5hourENERGY.com or Amazon today.

Peloton
Let yourself run, lift, flex, and push forward. Explore the new Peloton Cross Training Tread+ today at https://www.onepeloton.com.

Rugiet
Ready to level up your confidence in the bedroom? Head to https://www.rugiet.com and use promo code LOCKEDONNFL for 15% off your first order.

Monarch Money
Take control of your finances with Monarch Money. Use code LOCKEDONNFL at https://monarchmoney.com/lockedonnfl for 50% off your first year.

Square
To learn more, go support your favorite neighborhood spot and see what Square has been up to in your neck of the woods. And then if you have extra time, check out https://square.com/go/lockedonnfl.

PrizePicks
Download the PrizePicks app today and use code LOCKEDONNFL to get $50 in lineups after you play your first $5 lineup.

Gametime
Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDONNFL for $20 off your first purchase. Terms apply. Download Gametime today. What time is it? Gametime.

FanDuel
Right now, new customers can bet just FIVE dollars and if your bet wins—you’ll get THREE HUNDRED dollars in bonus bets to use across the app.

FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN)