3 reasons the Detroit Lions will beat the Bengals in Week 6

1. A Dynamic Running Back Duo

D’Andre Swift and Jamaal Williams are the only running back tandem in the NFL with at least 175 rushing yards and 100 receiving yards through five weeks of the season. Cleveland is the only other team with two running backs that each have 325 yards from scrimmage and two touchdowns this season. Swift and Williams have each scored twice on the ground, with Swift adding a receiving score.

The Lions coaching staff has remained consistent in envisioning a 1A-1B “hot hand” backfield approach this season. The plan has gone that way, with the carry split favoring Williams (55 to 52), and the passing game production favoring Swift (a league-high 29 catches among running backs; 15 catches for Williams). If anything, there’s a case for Williams to play more–he has topped 40 percent of the snaps in a game once so far. But that wouldn’t have to come at Swift’s expense, as there seems to be untapped potential for offensive coordinator Anthony Lynn to deploy him as a slot receiver with both backs on the field.

Cincinnati has the league’s 10th-ranked run defense through Week 5, and they’re also top-10 in yards per carry allowed (4.1). But they have allowed the third-most target to running backs (51: 10.2 per game), 41 receptions (8.2 per game) to running backs (tied for second-most in the league  and tied for the seventh-most receiving yards to the position (250; 50 per game). Najee Harris’ showing in Week 3 skews things (14 catches for 102 yards on 19 targets), but there’s definitely a path to production for the Lions’ running backs in Week 6.

Detroit is 17th in the league in time of possession (30:21 per game), while Cincinnati is 23rd (28:28). Lessening Goff’s exposure to giveaway opportunities is surely a priority in this week’s game plan, with Swift and Williams central to that effort. A hypothetical over/under for combined touches at 33 would be an interesting hypothetical bet to consider.