• Latest
  • Trending
  • All
  • NFL
  • NHL
  • MLB
  • NBA
  • Pro Wrestling
  • MMA
Sep 10, 2017; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Lions wide receiver Marvin Jones (11) and wide receiver Golden Tate (15) celebrate during the game against the Arizona Cardinals at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports

Bengals Preview: Week 16 vs. Lions

December 24, 2017
2021 Dolphins Draft Prospect: Tight end Kyle Pitts

2021 Dolphins Draft Prospect: Tight end Kyle Pitts

April 15, 2021
Chicago Bears Draft Profile: Cornerback Caleb Farley

Chicago Bears Draft Profile: Cornerback Caleb Farley

April 15, 2021
ADVERTISEMENT

2021 Chiefs Draft Prospect: Brady Christensen

April 15, 2021
Las Vegas Raiders Draft Prospect: Safety Richie Grant

2020 Raiders Mock Draft: Mid-April

April 15, 2021
NBA mvp

The Presumptive MVP Is No Joke

April 15, 2021
Winners and Losers on NHL’s Trade Deadline Day

Winners and Losers on NHL’s Trade Deadline Day

April 15, 2021
Karmanos Hired To Help Adams, Eichel Shutdown For The Season

Karmanos Hired To Help Adams, Eichel Shutdown For The Season

April 15, 2021
Falcons Insider: What Happens If Justin Fields Is There When Atlanta’s On The Clock?

Falcons Insider: What Happens If Justin Fields Is There When Atlanta’s On The Clock?

April 14, 2021
Bucs Add Gio Bernard; Re-Sign Steve McLendon

Bucs Add Gio Bernard; Re-Sign Steve McLendon

April 14, 2021
FPC Chiefs 2021 Mock Draft: Holecek 3.0

2021 Chiefs Draft Prospect: Payton Turner

April 14, 2021
Las Vegas Raiders

Raiders Opinion: Rating The Talent

April 14, 2021
New York Jets Now Inherit A Not-So-Flattering “Title”

New York Jets Now Inherit A Not-So-Flattering “Title”

April 14, 2021
  • Apply to Write
  • Contact Us
  • FullPressRadio.com
  • SHOP FPC
  • FullPressHockey.com
  • FullPressWrestling.com


Friday, April 16, 2021
Full Press Coverage
  • Latest
    • Full Press Radio Network
    • Apply to Write
    • Feedback
    • Privacy Policy
  • NFL
    • AFC
      • Baltimore Ravens
      • Buffalo Bills
      • Cincinnati Bengals
      • Cleveland Browns
      • Denver Broncos
      • Houston Texans
      • Indianapolis Colts
      • Jacksonville Jaguars
      • Kansas City Chiefs
      • Las Vegas Raiders
      • Los Angeles Chargers
      • Miami Dolphins
      • New England Patriots
      • New York Jets
      • Pittsburgh Steelers
      • Tennessee Titans
    • NFC
      • Arizona Cardinals
      • Atlanta Falcons
      • Carolina Panthers
      • Chicago Bears
      • Dallas Cowboys
      • Detroit Lions
      • Green Bay Packers
      • Los Angeles Rams
      • Minnesota Vikings
      • New Orleans Saints
      • New York Giants
      • Philadelphia Eagles
      • San Francisco 49ers
      • Seattle Seahawks
      • Tampa Bay Buccaneers
      • Washington Football Club
  • NBA
  • MLB
  • NHL
  • Fantasy Sports
  • Pro Wrestling
  • Other Sports
    • College Sports
    • MMA
    • XFL
    • Futbol
    • AAF
  • Podcasts
    • FPC Radio LIVE
    • Dylan and Ross Save Sports
    • The Eye Test for Two
    • Big Bad Bruins Podcast
    • Black Tuesday
    • Get Off My Lawn
    • The Sap and Kat Show
    • Talkamania
    • Crossbody of Work
    • The Salvaggio and Cratty Sports Podcast
    • All Shows
No Result
View All Result
Full Press Coverage
No Result
View All Result
Home NFL AFC

Bengals Preview: Week 16 vs. Lions

Andy Hammel by Andy Hammel
December 24, 2017
in AFC, AFC North, Cincinnati Bengals, Game Previews
Reading Time: 4min read
0
Sep 10, 2017; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Lions wide receiver Marvin Jones (11) and wide receiver Golden Tate (15) celebrate during the game against the Arizona Cardinals at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports

Sep 10, 2017; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Lions wide receiver Marvin Jones (11) and wide receiver Golden Tate (15) celebrate during the game against the Arizona Cardinals at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports

1.5k
SHARES
3.2k
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

In at least a purely physical sense, the Bengals will be hosting the Detroit Lions this Sunday.

In any sense beyond that – who cares? The Bengals are 5-9. They’re officially 32nd in the NFL in offense, with the 28th-ranked passing unit and 32nd-ranked rushing unit. They’re 0-3 against NFC North opponents this season after losing their last two games to two of them by a combined 14-67. It’s hard to find a team in the NFL that merits less confidence heading into their matchup this weekend.

More FromFPC

2021 Dolphins Draft Prospect: Tight end Kyle Pitts

2021 Dolphins Draft Prospect: Tight end Kyle Pitts

April 15, 2021

2021 Chiefs Draft Prospect: Brady Christensen

April 15, 2021

2020 Raiders Mock Draft: Mid-April

April 15, 2021

2021 Chiefs Draft Prospect: Payton Turner

April 14, 2021

The Lions at least, for their part, aren’t out of it yet. In most seasons and situations, 8-6 is a record that allows a team to control their own playoff destiny. Unfortunately, the NFC has six teams that currently have nine wins or more. Three of them are in the NFC South, and all three – the Falcons, Panthers and Saints – have a head-to-head tiebreaker over the Lions. The starting point for the Lions’ playoff hopes is the Falcons (currently at 9-5) losing out, then winning out themselves. It’s not inconceivable, given their respective remaining schedules, but it’s not where a team wants to be two weeks out.

That being said, what does that matter to the Bengals faithful? Sunday will be Christmas Eve. Go play in the snow. Bake a ham. Watch a Christmas movie or two. Talk to your family – you might have grandparents or grandchildren or something, find out who they are. Cook up a meatloaf, plant an aluminum pole, air your grievances. If all else fails, just watch the other game available in your area in the 1:00pm ET time slot. Assuming you have one, of course – CBS may be throwing you Jacksonville @ San Francisco in the late afternoon slot instead.

If somehow, with all these things considered, you still want to spend your afternoon watching the Bengals? All I have left to give you is a preview.

 

Injury Report

Bengals
OUT: OT Cedric Ogbuehi, OT Andre Smith, LB Nick Vigil
QUESTIONABLE: S George Iloka

Also listed: LB Vontaze Burfict, CB Darqueze Dennard, FB Ryan Hewitt, HB Brian Hill, CB Dre Kirkpatrick, HB Joe Mixon, LB Vincent Rey, S Shawn Williams

Lions
OUT: C Travis Swanson
DOUBTFUL: G T.J. Lang
QUESTIONABLE: DT Rodney Coe, OT Brian Mihalik, OT Ricky Wagner

Also listed: DE Dwight Freeney, HB Theo Riddick

 

Line

OddsShark Predicted Score: Detroit 23.1, Cincinnati 23.0
Spread Consensus: Detroit -3
Over/Under: 44

 

Analysis

Vegas only giving the Lions a 0.1 point advantage seems borderline disrespectful. Do the Bengals truly have that close of a shot?

For one, injuries aren’t as actively working against the Cincinnati roster as they were earlier in the month. Ogbuehi and Smith are still out at offensive tackle, and their absences alone could still be daunting to the Bengals. The defense, however, is where the team was most sorely lacking starting personnel. Having Kirkpatrick and Dennard both healthy to flank William Jackson substantially helps the secondary. Having Burfict back at linebacker for the first time since Monday night against the Steelers helps the entire defense.

On offense, the Lions aren’t as wholly inept as the Bengals are – but their running game is. The Lions are notorious for how long they’ve been without a player reaching 100 rushing yards in a game. Reggie Bush most recently accomplished that for them, on Thanksgiving back in 2013. As far as seasonal ground production in 2017, the Lions are lead by third-year back Ameer Abdullah. At 513 yards on 151 attempts, Abdullah has an average 3.4 yards-per-carry mark and ranks as the 34th-leading rusher in the NFL.

The ground game will only look worse on Sunday if the Lions miss both Swanson and Lang. Which will just mean – as they too often do – the Lions will lean on Matthew Stafford to carry the offense.

On one hand, that’s hardly a bad place to be in 2017 – Stafford is among the league’s best quarterbacks outright. He operates fine in an offense that uses Golden Tate, Marvin Jones, and Theo Riddick as the top receiving threats. On the other hand, that’s still a limited hand to play, and one the Bengals would prefer to play against. Riddick and Tate excel as short-area catch-and-run players, which allows the Lions to pass out of running situations. This should allow the Bengals to play more out of pass sets defensively – where their best talent can come out. Vigil still being out at LB further drives that point – Vincent Rey shouldn’t be on the field as a third linebacker.

Instead, with health returning to other players, perhaps Dennard can play the slot and Fedejelem the dime. Perhaps Carl Lawson can come out from under the dust that’s been allowed to collect on him? That’s especially worth wondering about if Wagner misses the game for the Lions, although that’s less likely.

As for the Bengals’ offense – the Lions have pretty average guys on the edge behind Ezekiel Ansah. They might be negated, but there’s no way to reliably project that in advance. A.J. Green will have his hands full every time he lines up across from Darius Slay. Glover Quin in the secondary isn’t a slouch either; Nevin Lawson and Quandre Diggs have had moments. Linebacker, for the most part, is the weak link of the position groups. Outside of rookie Jarrod Davis, who still has yet to fully develop, other ‘backers on the Lions could be replaces sooner than most think.

It’s a more evenly matched game that the last two were, if it can claim nothing else.

 

Prediction

Bengals 20, Lions 24

 

– Andy Hammel is the Managing Editor for Full Press Coverage Bengals and the Division Editor for Full Press AFC North. Follow @Andy_Hammel Follow @FPC_Bengals Follow @FPC_AFCN

Tags: 2017AFC NorthBengalsCincinnatiCincinnati BengalsfeaturedPreviewWeek 16
Share597Tweet373
Previous Post

Chargers Preview: Bolts Look to Keep Jets Grounded

Next Post

Chiefs/Dolphins: Keys to Victory

Andy Hammel

Andy Hammel

NFL National team contributor, former managing editor for the Cincinnati Bengals.

Next Post
Kansas City Chiefs running back Kareem Hunt

Chiefs/Dolphins: Keys to Victory

Patriots Dispatches: Cannon, Firepower and Steel

Patriots Have No Margin for Error as Playoffs Approach

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

A Twitter List by iglen31

FPC Podcasts

  • Ep #101: Chiefs Draft Deep Dive: EDGE Defenders
    by Full Press Coverage on April 16, 2021 at 1:00 pm

    Your browser does not support the audio element. But you can check this for the original link: https://pdst.fm/e/chtbl.com/track/G481GD/traffic.megaphone.fm/ADV8313092791.mp3
  • Ep.92: The Money Weeks
    by Full Press Coverage on April 16, 2021 at 5:00 am

    Your browser does not support the audio element. But you can check this for the original link: https://pdst.fm/e/chtbl.com/track/G481GD/traffic.megaphone.fm/ADV4672305224.mp3?updated=1618545913
  • 4/15 - Jackie Robinson and April 15th Events in History
    by Full Press Coverage on April 15, 2021 at 11:43 pm

    Your browser does not support the audio element. But you can check this for the original link: https://pdst.fm/e/chtbl.com/track/G481GD/traffic.megaphone.fm/ADV9915134619.mp3?updated=1618530891
  • 4/13 - Julian Edelman Announces Retirement; John Sapochetti Joins
    by Full Press Coverage on April 15, 2021 at 11:38 pm

    Your browser does not support the audio element. But you can check this for the original link: https://pdst.fm/e/chtbl.com/track/G481GD/traffic.megaphone.fm/ADV3225073047.mp3?updated=1618530847
  • The Pick and Roll NBA Podcast W/ Jet and Sap - EP 39 - Another Day, Another Kevin Durant Feud
    by Full Press Coverage on April 15, 2021 at 6:45 pm

    Your browser does not support the audio element. But you can check this for the original link: https://api.spreaker.com/download/episode/44340024/pick_4_16.mp3
  • Ep. 235: No Days Off From BS
    by Full Press Coverage on April 15, 2021 at 3:03 pm

    Your browser does not support the audio element. But you can check this for the original link: https://pdst.fm/e/chtbl.com/track/G481GD/traffic.megaphone.fm/ADV4580386003.mp3?updated=1618499004
  • The Pick and Roll NBA Podcast W/ Jet and Sap - EP 38 - Can the Nuggets Survive Jamal Murray's Injury?
    by Full Press Coverage on April 15, 2021 at 2:33 am

    Your browser does not support the audio element. But you can check this for the original link: https://api.spreaker.com/download/episode/44339200/pick_4_15.mp3
  • Ep 44: Randy Gradishar and The Orange Crush Defense With Joe Collier
    by Full Press Coverage on April 15, 2021 at 12:30 am

    Your browser does not support the audio element. But you can check this for the original link: https://api.spreaker.com/download/episode/44338813/eyetest_ep44.mp3
  • #FreeClint
    by Full Press Coverage on April 14, 2021 at 11:27 pm

    Your browser does not support the audio element. But you can check this for the original link: https://pdst.fm/e/chtbl.com/track/G481GD/traffic.megaphone.fm/ADV3541636312.mp3
  • Ep 72: Offensive Draft Preview
    by Full Press Coverage on April 14, 2021 at 9:39 pm

    Your browser does not support the audio element. But you can check this for the original link: https://pdst.fm/e/chtbl.com/track/G481GD/traffic.megaphone.fm/ADV8976838197.mp3?updated=1618436588

  • 4/15 - Jackie Robinson and April 15th Events in History
    by Full Press Coverage on April 15, 2021 at 11:43 pm

    Your browser does not support the audio element. But you can check this for the original link: https://api.spreaker.com/download/episode/44352891/adv1580103741.mp3
  • 4/13 - Julian Edelman Announces Retirement; John Sapochetti Joins
    by Full Press Coverage on April 15, 2021 at 11:38 pm

    Your browser does not support the audio element. But you can check this for the original link: https://api.spreaker.com/download/episode/44352890/adv8133226208.mp3
  • 4/12 - Weekend Wrap, Vaccine Recap, Ed O'Neal, NHL Trade Deadline
    by Full Press Coverage on April 12, 2021 at 1:59 pm

    Your browser does not support the audio element. But you can check this for the original link: https://api.spreaker.com/download/episode/44303436/adv5842490920.mp3
  • 4/9 - Wrestlemania, 2024 Glendon/D'Abate Ticket, and Julian Edelman
    by Full Press Coverage on April 9, 2021 at 2:02 pm

    Your browser does not support the audio element. But you can check this for the original link: https://api.spreaker.com/download/episode/44272056/adv5505172386.mp3
  • 4/8 - More Cowbell, Sports Movies, Space Adventures, and More
    by Full Press Coverage on April 8, 2021 at 2:28 pm

    Your browser does not support the audio element. But you can check this for the original link: https://api.spreaker.com/download/episode/44258247/adv6567559796.mp3
  • 4/7 - Documentaries, Aaron Rodgers, and More With John Sapochetti
    by Full Press Coverage on April 7, 2021 at 2:29 pm

    Your browser does not support the audio element. But you can check this for the original link: https://api.spreaker.com/download/episode/44242041/adv1869381289.mp3
  • 4/6 - Baylor Beats Gonzaga, Vaccines and Gil Hill, Sam Darnold To Panthers
    by Full Press Coverage on April 6, 2021 at 2:53 pm

    Your browser does not support the audio element. But you can check this for the original link: https://api.spreaker.com/download/episode/44221388/adv9103610065.mp3
  • 4/5 - Married With Children, Vaccines, Red Sox, and More
    by Full Press Coverage on April 5, 2021 at 11:27 pm

    Your browser does not support the audio element. But you can check this for the original link: https://api.spreaker.com/download/episode/44211047/adv7870235805.mp3
  • 3/30 - John Sapochetti Joins The Show
    by Full Press Coverage on March 31, 2021 at 6:17 pm

    Your browser does not support the audio element. But you can check this for the original link: https://api.spreaker.com/download/episode/44133895/adv6448062767.mp3
  • 3/29 - Dolphins/49ers Trade; Jimmy G's Future; Cam and The Patriots
    by Full Press Coverage on March 29, 2021 at 2:27 pm

    Your browser does not support the audio element. But you can check this for the original link: https://api.spreaker.com/download/episode/44099239/adv6405979487.mp3

  • 37 Thoughts on Wrestlemania 37 Night Two
    by Evan Gomes on April 12, 2021 at 2:09 pm

    37 Thoughts About Wrestlemania 37 Night Two 1. No rain delays on our Wrestlemania Sunday. It was a […]

  • Wrestlemania 37 Night Two Predictions
    by Evan Gomes on April 11, 2021 at 5:17 pm

    Wrestlemania 37 Night Two Predictions After an exciting Night One, we’ve still got another round […]

  • 37 Thoughts on Wrestlemania 37 Night One
    by Evan Gomes on April 11, 2021 at 3:45 am

    37 Thoughts on Wrestlemania 37 Night One The weather at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa had the […]

  • Wrestlemania 37 Night One Predictions
    by Evan Gomes on April 10, 2021 at 8:34 pm

    Wrestlemania 37 Night One Predictions The Showcase of The Immortals is here! Wrestlemania 37 is […]

  • Crossbody of Work Episode 58: Beth Phoenix
    by Evan Gomes on April 10, 2021 at 2:05 pm

    Welcome to Crossbody of Work, a show where we break down a wrestler’s career through five of […]

More Wrestling News

  • Quick Impressions Of The Montreal Canadiens Trade Deadline
    by Chris Wassel on April 15, 2021 at 5:54 pm

    So, what did Marc Bergevin do? Let's take a peek at what Montreal did this trade deadline season. […]

  • Cleveland Rolls Through Rochester in New York
    by Elaine Shircliff on April 15, 2021 at 4:33 pm

    The Cleveland Monsters took down their Lake Erie foe, the Rochester Americans, for the second game […]

  • Karmanos Hired To Help Adams, Eichel Shutdown For The Season
    by Michael Augello on April 15, 2021 at 2:01 am

    On Wednesday the Sabres announced the hiring of Jason Karmanos as the club’s Associate General […]

  • Winners and Losers on NHL’s Trade Deadline Day
    by Adam Proteau on April 14, 2021 at 7:14 pm

    Who are the winners and losers of the 2021 NHL Trade Deadline? The post Winners and Losers on […]

  • A New Jersey Devils Exhale Post NHL Trade Deadline
    by Chris Wassel on April 14, 2021 at 1:46 pm

    It has been an ugly season since COVID ravaged the New Jersey Devils. The post A New Jersey Devils […]

More Hockey News

  • Ep 59: Bruins Swing Big At Trade Deadline
    by Full Press Coverage on April 12, 2021 at 9:48 pm

    Ian and Chris welcome in Mike Cratty to discuss the trade acquisitions of […]

    Your browser does not support the audio element. But you can check this for the original link: https://anchor.fm/s/cc094d0/podcast/play/31287822/https%3A%2F%2Fd3ctxlq1ktw2nl.cloudfront.net%2Fstaging%2F2021-3-12%2Ff58714b8-6022-3934-eaa5-6290cfb68d8c.mp3
  • Ep 58: Chris' Trip To TD Garden, Bruins Trade Target Goes Elsewhere, Injuries, and the Capitals
    by Full Press Coverage on April 8, 2021 at 6:33 pm

    Ian and Chris discuss Blackey's return to the Garden, the Islanders trade […]

    Your browser does not support the audio element. But you can check this for the original link: https://anchor.fm/s/cc094d0/podcast/play/30997504/https%3A%2F%2Fd3ctxlq1ktw2nl.cloudfront.net%2Fstaging%2F2021-3-8%2Ff5ad8b3a-4858-ae42-2228-24fde2fee0c2.mp3
  • Ep 57: Trade Deadline Talk w/ Mike Cratty
    by Full Press Coverage on April 1, 2021 at 5:34 pm

    Mike Cratty joins Ian and Chris to discuss the Bruins win over the Devils, […]

    Your browser does not support the audio element. But you can check this for the original link: https://anchor.fm/s/cc094d0/podcast/play/30509893/https%3A%2F%2Fd3ctxlq1ktw2nl.cloudfront.net%2Fstaging%2F2021-3-1%2Feda15c50-e46c-8460-b62e-0f602613cda3.mp3
Full Press Coverage

© 2020 Full Press Coverage

Navigate Site

  • Staff Portal
  • Apply to Write
  • Contact Us
  • Have a news tip?
  • Privacy Policy
  • FPC Radio Network
  • NFL
  • NBA
  • MLB
  • FullPressHockey.com

Follow Us

No Result
View All Result
  • Latest
    • Full Press Radio Network
    • Apply to Write
    • Feedback
    • Privacy Policy
  • NFL
    • AFC
      • Baltimore Ravens
      • Buffalo Bills
      • Cincinnati Bengals
      • Cleveland Browns
      • Denver Broncos
      • Houston Texans
      • Indianapolis Colts
      • Jacksonville Jaguars
      • Kansas City Chiefs
      • Las Vegas Raiders
      • Los Angeles Chargers
      • Miami Dolphins
      • New England Patriots
      • New York Jets
      • Pittsburgh Steelers
      • Tennessee Titans
    • NFC
      • Arizona Cardinals
      • Atlanta Falcons
      • Carolina Panthers
      • Chicago Bears
      • Dallas Cowboys
      • Detroit Lions
      • Green Bay Packers
      • Los Angeles Rams
      • Minnesota Vikings
      • New Orleans Saints
      • New York Giants
      • Philadelphia Eagles
      • San Francisco 49ers
      • Seattle Seahawks
      • Tampa Bay Buccaneers
      • Washington Football Club
  • NBA
  • MLB
  • NHL
  • Fantasy Sports
  • Pro Wrestling
  • Other Sports
    • College Sports
    • MMA
    • XFL
    • Futbol
    • AAF
  • Podcasts
    • FPC Radio LIVE
    • Dylan and Ross Save Sports
    • The Eye Test for Two
    • Big Bad Bruins Podcast
    • Black Tuesday
    • Get Off My Lawn
    • The Sap and Kat Show
    • Talkamania
    • Crossbody of Work
    • The Salvaggio and Cratty Sports Podcast
    • All Shows

© 2020 Full Press Coverage