DETROIT – First it was the Lions blowing out the Browns.
Then it was the Tigers’ playoff win in Cleveland.
Recommended Videos
And on Sunday, the Lions completed Detroit’s conquest of Ohio with a convincing victory against the Bengals in Cincinnati.
The Lions have been the best team in the NFL since their Week 1 loss to the Packers in Green Bay. Last weekend, they blew past the Browns, who had upset the Packers the week prior. This time, it was Cincinnati’s turn to take a beating.
Without star quarterback Joe Burrow, the Bengals didn’t stand a chance. The Lions came out and put together a touchdown drive to open the game, and then doubled their lead to 14 later in the first half.
Cincinnati mustered a sad field goal just before the half to make it 14-3, but the Lions got hot in the third quarter and increased their lead to 28-3 just 10 minutes after the break.
Ja’Marr Chase scored a pair of touchdowns in the fourth after the game had basically already been decided. The Lions immediately responded with a touchdown drive to erase any doubt.
Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery led the way on offense, with Gibbs catching a touchdown pass and Montgomery scoring two total -- one rushing and one passing.
His touchdown pass came out of the wildcat formation, with Montgomery taking the snap and throwing over the middle to a wide open Brock Wright in the end zone.
Sunday was a homecoming for Montgomery, who was born in Cincinnati.
With Gibbs and Montgomery both finding the end zone, they tied Emmitt Smith and Daryl Johnston for the most touchdowns in the same game by a pair of teammates.
Defensively, the Lions made Browning’s life miserable with three interceptions and 11 passes defended.
With the win, the Lions improve to 4-1 and remain in first place in the NFC North. They also pulled into a tie atop the NFC, as the Eagles lost at home to the Broncos.
Next week, the Lions return to Kansas City for a battle with Patrick Mahomes on Sunday Night Football. The game will air on Local 4.