The Detroit Lions and Cincinnati Bengals open their 2026 preseason Thursday night at Paycor Stadium, with both teams getting their first opportunity to evaluate their rosters in game action before the regular season.
Detroit Lions quarterback Josh Dobbs (6) walks on to the field for practice during training camp at Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park on Monday, August 10, 2026.
How to Watch Lions vs Bengals
- When: Thursday, Aug. 13, 2026
- Time: 7:00 PM ET
- TV Channel: WJBK, WXIX
- Live Stream: Fubo (try for free)
Cincinnati is expected to give many of its starters some action in the preseason opener, putting Joe Burrow, Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins in the spotlight. The Bengals are looking to rebound after missing the playoffs last season, and even a brief appearance from the first-team offense will provide an early look at one of the NFL’s most talented passing attacks. The rest of the night will be especially important for players competing for spots further down Cincinnati’s depth chart.
– Live stream Lions vs Bengals with Fubo –
Detroit is taking a different approach, with many of its established starters not expected to play. That shifts the focus toward the Lions’ younger players and roster battles, including rookie offensive tackle Blake Miller and several players competing for larger roles on defense. Detroit beat Cincinnati 37-24 when the teams met during the 2025 regular season, but Thursday’s preseason matchup will be much more about evaluating depth and finding players who can contribute when the games begin to count.
This is a great NFL football matchup that you will not want to miss; make sure to tune in and catch all the action.
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