Bengals Edge Lions 16-14 in Preseason Opener
In a preseason opener, the Cincinnati Bengals defeated the Detroit Lions 16-14. Joe Burrow saw limited action, with backup Joe Flacco throwing a touchdown pass. Evan McPherson contributed three field goals for the Bengals. The Lions' starters, including quarterback Jared…
Cincinnati, OH, August 13, 2026 —
The Cincinnati Bengals secured a narrow 16-14 victory over the Detroit Lions in their preseason opener. The game saw limited action from key players on both sides as teams evaluated their rosters.
For the Bengals, quarterback Joe Burrow saw brief playing time. Backup quarterback Joe Flacco demonstrated his capability by throwing a touchdown pass during his appearance. Kicker Evan McPherson was instrumental in the Bengals’ scoring, successfully converting three field goals throughout the contest.
The Detroit Lions opted to keep their starters, including quarterback Jared Goff, on the sidelines for the entire game, focusing on evaluating other rostered players. Despite the absence of their starting offense, the Lions mounted a late comeback attempt that put pressure on the Bengals’ lead.
The Bengals’ victory was achieved despite facing some pressure on Burrow during his snaps and the Lions’ late surge. The preseason matchup provided an early look at the teams’ depth and performance ahead of the regular season.
Story summarized from the original created by Joe Reedy | Associated Press on www.wcpo.com, see more information here.