Bengals Preseason Victory.
Cincinnati Bengals Defeat Detroit Lions 16-14 in Preseason Opener as Burrow Starts, Flacco Throws TD.
The Cincinnati Bengals defeated the Detroit Lions 16-14 in the preseason opener for both teams, with Joe Burrow taking the first snaps and veteran backup Joe Flacco delivering a touchdown pass in relief. Kicker Evan McPherson added three field goals to seal the win, according to Yahoo Sports.
The result was lopsided in terms of star power on the field. Detroit coach Dan Campbell kept most of his starters out, including quarterback Jared Goff, running back Jahmyr Gibbs, and edge rusher Aidan Hutchinson, per Las Vegas Sun.
Burrow Opens, Flacco Closes With Touchdown Pass
Joe Burrow started under center for Cincinnati, giving fans a look at their franchise quarterback before handing the game over to Joe Flacco. Flacco made the most of his time, throwing a touchdown pass that helped push the Bengals ahead for good, according to BDT Online.
McPherson was the other key contributor, connecting on three field goals. His reliability as a kicker has been a cornerstone of the Bengals offense in recent seasons. The three field goals accounted for nine of Cincinnati's 16 points.
Lions Turnovers Cost Detroit in Close Loss
Detroit committed two turnovers and also turned it over on downs at the Cincinnati 29-yard line late in the first quarter, according to Winnipeg Free Press. Those mistakes proved costly in a two-point game.
The Bengals made Detroit pay directly. Cincinnati turned one of those Lions turnovers into a touchdown in the second quarter, swinging the momentum of the game. In a tight preseason contest, those miscues were the difference between a win and a loss.
Altmyer Carries Detroit's Offense But Struggles With Picks
With Goff sitting out, quarterback Luke Altmyer played the bulk of the snaps for Detroit. He finished 13 of 22 for 130 yards, throwing one touchdown pass, according to News-Gazette. But he also threw two interceptions, which hurt the Lions' chances.
Altmyer is competing for a roster spot behind Goff. His 130 passing yards showed he can move the ball, but the two turnovers he threw will be a point of concern for Detroit's coaching staff heading into the next preseason game.
Campbell Keeps Stars Home as Lions Protect Key Players
Detroit coach Dan Campbell made a clear choice to rest his top talent. Along with Goff, Gibbs, and Hutchinson, most of the Lions' starting unit did not see the field, per Leader-Telegram. Preseason games carry injury risk, and Campbell chose caution over competition.
It is a common approach for teams coming off strong seasons. The Lions reached the NFC Championship Game last year and are considered Super Bowl contenders. Protecting key players in a meaningless August game is a reasonable tradeoff for a team with bigger goals ahead.
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