Detroit Lions vs. Cincinnati Bengals Preseason Game Recap

Detroit Lions vs. Cincinnati Bengals Game Recap

The second game of Thursday night's preseason action ended in dramatic fashion for the Detroit Lions. Dan Orlovsky threw two touchdown passes in the final seven minutes for a Lion come from behind win over the Cincinnati Bengals, 27-26.

Unlike the night's early game that was defensive throughout, the Lions and Bengals put some points on the board. The Bengals got off to the better start with Carson Palmer looking sharp-- Carson is going to have a 30 plus touchdown 2007 season. T.J. Houshmandzadeh had an excellent first quarter as well and it looked as if the Bengals were going to torch the Lions secondary all night. Rudi Johnson and "Ocho Cinco" Chad Johnson say limited action. Rookie Kenny Irons did go down with a knee injury that will have him sidelined throughout all of 2007-- tough break for the Bengals. The Lions first team looked ok. Jon Kitna was 3-5 for 52 yards and Tatum Bell ran hard but had a few plays called back due to penalties.

The Lions hung around and finally stuck a touchdown in with NFL Europe star J.T. O'Sullivan leading the way. O'Sullivan found first year Lion receiver and one of my favorite NFL players, Shaun McDonald for a beautiful 83- yard touchdown catch. The young gun- slinger read the secondary nicely and noticed the double coverage over Calvin Johnson. A sweet second later, McDonald was on his way to the end zone. Johnson did have a couple of nice plays, wowing the already excited Lion crowd and helped the Lions score on a Jason Hanson field goal at the end of the half. Lions coach Rod Marinelli said, "He is going to be a special player for us, and it was a nice two- minute drive to finish up the half for us." The game was 16-10 at the break with the Lions looking alive, finally.

The Lions had a great start to the second half, eating up about 7 minutes of game clock and marching down to the goal line but had nothing to show for it as former Michigan State star, T.J. Duckett fumbled the ball. Shawne Graham would add another field goal his fourth of the night and at the end of the three, it was 19-10 Bengals in the battle of the big cats.

The fourth quarter is when the Lions really had their best performance minus a crazy 81- yard fumble recovery by Bengal lineman Matt Toeaina. This started to look like the Lions that we all knew, in games late but silly mistakes hurt, yes they do. The Bengals looked like this one was in the bag until Orlovsky responded with a strike to Cliff Russell who enacted revenge against his former team hauling in the 58- yard play. Ronald Bellamy, former Michigan Wolverine then climbed the ladder and made a great catch in the back of the end zone for a Lion touchdown. The Lions chipped away and scored again in the fourth quarter when rookie kicker Kenny Byrd hit a 25- yard field goal. The Lions were down six now and all they had to do was recovery the on- side- kick. Tony Beckham (not David Beckham) dove on the Byrd's nicely placed on- side- kick and the Lions were back in business. Orlovsky wasted little time and found former Iowa walk- on Kevin Kasper twice, including the game- tying touchdown. Orlovsky finished with 220 yards, completing 15 of 23 attempts with two touchdowns and an interception. Bryd pulled the Lions ahead with the point- after but the Bengals came down the field and had a chance to win it but the automatic Graham missed-- not a bad ending, for pre- season game.

From My Notepad

• Shaun McDonald had 146 yards and a beautiful 83- yard touchdown-- McDonald thrives in the Martz system
• Did anyone notice Justin Verlander on the Lions sideline during the pre- game routine-- the Lions might be this year's Tigers in Detroit?
• Defensive end Corey Smith had a forced fumble and Keith Smith had a nice interception-- Smith and Smith the wrecking crew
• The Lions had four sacks-- not bad if the Lions can keep this production going all year
• Calvin Johnson looked smooth-- needs more time before we see his full potential
• The Lions quarterbacks look ready-- Mike Martz's system has been absorbed this year in Detroit
• Who needs Becks-- the Lions have Tony Beckham who recovered the on- side kick securing the game winning touchdown drive