Cincinnati Bengals Big Favorites Over Detroit Lions

NFL News - November 30th, 2009 - Written by John

The Cincinnati Bengals have seen this scenario before, and uncharacteristically flopped. So, they will try to avoid a surprising upset this week when they host the Detroit Lions on Sunday to keep them a full two games ahead in the AFC North.

NFL Betting lines show the Bengals are favored by 13 points over Detroit, according to BetUS, with a total of 42 projected points.

As mentioned, Cincinnati has been in this position before when they were double-digit favorites over the Oakland Raiders two weeks ago, only to lose 20-17 when Sebastian Janikowski kicked a game-winning 33-yard field goal. The Bengals are still leaders in the division with an 8-3 record, but they aren't without pressure.

Although up-and-down all year, the Baltimore Ravens are currently on the move behind them with an overtime win over the Pittsburgh Steelers, and it would be pertinent to the Bengals to maintain the momentum in the division.

They were able to take care of business last week in a 16-7 win over the Cleveland Browns, although they weren't able to cover the 11-point spread. Carson Palmer threw for 110 yards and a score, and Larry Johnson made a surprise impact with 107 yards rushing on 22 carries.

Meanwhile, Detroit fell back to earth after an emotional 38-37 win over the Browns two weeks ago.

Matthew Stafford was picked off four times by the Green Bay Packers in a 34-12 loss on Thanksgiving. At 2-9, they are still one of the easily beatable teams in the league with the worst-rated defense and 26th-ranked offense. Stafford is second to only Jay Cutler in interceptions with 18, and a 25th-ranked running game hasn't helped.

The Bengals will likely get Cedric Benson back this week, making an interesting tandem brewing between he and Johnson with already the league's seventh-best rushing attack.

The Bengals beat the Lions, 41-17, in their only meeting this decade.