Lions-Bengals takeaways: Detroit’s Jahmyr Gibbs, David Montgomery tie NFL record in win

By Colton Pouncy, Paul Dehner Jr. and Amos Morale III

The Detroit Lions running back tandem of Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery tied an NFL record in Sunday’s 37-24 win over the Cincinnati Bengals at Paycor Stadium.

Gibbs and Montgomery scored a touchdown in the same game for the 14th time, tying an NFL record, according to the Lions public relations staff.

The duo’s efforts, which included a 3-yard passing touchdown from Montgomery to tight end Brock Wright, helped the Lions build a 28-3 lead heading into the fourth quarter.

The Bengals offense found some rhythm in the fourth quarter, when Cincinnati quarterback Jake Browning threw three touchdowns. Star receiver Ja’Marr Chase caught two with Tee Higgins snagging the other.

The Lions shut the door on Cincinnati’s comeback attempt when Detroit linebacker Derrick Barnes sacked Browning in the end zone for a safety. Detroit improved to 4-1 with the win; Cincinnati fell to 2-3.

Feels like home

The local products came through for the Lions Sunday. Montgomery, who grew up in Cincinnati, threw a touchdown and rushed for another while playing in front of friends and family in the city for the first time as a pro. Barnes — a Covington, Ky., native — sealed the game with a sack of Browning in the end zone for a safety. Their strong performances helped the Lions get it done — even if they had to sweat a bit in the end. — Colton Pouncy, Lions beat writer

Sloppy down the stretch

This was a weird game for the Lions. They once led 28-3. The defense picked off Browning three times. The offense put up 37 points — its fourth game in a row scoring 34 or more. But the Lions allowed the Bengals to hang around and make it interesting. Chase scored a pair of touchdowns to keep the Bengals in it.

After a Higgins touchdown cut Detroit’s lead to 35-24, the Bengals nearly recovered an onside kick that would’ve posed a threat. Some sloppy football down the stretch from the offense and defense, though absences along the offensive line (Taylor Decker) and secondary didn’t help their efforts. That’s a couple of weeks in a row now that the Lions haven’t played up to their standards. And yet, it ends with a 13-point win. — Pouncy

Bengals struggles continue

Cincinnati has reached levels of futility not experienced even during The Lost Decade of the ’90s. Over the last three games, the Bengals have been outscored 113-37. The 76-point differential narrowly missed setting a mark for the worst three-game stretch in franchise history. The record of minus-80 was set in 2008. Everything about this day reminded me of the ’90s. The team took the field to a stadium half-filled with Lions fans in Honolulu Blue, getting regularly booed, fans wearing bags on their head, a sign hung from the wall showing love for an injured player as they yet again broke a historical record for futility. In a season when Cincinnati arrived with Super Bowl expectations, to look this hopeless after five games ushers in new chapters of embarrassment for a franchise steeped in it. — Paul Dehner Jr., Bengals beat writer

Questions at quarterback?

Despite the late charge in garbage time from the Bengals offense, they must more seriously consider outside options at quarterback. This past week Zac Taylor said he had “full belief” in Browning but after an ugly first three quarters in yet another hapless offensive performance that featured a 28-3 deficit and three more Browning picks, the walls are closing in on Joe Burrow’s backup. Prior to three touchdowns on three garbage-time drives in this one, Browning and the Bengals went 19 consecutive drives without a touchdown.

Will the fourth quarter be enough progress to keep hope alive? They aren’t close to finding answers when it matters right now. Backup Brett Rypien just signed in Cincinnati after final cuts, so it’s hard to imagine he’ll be a significant upgrade. If the front office doesn’t start making calls on available quarterbacks, it is surrendering on a season after five weeks. — Dehner

(Photo: Andy Lyons / Getty Images)

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