NFL Football
2025-10-05 - Detroit Lions at Cincinnati Bengals
A Sports Betting Pick by FirstDown
United States : NFL Week 5
Sunday 5th October 2025 - Scheduled 4:25pm
9:25pm (British Time)
Preview
After losing in Week 1 to NFC North rivals Green Bay Packers, the Detroit Lions (3-1) had to accept some of the criticism around the performance. After losing earlier than expected in the 2024 Playoffs, Head Coach Dan Campbell will not have been surprised by that, but this is a demanding Coach and the players have responded with three dominant wins.
They are facing the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 6 and so there is a chance that the Detroit Lions will be overlooking Cincinnati Bengals (2-2) who have lost two in a row since Joe Burrow went down with an injury.
Losses alone would not be a cause for panic, but the Bengals have looked completely uncompetitive without Burrow under Center- they have been outscored 76-13 in losing the last two games and Quarter Back Jake Browning has been struggling.
No one will dispute that going from Burrow to Browning is a big downgrade, but the Cincinnati Bengals have not helped their backup in any way.
For starters they have shown an inability to run the ball, even before their star Quarter Back was injured, and the Offensive Line is not expected to open up big holes against this Detroit front. It has meant Jake Browning being in obvious passing situations far too often, and he has been trying to allow the likes of Tee Higgins and Ja'Marr Chase to get down the field, which has led to Sacks.
A healthier Detroit Secondary have been playing well and they do get plenty of pressure up front, which should set the Lions up for some short fields and potential turnovers.
Right now you do not want to give this Detroit team extra Offensive possessions and especially if your own Defensive Line is struggling to make a difference in the run game.
The one-two punch that Detroit continue to run out of the backfield is going to create huge problems for the Cincinnati Bengals and they should have David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs picking up big yards at a time.
Detroit will still give Jared Goff some opportunities to throw the ball and the Quarter Back is going to be in comfortable field position, while he is also going to have a clean pocket when he does drop back to throw. The Bengals Secondary were a cause for concern when the season began and they are not likely to slow down the Lions, which should ultimately lead to a comfortable road win.
It is a big line when you think the Lions are on the road and Jake Browning has not played here since coming in and helping Cincinnati beat the Jacksonville Jaguars. Being at home should just help the Quarter Back, although this Lions team are playing like they are reminding everyone how good they were in 2024 and what kind of ambitions they have in 2025 and that has seen them crush the likes of the Chicago Bears and Cleveland Browns.
The latter's fellow AFC North team do not look like they have the Defensive unit to slow Detroit, and it would be a huge surprise if Jake Browning and the Offense can keep up on the scoreboard.
Prediction
Lay the points with the road favourite, even against a really big line set for the game.
The Pick :
Cincinnati Bengals 13-31 Detroit Lions
FIXED ODDS BETTING TIP :
I'll back Detroit Lions - 10 Points at -110 with Bovada
