Lions vs Bengals Preseason NFL Prediction: Who Will Win on August 13, 2026?

Lions vs Bengals Preseason NFL Prediction: Get the August 13 picks, odds, spread, moneyline, player props, matchup analysis, and best bet.

Lions vs Bengals Preseason NFL Prediction: Lions vs Bengals, Who Will Win Today?

The best bet for the Lions vs Bengals Preseason NFL Prediction is the Detroit Lions +6.5 (-105). Cincinnati is favored by 6.5 points at Paycor Stadium, but the Bengals are expected to play their starters for only one or two series. Detroit should get much more time from Luke Altmyer, whose mobility could help the Lions keep this preseason matchup competitive.

Final Pick: Lions +6.5 (-105)

Lions vs Bengals Preseason NFL Prediction Summary

The Cincinnati Bengals enter this preseason matchup as 6.5-point favorites, with a -265 moneyline and a 38.5-point total. The Detroit Lions are +6.5 at -105 and +215 on the moneyline.

Cincinnati has the more significant advantage at the beginning of the game because Joe Burrow and other starters are expected to see limited action. However, the Bengals’ starters are not expected to play for long, which makes laying 6.5 points risky in a preseason matchup.

Detroit went 9-8 during the 2025 regular season and averaged 28.3 points per game. The Lions also allowed 24.3 points per game. Cincinnati finished 6-11 and averaged 24.4 points per game while allowing 28.9 points per game.

The quarterback rotation is one of the biggest factors in this Lions vs Bengals Preseason NFL Prediction. Josh Dobbs could receive some snaps for Detroit, but Luke Altmyer is expected to handle most of the work. His ability to make plays with his legs gives Detroit an additional way to move the football.

Best Bet: Lions +6.5

Table of Contents

• Lions vs Bengals Odds
• Lions vs Bengals Same Game Parlay
• Lions vs Bengals Player Props
• Lions vs Bengals, Who Will Win Today?
• Who Is Favored in Lions vs Bengals?
• What Is the Best Bet for Lions vs Bengals?
• Which Starting Quarterback Has the Advantage?
• What Are the Key Stats for Lions vs Bengals?
• Final Lions vs Bengals Preseason NFL Prediction
• Lions vs Bengals FAQ

Lions vs Bengals Odds

The Cincinnati Bengals are 6.5-point favorites against the Detroit Lions in the August 13 preseason matchup.

The Lions have a +215 moneyline, while Cincinnati is listed at -265. The game total is 38.5 points, with the Over at -115 and the Under at -105.

Bet	Detroit Lions	Cincinnati Bengals
Spread	+6.5 (-105)	-6.5 (-115)
Moneyline	+215	-265
Total	Over 38.5 (-115)	Under 38.5 (-105)
Location	Paycor Stadium	Paycor Stadium
Date	August 13, 2026	August 13, 2026
Time	7:00 PM EDT	7:00 PM EDT

What is the spread in NFL betting? The point spread gives the underdog a specified number of points while requiring the favorite to win by more than that number for a spread bet to cash.

The Lions vs Bengals odds make Cincinnati the clear favorite, but preseason betting requires more attention to expected playing time than regular-season betting. The Bengals are expected to use their starters for only one or two series, meaning much of the game could be decided by backup quarterbacks and depth players.

That makes Lions +6.5 particularly attractive.

Lions vs Bengals Same Game Parlay

A Lions vs Bengals same game parlay carries more uncertainty than a regular-season NFL parlay because coaches can make significant personnel changes throughout the game.

Cincinnati’s starters should give the Bengals an early advantage, but their limited playing time makes it difficult to project how the game will develop after the opening series or two.

Detroit +6.5 is the strongest betting angle because the Lions should have their primary preseason quarterback, Luke Altmyer, on the field for an extended period.

The 38.5-point total is another potential consideration for a Lions vs Bengals same game parlay, but preseason scoring can be volatile because backup offenses and defenses often produce unpredictable results.

For that reason, the spread remains the preferred wager rather than building an aggressive same game parlay.

Lions vs Bengals Player Props

Lions vs Bengals player props should be approached carefully because neither team is expected to use its most important players for a full game.

Joe Burrow is expected to play for Cincinnati, but his appearance should be brief. The Bengals have indicated that their starters will see some action, but one or two series is the expected range.

Once Burrow leaves, Cincinnati could turn to Joe Flacco before eventually relying on Logan Woodside and Sean Clifford.

Detroit’s quarterback situation is particularly important for preseason props. Josh Dobbs was recently signed and could take some snaps, but Luke Altmyer is expected to receive the majority of the workload.

Altmyer’s rushing ability makes him an intriguing player to watch. If Cincinnati’s defense struggles to contain him outside the pocket, he could help Detroit sustain drives and remain within the 6.5-point spread.

Lions vs Bengals, Who Will Win Today?

The Bengals are favored to win, but the Lions vs Bengals Preseason NFL Prediction favors Detroit against the spread.

Cincinnati has the better quarterback when Joe Burrow is on the field, and the Bengals are playing at home. However, Burrow’s expected playing time is limited.

Detroit should have considerably more time to evaluate Altmyer, giving the Lions a chance to establish offensive rhythm as the game progresses.

The Lions also averaged 28.3 points per game last season, while Cincinnati allowed 28.9 points per game. That combination provides some reason to believe Detroit can score enough points to stay within one possession.

Projected Winner: Cincinnati Bengals

Projected Spread Winner: Detroit Lions

Projected Score: Lions 24, Bengals 21

Who Is Favored in Lions vs Bengals?

The Cincinnati Bengals are favored by 6.5 points over the Detroit Lions.

Cincinnati is also a significant moneyline favorite at -265, while Detroit is +215.

The betting market is giving Cincinnati credit for playing at home and having Joe Burrow available for the opening portion of the game. However, the Bengals’ expected limited use of their starters makes the spread more difficult to justify.

A team can be favored to win while still being a poor spread bet. That is the situation with Cincinnati in this matchup.

The Bengals may win the game, but Detroit does not necessarily need to win outright to cash Lions +6.5.

What Is the Best Bet for Lions vs Bengals?

The best bet for the Lions vs Bengals Preseason NFL Prediction is Detroit Lions +6.5 (-105).

The six-and-a-half points provide valuable protection in a preseason matchup where Cincinnati’s starters are not expected to play more than one or two series.

The Lions should have extended opportunities with Luke Altmyer, whose mobility could create problems for Cincinnati’s defense. Detroit also has an opportunity to open the preseason with a strong performance after going 1-3 in the 2025 preseason.

Cincinnati went 1-2 during last year’s preseason and finished 6-11 during the regular season.

The Bengals’ home-field advantage and Burrow’s early appearance make Cincinnati the logical favorite, but those advantages are unlikely to persist throughout the entire game.

Best Bet: Lions +6.5 (-105)

Which Starting Quarterback Has the Advantage?

Joe Burrow gives Cincinnati the clear quarterback advantage whenever he is on the field.

Burrow is an established NFL starter and the centerpiece of the Bengals’ offense. Detroit’s quarterback rotation does not have the same level of proven NFL experience.

However, the Lions vs Bengals Preseason NFL Prediction is not simply about which quarterback is better. It is about how long each quarterback is expected to play.

Burrow could only play one or two series, while Altmyer is expected to handle most of Detroit’s quarterback workload.

That makes the quarterback advantage much less significant when evaluating the full 60-minute preseason matchup.

Detroit could benefit from having its primary preseason quarterback on the field for considerably longer.

What Are the Key Stats for Lions vs Bengals?

The key statistics for the Lions vs Bengals Preseason NFL Prediction come from each team’s 2025 regular-season performance.

Detroit finished 9-8 and averaged 28.3 points per game, while the Lions allowed 24.3 points per game.

Cincinnati finished 6-11, averaged 24.4 points per game, and allowed 28.9 points per game.

The Lions also went 1-3 in the 2025 preseason, while Cincinnati went 1-2.

Statistic	Lions	Bengals
2025 Record	9-8	6-11
2025 Points Per Game	28.3	24.4
2025 Points Allowed Per Game	24.3	28.9
2025 Preseason Record	1-3	1-2
Current Spread	+6.5	-6.5
Moneyline	+215	-265

The defensive numbers are especially relevant. Cincinnati allowed nearly 29 points per game last season, creating an opportunity for Detroit’s extended offensive rotation to move the ball.

Final Lions vs Bengals Preseason NFL Prediction

The Lions vs Bengals Preseason NFL Prediction comes down to one major question: how much value should bettors assign to Cincinnati’s starters when they are expected to play only one or two series?

The Bengals are rightfully favored because Joe Burrow gives Cincinnati a major advantage while he is on the field. Cincinnati is also playing at Paycor Stadium.

But this is preseason football, and the Bengals’ advantage should diminish quickly once the starters leave.

Detroit is expected to rely heavily on Luke Altmyer, and his mobility could make him an effective preseason quarterback. He should have enough opportunities to establish a rhythm and keep the Lions competitive.

The Lions also finished 9-8 last season compared with Cincinnati’s 6-11 record. While those records do not directly predict a preseason result, they demonstrate that Detroit was the stronger team during the previous regular season.

Cincinnati’s 28.9 points allowed per game is another reason to take the points with Detroit.

The Bengals can certainly win this game, but asking them to win by seven or more points is a different proposition.

For this Lions vs Bengals Preseason NFL Prediction, the best value is on Detroit.

Pick: Lions +6.5 (-105)

Projected Score: Lions 24, Bengals 21

Lions vs Bengals FAQ

Who is favored in Lions vs Bengals?

The Cincinnati Bengals are favored by 6.5 points over the Detroit Lions.

What is the best Lions vs Bengals preseason bet?

The best bet is Lions +6.5 (-105) because Cincinnati’s starters are expected to play only one or two series.

What are the Lions vs Bengals moneyline odds?

Detroit is listed at +215, while Cincinnati is listed at -265.

What is the Lions vs Bengals over/under?

The game total is 38.5 points, with the Over at -115 and the Under at -105.

Where is Lions vs Bengals being played?

The preseason game will be played at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati, Ohio.

When is Lions vs Bengals?

The Lions vs Bengals preseason game is scheduled for Thursday, August 13, 2026, at 7:00 PM EDT.

Will Joe Burrow play against the Lions?

Yes. Burrow is expected to play, but Cincinnati is only expected to use its starters for approximately one or two series.

Who will play quarterback for the Lions?

Luke Altmyer is expected to handle most of Detroit’s quarterback snaps, while Josh Dobbs could also see some playing time.

What was the Lions’ record in 2025?

Detroit finished the 2025 regular season with a 9-8 record and averaged 28.3 points per game.

What was the Bengals’ record in 2025?

Cincinnati finished the 2025 regular season with a 6-11 record and averaged 24.4 points per game.

What is the final Lions vs Bengals preseason prediction?

The final Lions vs Bengals Preseason NFL Prediction is Detroit Lions +6.5 (-105), with a projected final score of Lions 24, Bengals 21.