| 05 December 2009
Kickoff: Sunday, December 6, 1 p.m. ET
Stadium: Paul Brown Stadium, Cincinnati
Television: FOX
Play-By-Play: Thom Brennaman
Color: Brian Billick
Lions Radio Network: 97.1 FM The Ticket (WXYT-FM)
Play-By-Play: Dan Miller
Color: Jim Brandstatter
Sidelines: Tony Ortiz
2009 Records: Lions, 2-9 Bengals, 8-3
Last meeting: 12/18/05, Bengals 41 - Lions 17
Series: Bengals 6 - Lions 3
Line: Bengals -13, over/under 42
Semi-interesting factoids:
Straight from Lions' PR: The Lions’ 38-37 win over the Cleveland Browns (11/22) marked the first time since 1957 that the Lions trailed by 21 points in a game and won. The Lions actually came back three different times in the game (21, 3 and 6 points). The Lions were powered by QB Matthew Staff ord’s 422 yards (set NFL rookie single-game record) and five touchdown passes (set team rookie single game record; tied team single-game and NFL rookie single game record). The last time Detroit came from at least 21 points down to claim victory was October 20, 1957 vs. Baltimore. That season, the Lions claimed the comeback win vs. Baltimore, and they came from 20 points down at San Francisco during the 1957 playoff game in perhaps the most famous comeback, known as “Comeback at Kezar,” in Lions history.
Straight from Bengals' PR: The first game of the series, on Sept. 27, 1970, was played at Detroit’s historic Tiger Stadium. The Lions won, 38-3. It was the first year after the NFL-AFL merger, and it was the Bengals’ first game against an old-line NFL team. The Bengals had opened the 1970 season against Oakland, one of their AFL rivals from ’68-69. For 16 years, until 1986, the ’70 loss to the Lions stood as the team’s largest losing margin in a game. The Lions also won the second game of the series, 23-19 at Cincinnati in 1974, but the Bengals have won six of the last seven.
Just the stats, please:
What to watch: Last week Calvin Johnson moved about as fluidly running routes as I do getting out of bed after not taking my arthirtis meds for a day. It was obvious Megatron could not move well, and was playing in pain. He deserves kudoes for getting on the field, but his performance was lacking. The Lions need all cylinders firing in order to have even a slight chance of winning. With Johnson ailing, they have no chance.
Same for Matthew Stafford. He showed plenty of guts in playing with a seperated shoulder, but he just couldn't make the plays, as 4 picks testify. Again, the Lions need their best players in top form in order to have a shot at just staying in games,let alone avoiding a blow out.
If Stafford and Johnson are less than 100%, the Lions have no chance in Hell. Even if they are 100% healthy, and considering their injuries, it's a stretch to think they will be, the Lions chances are barely above nil.
It's all about small victories for the Lions. such as Stafford continuing to make progress, Megatron forming a connection with his quarterback, Bryant Johnson not dropping passes, Louis Delams not getting fined, Kevin Smith staying upright after being touched.
The Lions aren't going to win another game. So small victories are all we got, folks.
Prediction: A very boring, very thorough, Lions loss. The Detroit defense cannot do a thing to stop Cincy's running game, as the Bengals grind out big yards on the ground, dominating the clock at least 2 to 1. The only reason it won't be a total blowout on the scoreboard is the Bengals will hold the ball for so long, they'll be limited in the number of possessions.
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