The Detroit Lions are rolling into Week 5 of the 2025 NFL season with momentum on their side and a historic betting line that hasn’t been seen in over five decades. When they take on the Cincinnati Bengals this Sunday, the Lions will enter the matchup as a staggering 10.5-point favorite on the road, according to FanDuel Sportsbook.
That point spread marks the largest road favorite line for Detroit in 52 years, dating all the way back to 1973, per Stathead.com. The rare feat underscores just how far the Lions have come as a franchise—and just how dire the situation is for Cincinnati heading into this contest.
The Bengals have been dealt a devastating blow with the loss of superstar quarterback Joe Burrow, who underwent surgery for a Grade 3 turf toe injury. Burrow’s absence has forced backup Jake Browning into the starting role, but so far, the results have been far from encouraging. Browning has struggled mightily to command the offense, raising doubts about Cincinnati’s ability to keep pace with high-powered opponents.
Still, Bengals head coach Zac Taylor remains committed to his quarterback. “I’ve got a ton of confidence in Jake,” Taylor told the Cincinnati Enquirer. “I’m unwavering in that. I’ve seen the best of Jake. I know that we can do a great job supporting him to where he can go win games for us. So, I feel extremely confident in Jake Browning.”
Despite Browning’s difficulties, the Bengals sit at 2-2 through four weeks, leaving the door open for a turnaround if their offense can find stability. The problem? They now face one of the hottest teams in football.
After a disappointing Week 1 loss, Detroit has strung together three straight victories, putting up eye-popping offensive numbers in the process. Over that span, the Lions are averaging an astonishing 41.3 points per game, fueled by quarterback Jared Goff’s steady play, a punishing run game, and a receiving corps that continues to overwhelm defenses.
On the other side of the ball, things don’t get any easier for Cincinnati. The Bengals’ defense has allowed the sixth-most points per game this season, and trying to slow down Detroit’s versatile offensive attack may prove nearly impossible. Unless Browning and the offense can find a way to keep pace, this game could get out of hand quickly.
For the Lions, the historic betting line is just another sign of how dramatically the franchise has transformed from perennial underdog to legitimate Super Bowl contender. For the Bengals, it’s a wake-up call that their season may unravel quickly if they can’t survive without their star quarterback.
