By Sunday 
The Detroit Lions made it three straight AFC North wins after taking down the Cincinnati Bengals 37–24 — but it wasn’t the cleanest of victories. The scoreboard might look comfortable, but this game was more of a test of endurance than domination. From big defensive moments to offensive misfires, here are the eight biggest takeaways from Sunday’s wild ride in Cincinnati.
1. Giovanni Manu’s Tough Welcome to the NFL Spotlight
With veteran left tackle Taylor Decker ruled out, second-year tackle Giovanni Manu got the nod — and the Bengals’ Trey Hendrickson wasted no time introducing him to NFL starter life. Manu’s early strip sack of Jared Goff could’ve easily shifted momentum, but to his credit, the young lineman settled in afterward. Still, those late-game sacks were tough to watch. Growing pains, yes, but valuable experience too.
2. Kalif Raymond’s Scary Exit Leaves a Big Void
Kalif Raymond’s early neck injury left fans holding their breath. The veteran returner’s absence forced rookie Dominic Lovett into the return role, and though he held up, Raymond’s reliability and spark are hard to replace. The Lions may need to test out options — Lovett, TeSlaa, maybe even a practice squad elevation — if Raymond misses time.
3. Secondary Shines Despite Injury Chaos
Detroit’s secondary came into this game limping and left it even thinner — yet somehow, they balled out. Amik Robertson intercepted Jake Browning while locking up Ja’Marr Chase, and Rock Ya-Sin made key breakups on Tee Higgins. Even with D.J. Reed on IR and Terrion Arnold later leaving the game, the Lions’ DBs posted seven pass deflections and two picks. That’s elite resilience.
4. The Injury Bug Is Biting Again
Last season, injuries nearly derailed Detroit’s defense, and déjà vu seems to be setting in. Arnold’s shoulder injury and Ya-Sin’s recurring exits left Tre Flowers playing critical snaps. With Kansas City and Tampa Bay looming, the Lions’ depth at corner is dangerously thin — and that’s not ideal when Patrick Mahomes is next.
5. Aidan Hutchinson Deserves More Credit Than the Box Score Shows
Hutchinson’s game was the definition of “impact beyond stats.” Two sacks were erased by questionable flags — one offside, one on an alleged hold that looked like textbook defense. He finally got one that counted, finishing with nine pressures, four tackles, and a forced fumble. Forget the numbers — he’s playing like a top-tier edge rusher.
6. Montgomery Made His Homecoming Count
David Montgomery’s return to his home state was a heartwarming subplot in this gritty win. He rushed for 65 yards and a touchdown — and even tossed a touchdown pass to tight end Brock Wright. For Montgomery, this wasn’t just a game; it was personal. His sister, paralyzed from a past accident, got to see him play in person for the first time since — and he delivered a performance to remember.
7. Officiating Nearly Flipped the Script
Let’s be honest — some of these flags were head-scratchers. A defensive holding call that erased a safety? Two dubious pass interference calls on the same drive? The Lions were penalized eight times for 56 yards, but only half of those seemed justified. Even with the refs doing the Bengals a few favors, Detroit stayed composed and sealed the deal. That’s championship-level maturity.
8. The Offense Needs to Find Its Rhythm — Fast
The elephant in the room: this offense looks sluggish. The Lions have been gifted short fields from turnovers but haven’t consistently capitalized. Goff looked sharp early before the fumble, and then the air just seemed to leave the unit. With the Chiefs and Buccaneers up next, “good enough” won’t cut it. Detroit’s offense has the talent — it just needs the tempo back.
Final Thoughts
The Lions are 5–1 and proving they can win ugly — which is often the mark of a great team. But the upcoming stretch against tougher opponents will demand more polish and fewer self-inflicted mistakes. For now, Detroit can celebrate a road win that tested their depth, discipline, and determination — and came away with a lesson-filled victory that still roared in the right direction.