“It’s been 84 years…”
Well, maybe not quite 84 years, Rose from Titanic, but it has been 32 years and 10 months since the Detroit Lions last beat the Cincinnati Bengals. These two teams have faced off 13 times, with Cincinnati owning the series 10-3 and winning the last seven straight.
The 1970s: A Strong Start
The Lions came out hot against the new Bengals franchise. Their first meeting was at Tiger Stadium in 1970, where Detroit dominated 38-3. Four years later, they won again, 23-19. But like disco, Lions wins over the Bengals faded away after the ‘70s.
The 1980s: Bengals Take Control
The teams met three times in the ’80s, all Bengals wins. In 1983, two Pete Johnson touchdowns sealed a 17-9 win. In 1986, despite Eric Hipple’s two TD passes, the Bengals ran in three scores to win at the Silverdome. In 1989, Barry Sanders opened the game with a touchdown run — but Boomer Esiason and company exploded for 42 unanswered points to bury Detroit.
The 1990s: A Split Decade
Detroit finally ended the drought in 1992. Barry Sanders rushed for 151 yards and a touchdown, helping the Lions win 19-13 in a tight, kicker-heavy game. But in 1998, despite Sanders’ three touchdowns and 185 rushing yards, Scott Mitchell threw a pick-six in overtime to give the Bengals another victory.
The 2000s: The Deadball Era
The Matt Millen years brought nothing but losses. The Bengals won four straight: 2001 (31-27), 2005 (41-17), 2009 (23-13), 2013 (27-24), and 2017 (26-17).
2021: Dan Campbell Era
In 2021, with Dan Campbell’s new regime just starting, the Bengals embarrassed Detroit 34-11 at Ford Field. I was there with my family — my father, stepmother, wife, five brothers and sisters, and daughter. We went in with hope, but left watching the Bengals run us out of our own building. Looking back, maybe that loss was necessary.
Sunday’s Chance
Dan Campbell hasn’t forgotten that 2021 loss. He hasn’t forgotten the debt owed to Baltimore earlier this year either — and he paid that one back. The Lions haven’t beaten Cincinnati in 32 years and 10 months. Now the Bengals are reeling with a weak offensive line and a backup quarterback.
This Sunday, I expect Detroit to finally handle their business — and get their first win against Cincinnati in nearly 33 years.