Lions vs. Bengals Prediction, Odds, Spread, Trends for NFL Preseason Week 1

The first week of the NFL Preseason is finally here, and the action will start on Thursday with a showdown between the Detroit Lions and Cincinnati Bengals.

Both teams are hoping to bounce back after disappointing 2025 campaigns that saw them both miss the postseason. As I wrote in my NFL season betting preview, 32 Bets for 32 Teams, I think there's a strong chance we'll see each team contend in their respective conferences this season.

Before either team worries about that, they have to figure out their 52-man roster, which will be done throughout the preseason. The Lions are expected to rest the vast majority of their starters, but Bengals head coach Zac Taylor has said his starters, including Joe Burrow and Ja'Marr Chase, will see the field on Thursday.

Let's dive into the odds and my best bet for this exhibition showdown.

Lions vs. Bengals Odds, Spread, and Total for Preseason Week 1

Odds via DraftKings Sportsbook

Spread

Lions +6.5 (-105)
Bengals -6.5 (-115)

Moneyline

Lions +215
Bengals -265

Total

OVER 38.5 (-115)
UNDER 38.5 (-105)

Lions vs. Bengals How to Watch Preseason Week 1

Date: Thursday, August 13
Time: 7:00 p.m. ET
Venue: Paycor Stadium
How to Watch (TV): Fox 2, Bengals Preseason TV Network
Lions record: 0-0
Bengals record: 0-0

Lions vs. Bengals Preseason Betting Trends

Dan Campbell is 6-10 straight up and 7-9 against the spread as head coach in the preseason
Zac Taylor is 4-14 straight up and 4-14 against the spread as head coach in the preseason

Lions vs. Bengals Key Player to Watch

Luke Altmyer, QB - Detroit Lions

With Teddy Bridgewater announcing his retirement, the Lions now have to figure out who will back up Jared Goff. They signed Joshua Dobbs, but I expect Luke Altmyer to get plenty of reps on Thursday. He's an undrafted rookie out of Illinois, where he threw for 3,007 yards, 22 touchdowns, and five interceptions in his senior season. Whether or not the Lions can cover the spread as significant underdogs in this game will come down to how Altmyer performs at quarterback.

Lions vs. Bengals Prediction and Best Bet

The two main things to consider when betting on the NFL: How many starters are playing and how each coach treats the preseason.

Taylor announced this week that Burrow, Chase, Higgins, and Lawrence will see the field on Thursday, which is different from how he's handled the preseason in the past, when he rested all of his starters. The Bengals have historically gotten off to slow starts in the regular season under Taylor, so it's clear he wants his players to hit their stride before the games start to count. That's why I'm willing to throw out Taylor's previous preseason coaching record.

Meanwhile, Dan Campbell has announced that he will be keeping his starters sidelined. I also expect them to lean on undrafted rookie quarterback Luke Altmyer throughout the game.

A 6.5-point spread is surprising to see in a preseason game, but it makes sense when you consider how each coach will be handling the game. I'll lay the 6.5 points with the Bengals, who clearly want to start their preseason on the right foot.

Pick: Bengals -6.5 (-115) via DraftKings

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