Detroit Lions’ Week 5 stock report: Risers, fallers vs. Bengals

That got a little tighter than it needed to be. After entering the fourth quarter up 28-3, the Detroit Lions were able to muscle out a 37-24 win, marking their first victory in Cincinnati since 1992.

Detroit was without two key players at key positions (LT Taylor Decker, CB1 D.J. Reed), yet both sides of the ball still had periods of dominance. The Lions capitalized on a number of Jake Browning mistakes, while also securing an emotional homecoming win for David Montgomery in front of his sister—and in D.J. Reader’s return to the team he went to a Super Bowl with.

It wasn’t a flawless 30+ point, double-digit victory, but there are still far more risers than fallers as Detroit reaches four wins in five weeks for only the eighth time in the Super Bowl era.

Stock up: Sam LaPorta, TE

LaPorta was the Lions’ biggest playmaker on the day, totaling five receptions for 92 yards and his first touchdown of the season—his third-highest individual game yardage total ever. His soft natural hands and fluid movement were on full display throughout the contest.

Bengals linebackers and safeties had no answer for him as offensive coordinator John Morton dialed up a game plan to get LaPorta the ball. His 39-yard catch-and-run on the rollout to start Detroit’s fourth touchdown drive in the third quarter was key to keeping the offense humming, and it marked the fourth-longest play of his career. LaPorta also recorded his third straight game as a noticeably plus player in run blocking, an element of his game that’s rounding into form beautifully.

Stock up: Aidan Hutchinson, DE

Hutchinson was a nightmare for Bengals tackles Orlando Brown Jr. and Amarius Mims. He finished with four tackles, a sack, five QB hits, and another forced fumble—plus another sack (and a safety) nullified by a defensive penalty for the second straight week.

Four straight games with a sack. Three straight games with a forced fumble, all in the fourth quarter. His five QB hits tie a career high (fourth time). Hutchinson is stacking performances and, much like last year, is cementing himself in the Defensive Player of the Year conversation.

Stock down: Jameson Williams, WR

While he wasn’t heavily targeted like last week—when he still struggled—Williams again had minimal impact as a receiver or runner. He recorded only one reception for nine yards (for a first down) and one end-around for a single rushing yard. His 0.43 yards per route run over the last two weeks ranks 122nd out of 157 players with at least five targets (Amon-Ra St. Brown is top 10 in that span). Week 5 marked his second-lowest receiving yard total since the start of last season.

Granted, Jared Goff had only 27 dropbacks and limited incompletions, so it wasn’t a heavy passing attack. There’s no reason to panic, but Detroit will look for Williams to string together a more consistent receiving game soon.

Stock up: Alex Anzalone, LB

Sunday’s game marked the first time this season that Anzalone’s full impact in the passing game was on display. One of the league’s top coverage linebackers, he effectively took the air out of the Bengals’ passing attack whenever they tried to test him.

Anzalone was targeted five times in coverage, yielding just two catches for -1 yards, while also recording two pass breakups and an interception. He allowed only an 8.3 passer rating and, despite a single defensive pass interference penalty, he more than compensated by forcing several incompletions on third downs that led to punts. The complementary second-level skillset of Anzalone and Jack Campbell was evident all game, consistently disrupting Cincinnati’s offensive rhythm.

Stock down: Graham Glasgow, C

After two straight strong performances against the Ravens and Browns, Glasgow wasn’t as sharp against the Bengals. His struggles came primarily in the run game, where he had difficulty moving T.J. Slaton at the point, creating congestion and limiting rushing lanes. He also came up empty handed on several attempts to engage Logan Wilson and rookies Demetrius Knight Jr. and Barrett Carter.

It wasn’t the most imposing rushing game for the Lions offense, and Glasgow was at the center of some of the issues. Glasgow also was guilty of a holding penalty on the goal line that could’ve have been costly.

Stock up: Christian Mahogany, LG

Mahogany delivered arguably his best performance of the season, further entrenching himself at left guard. He smoothed the path for Giovanni Manu and expertly navigated the Bengals’ defensive stunts on the left side, making key hand-offs and pick-ups with precision.

Several of David Montgomery’s biggest runs—including his 19-yard burst and his touchdown—came off Mahogany’s backside, as he consistently controlled the defensive tackles in front of him. He also led the way on Gibbs’ screen-pass touchdown, taking on Logan Wilson to open a clear lane. He’s a valuable asset in the interior turf war.

Stock up: David Montgomery, RB

Back in his hometown, Montgomery joined rare company—becoming only the seventh running back since the merger (three of them Hall of Famers) to record multiple games with both a rushing and passing touchdown.

After a slow start with just six carries for 4 yards in the first half, Montgomery found his rhythm in the second half, jolting for 12 carries for 61 yards and a 6-yard catch for a first down in the last two frames. His physical running helped the Lions build a comfortable lead and grind down the clock late.

Stock neutral: Terrion Arnold, CB

Arnold’s day was a mixed bag. He was flagged twice by the NFL’s most penalty-prone officiating crew this season, then exited with the shoulder injury he’s been playing through since last week. Between the penalties and the injury, it’s understandable why some fans were quick to grow frustrated.

But the reality of his play was far steadier than the reaction might suggest. Across 36 coverage snaps, Arnold allowed just three completions on six targets for 28 yards, broke up two passes, and held opposing quarterbacks to a 63.2 passer rating. He’s now surrendered only 50 receiving yards combined over the past two games. The coaching staff clearly trusts him—he traveled with Ja’Marr Chase for much of the day, including a season-high nine snaps in the slot, while Detroit leaned on its highest two-high safety rate (44%) of the season.

Lions’ Week 5 defense with Terrion Arnold on the field (ranks are among 26 teams in Week 5 action so far):

Lions’ Week 5 defense without Terrion Arnold on the field:

Detroit’s defense went from the best performance of the week with Arnold on the field to the worst without him. At the very least, it’s clear he’s a difference-maker when he’s part of the lineup.