Lions vs. Bengals Prediction, Betting Pick, Latest NFL Preseason Odds for Thursday, August 13th
Detroit Lions faces Cincinnati Bengals at 7 PM ET on Thursday, August 13, at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati. Can Detroit’s young roster withstand an early appearance from Joe Burrow and Cincinnati’s stars, or will the game change completely once the starters leave? Check out this Detroit Lions vs. Cincinnati Bengals prediction and best bet for August 13.
Peter Alexis - August 13, 2026, 5:00 PM EDT
4 Minute ReadLions vs. Bengals Prediction: Can Joe Burrow Build Big Advantage as Early Starter?
Cincinnati opens the preseason as a seven-point favorite, with the Bengals -7 (-108), Detroit +7 (-112) and the total at 37.5. The Bengals are -290 on the moneyline, while the Lions are +235. Detroit finished last season 9-8 and missed the playoffs, while Cincinnati went 6-11 and finished third in the AFC North.
The biggest reason Cincinnati is laying a full touchdown is its unusual amount of first-team talent expected to play. Zac Taylor confirmed that Burrow, Ja’Marr Chase, Tee Higgins and Chase Brown will suit up, although their snaps will be limited. Last year, Burrow played just two preseason series in the opener and went 9-of-10 for 123 yards and two touchdowns before the starters were pulled.
Lions vs. Bengals Date, Time, and Where to Watch
- Date: Thursday, August 13th, 2026
- Time: 7:00 PM ET
- How to Watch: Fubo
Lions vs. Bengals Odds
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Lions vs. Bengals Prediction
Detroit is taking the opposite approach. Jared Goff and most of the Lions’ starters are not expected to play, with undrafted rookie Luke Altmyer getting the start at quarterback. Veteran Josh Dobbs should also receive snaps as Detroit evaluates its backup competition.
That creates an obvious early advantage for Cincinnati, but preseason games become much harder to handicap once those first-team units leave. Burrow and Chase could produce points on one or two drives, yet the overwhelming majority of the game will still be decided by backups and players fighting for roster spots.
That is why a seven-point spread feels aggressive. Cincinnati’s starting offense may be dramatically better than what Detroit puts on the field initially, but bettors are being asked to price that advantage across four quarters when Burrow and the other stars could be done after only a handful of possessions.
Lions vs. Bengals Pick
- Pick: Lions +7 (-110) Check out these best odds at DraftKings Sportsbook
NFL preseason football is always volatile because playing-time plans, substitutions and roster evaluations matter more than normal team strength. Getting a full touchdown provides protection against Cincinnati’s early first-team advantage while allowing Detroit’s depth most of the night to close the gap.
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