Detroit Lions at Cincinnati Bengals Line

The 2-9 Detroit Lions take on the 8-3 Cincinnati Bengals this Sunday in a Week 13 non-conference clash. Last week, the Lions fell yet again on Thanksgiving day, suffering a 34-12 loss to the Packers. It was a particularly rough day for rookie QB Matthew Stafford, who threw four interceptions. It wasn’t pretty, but the Bengals completed the season sweep against in-state and division rival Cleveland with a 16-7 win. These two teams have not met since the 2005 season when the Bengals rolled 41-17 to clinch the division. Cincy has won six of the last seven meetings and owns a 6-3 lead in the all-time series. NFL odds makers have listed the Cincinnati Bengals as a 13-point favorite with the total set at 42.

Cincinnati has a big time matchup with the Minnesota Vikings up next so it can’t afford to get caught looking ahead here. Hopefully its loss at Oakland will keep the Bengals from taking any opponent lightly the rest of the way.

The good news for Cincy is that it is expected to get running back Cedric Benson back this week. Benson has missed two games with a hip injury and the Bengals have missed him. Benson needs just 141 more yards to record his first 1,000-yard season in the NFL. Benson has helped the Bengals boast the NFL’s seventh-best running attack.

The Bengals started making major strides defensively toward the end of last season and that improvement has carried over. It has really been the defense that has helped the Bengals to the top of the AFC North. Cincy leads the NFL in scoring defense, only allowing 15.8 points per game, and that number is down to 14.0 points per game when playing at home. It is worth noting that the Lions are 0-4-1 ATS on the road this season.

It’s been an up and down season for rookie QB Matthew Stafford. After playing well in a comeback win against the Browns, Stafford struggled mightily against the Packers last week. The Lions won’t have a chance if Stafford does not play well Sunday. If Detroit can get Kevin Smith and the running game going it will make life much easier on Stafford. Smith is perhaps the best running back you don’t here much about. He needs only 30 yards to reach the 1,000 yards from scrimmage mark for the second straight season.

Also, keep in mind that the Lions have had three extra days to prepare for this one. It is worth noting that the Bengals are just 1-7 ATS in their last 8 games as a home favorite.