Quarterback play can often be erratic in the preseason with so many backups getting considerable playing time, but the Detroit Lions passers put together a nice showing in last week’s debut. They will aim to keep it up in Week 2 of the preseason against the Cincinnati Bengals. The Lions have several new receiving targets and many of them got in on the action in the opening win. The Bengals hope their new targets can make similar strides in this showdown.
This Week 2 preseason contest will be held on Thursday, August 18th, 2016, at 7:30 p.m. ET at Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan.
Odds Analysis
The Bengals are the better team, with a deep reservoir of talent on both sides of the ball. Their starters saw a decent amount of time in the opener and if they play a full quarter, that could be enough to tip the outcome to their side.
However, the Lions did well in their first preseason game offensively when most teams struggled, and would love to repeat that. The spread should be close in this one, with the game capable of going either way.
Quarterback Rotation
Matthew Stafford played in his first game without star receiver Calvin Johnson, who retired in the offseason, and went 4-of-6 for 58 yards in a 30-17 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers to open the preseason. He could attempt somewhere around 10 passes, and if one can go to the end zone it would greatly help the Lions’ chances.
Backup quarterback Dan Orlovsky finished his first appearance 16-of-25 for 164 yards with a touchdown and an interception. Rookie Jake Rudock equipped himself well, throwing for 72 yards and a touchdown, and all three should once again see time in this contest.
Bengals starter Andy Dalton was 4-of-5 for 32 yards in his return after his season was derailed by injury last season. That was an important step for Dalton but he might not need to play a ton more than that in this contest. A.J. McCarron got the bulk of the work in the 17-16 preseason loss to the Vikings, finishing 11-of-16 for 125 yards and a touchdown.
The other quarterbacks who could see action for the Bengals against the Lions are Joe Licata and Keith Wenning, who both threw a pick in the preseason opener.
Coaching History
Detroit Lions coach Jim Caldwell is under .500 in his preseason career at 9-12, but has had much success of late. Caldwell is 7-2 n the past two-plus preseasons and will aim to win three or more games once again this year. That record isn’t necessarily predictive, but it shows that the Lions have found preseason success under Caldwell.
Bengals coach Marvin Lewis is 28-26 in his preseason career. Lewis has gone .500 or better in the preseason since 2012 but is 0-1 this year. He went undefeated in the preseason back in 2006 and has never gone winless in the exhibition slate up to this point.
Free ATS Pick
Both teams seem willing to play their starters for a significant chunk of time, which could give the edge to the roster with more talent, which is the Bengals. Dalton and A.J. Green are a big-time passing duo, while Giovani Bernard and Jeremy Hill could make some noise on the ground early on. It’s always a crapshoot once the backups get in the game, but if the Bengals can grab an early lead over the Lions, it could lead them to victory in Week 2 of the preseason in NFL wagering.
NFL Odds: Bengals 24, Lions 14
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