Detroit Lions vs Cincinnati Bengals Picks and Prediction for Thursday August 13 2026
Lions Preview
The NFL preseason week one schedule will get started on Thursday night with a battle between the Detroit Lions and the Cincinnati Bengals from Paycor Stadium. Get ready for all the football action with our NFL Picks. The Lions (9-8) were a historically good offense two seasons ago, but saw their points per game drop five points to 28.3 last year. RB Jahmyr Gibbs (1,223 rush yds) is a special talent and will run behind an improved offensive line. QB Jared Goff finished second in the NFL with 4.564 passing yards and his top target Amon-Ra St. Brown has eclipsed 1,000 receiving yards in four consecutive seasons.
The Detroit Lions finished in the middle of the pack in total yards allowed and gave up 24.3 points per contest. All-Pro DE Aidan Hutchinson is a game-wrecker and finished fourth in the NFL with 14.5 sacks. Fourth year LB Jack Campbell has increased his tackles total each season and forced four fumbles in 2025.
Bengals Preview
The Cincinnati Bengals have missed the playoffs in three straight seasons and are in search of their first Super Bowl title in franchise history. Everything fell apart for the Bengals (6-11) in 2025, but there is plenty of reason for optimism this year. QB Joe Burrow is healthy and throws to arguably the best WR tandem in the league. Ja’Marr Chase (1,412 rec yds) and Tee Higgins (846 rec yds) combined for 19 touchdowns last season.
In 2025, Cincinnati ranked second worst in total defense and surrendered a shade below 29 points per game. Sack specialist Trey Hendrickson departed for division rival Baltimore, but Cincinnati bolstered their run defense by trading for DT Dexter Lawrence.
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Lions vs Bengals Pick
These teams will benefit from two of the easiest schedules in the league and should be major factors in the postseason picture. Cincinnati head coach Zac Taylor is 4-14 SU and ATS in the preseason. Take the Lions plus the points. Final Score Prediction, Cincinnati Bengals win 20-17.
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