A late field goal from Mike Nugent secured a 27-24 win for the Cincinnati Bengals over the Detroit Lions in the NFL this evening.
AJ Green gave the visiting side an early lead, scoring an 85-yard touchdown, while Marvin Jones and Tyler Eifert also found the end zone for the AFC North leaders.
Calvin Johnson added a brace of touchdowns, while Brandon Pettigrew was also on the scoreboard.
Read how all the action unfolded below:
Good evening! It's around half an hour until the Cincinnati Bengals and the Detroit Lions get their game underway at Ford Field, as both sides look to hold on to the lead in their divisions. Let's start with a look at the inactive players from both teams...
LIONS INACTIVES: Burleson, Moore, Green, Riddick, Harris, Fox, Scheffler
BENGALS INACTIVES: Ghee, Burkhead, Lewis-Harris, Robinson, Hawkinson, Whalen, Hunt
The big news for the Lions is that star wide receiver Calvin Johnson and running back Reggie Bush both start. Bush missed time earlier in the season through injury, while the single-season receiving yards record holder was extremely limited with a knee complaint last week. It's expected that Johnson will be able to play a bigger role for the NFC North leaders in today's game.
The Bengals are without this year's second-round Draft pick, discus thrower turned defensive end Margus Hunt. The 26-year-old has featured just once for the AFC North side this season as he continued to learn his trade in the NFL.
One of the surprise stars of the NFL so far this season has been undrafted rookie tight end Joseph Fauria, who starts for the Lions today. The 23-year-old has proved a big red zone threat, particularly in Calvin Johnson's absence, scoring five touchdowns from just seven receptions this season, including three against the Cleveland Browns last week.
Bengals wide receiver AJ Green had been fairly quiet so far this season, but had a big game against the Buffalo Bills last week, hauling in six catches for 103 yards and a touchdown. He'll need to be on form again today if the Bengals are to inflict to first home defeat of the season on the Lions.
On paper, there's very little between these two sides, given their performances so far this season. Detroit have averaged just under 23 yards more per game on offense, but the Bengals have the edge in rushing. Cincinnati quarterback Andy Dalton has 1,552 passing yards and eight touchdowns, while Matthew Stafford of the Lions has 1,772 yards and 12 touchdown passes.
As ever, you'll be able to see the latest scores as well as read half-time and full-time reports from all of today's games on Sports Mole's dedicated NFL page.
This will be the first regular season meeting between these two sides since 2009. Both teams have changed quite a bit since then, but on that occasion it was Cincinnati who took the win 23-13. They've played in pre-season since then through, with the Lions taking a 34-3 win in 2011.
PREDICTION! With kickoff just moments away, let's make a prediction. There really is very little between these two sides. The Lions have mainly been involved in high-scoring games this year, while the Bengals seem to have been playing in tight defensive battles. I think the Bengals might just edge this by a field goal today.
KICKOFF! Mike Nugent kicks off for the Bengals.
Short runs by Joique Bell and Reggie Bush, as well as a pass to Brandon Pettigrew give the Lions a first down, but they're still deep inside their own half. It looks like Detroit are making a patient start to the game.
Stafford tries to speed up the drive by attempting passes for Pettigrew and Broyles, but a couple of incompletions quickly bring up third down, forcing the home side to punt. There could be even worse news to follow for Lions, as it looks like Reggie Bush has been shaken up and is receiving some attention on the sidelines.
A good punt from Sam Martin leaves the Bengals deep in their own territory, but the Bengals' first offensive drive starts well, as BenJarvus Green-Ellis rushes for eight.
TOUCHDOWN! Bengals 7-0 Lions (Green)
Stuck well inside their own territory, Andy Dalton looks deep to find AJ Green for an 82-yard touchdown, the longest receiving touchdown in the NFL this season! Green takes the catch on the Cincinnati 40 before shaking off a tackle to sprint into the end zone. What a start by the Bengals! Nugent's kick for the extra point is good.
The good news for the Lions is that Bush is back on the field. However it's Calvin Johnson who gets the first down, pouncing on a 16-yard pass from Stafford.
Stafford tosses an incompletion in the direction of Fauria, before another run from Bush brings up over first down, leaving the Lions just four yards from midfield.
Two carries from Bell, who is playing despite having a rib injury, move the Lions to the Cincinnati 32. This is looking like a promising drive for the home side, as they look to cancel out AJ Green's 82-yard touchdown.
An athletic catch from Fauria move the Lions into the red zone for the first time down before Bush adds four on the run. Detroit are just 11 yards from the end zone now with plenty of weapons capable of scoring the touchdown.
Stafford looks to find Calvin Johnson for a touchdown, but it's fractionally to high for the wide receiver, who gets his fingertips to it, but can't hold on.
TOUCHDOWN! Bengals 7-7 Lions (Pettigrew)
After incompletions from the three-yard line to Johnson and Fauria, Stafford manages to connect with Brandon Pettigrew, who was completely unmarked. Akers's extra point ties up the game.
There's an injury concern for the Bengals, as cornerback Leon Hall appeared to injury his ankle while covering Calvin Johnson during the last drive. There's no news on whether he'll be able to return today yet.
NO TOUCHDOWN! Looking for 10 yards on third down, Dalton holds on to the ball too long and is sacked by Ansah, who causes the quarterback to fumble. The ball is recovered by Ndamukong Suh, who manages to return it for a touchdown, but the play is erased when Ansah is penalised for offside. Dalton gets another chance on third down but can't convert, so the Bengals will punt.
The Lions start their drive from a good field position, and a 19-yard reception from Calvin Johnson quickly gets them inside their own territory. This should be a good chance to Detroit to grab the lead.
INCOMPLETE! The Bengals used a review to look at the Johnson catch, and the officials have overturned their decision, deciding that the wide receiver was actually down before he had control of the ball. It doens't harm the Lions too much though, as he finds Durham for a 14-yard gain on the next play.
After a Detroit time out, Reggie Bush manages a short gain, before Johnson collects a nine-yard catch to move the Lions over midfield.
END OF FIRST QUARTER! Cincinnati Bengals 7-7 Detroit Lions
It's a good start to the second quarter for the Lions, as Stafford continues to lean on Johnson, throwing a 15-yard pass to the star wide receiver, leaving the Lions 32 yards from the end zone. Bush follows it up with a six-yard rush.
Reggie Bush is on the run again, and moves the Lions inside the red zone. This has been a lengthy drive by the Lions, so they'll be keen to take something away. Stafford looks for Fauria, but the tight end is being well covered and can't take the catch, so Detroit will have a field goal attempt.
FIELD GOAL! Bengals 7-10 Lions (Akers)
From 36 yards, it's a chip shot for David Akers, who equalled the record for the longest NFL field goal last season.
It's going to have to be another long drive for the Bengals, as a good kickoff from Martin leaves Cincinnati starting from their own 20. Dalton makes a strong start, connecting with AJ Green for a 13-yard gain, before spotting to wide receiver free again on the next plain for a 27-yard reception.
INJURY UPDATE! The Bengals have confirmed that Leon Hall has an Achilles injury and will not return today.
The Bengals have made swift progress up the field, as a Sanu reception moves them to the Detroit 27. Bernard rushes into the red zone, but a penalty on tight end Jermaine Gresham sees the visitors moved back 15 yards.
NO FIELD GOAL! On third down, Dalton can't find an open receiver so throws the ball away to avoid the sack, leaving Mike Nugent with a 47-yard field goal attempt. The kicker slices his effort well wide of the left upright.
INJURY UPDATE! The Bengals' defense has lost another player, as Devon Still has been ruled out for the rest of the game with an elbow injury.
Stafford tried a deep pass to Johnson, but misses the wide receiver. However, short gains from Rush and Kevin Ogletree bring up the first down at the Cincinnati 49.
Stafford tosses the ball short to Bell, who runs after the catch to the 28-yard line. The Lions' offense has been patient and very effective so far in this game.
INJURY! Lions left tackle Riley Reiff has picked up a hamstring injury and is questionable to return.
BLOCKED FIELD GOAL! After incompletions to Broyles and Durham, the Lions are forced to bring on Akers, but his field goal is blocked, and the Bengals manage to return it to the Detroit 40.
TWO MINUTE WARNING: Giovani Bernard has the first carry of the drive and manages a five-yard gain before the two-minute warning.
Green manages a 13-yard gain before being pushed out of bounds just short of the red zone, before a three-yard rush from Bernard takes them inside the 20. Dalton tries to find Bernard with a short pass, but he can't hold on.
Bernard has another carry, and gets a first down just 12 yards from the end zone. Green initially looks for Sanu but it's incomplete.
TOUCHDOWN! Bengals 14-10 Lions (Jones)
Dalton passes to the right of the end zone to Marvin Jones, who has to jump high to make the catch, but make it he does. It looks like he's taken a bit of a knock after landing heavily and is helped to the sidelines. Meanwhile, Nugent's extra point kick if good.
If Detroit are quick, they'll have time to string together a decent drive, but two short runs from Joique Bell mean they're out of time well inside their own territory. That will be the end of the first half.
END OF SECOND QUARTER: Cincinnati Bengals 14-10 Detroit Lions
Touchdowns at the start and the end of the opening 30 minutes leave the Cincinnati Bengals four points ahead at the break. The Lions had looked the stronger of the two offenses in the second quarter, but a blocked field goal allowed the Bengals back into the game.
Andy Dalton had a strong first two quarters, completing eight of his 14 passes for 172 yards and two touchdowns. The Lions' offense relied on Stafford and the passing game more, with the quarterback completing 16 from 29 for 144 yards and one touchdown.
AJ Green was the pick of the receivers, taking four catches for 135 yards and a stunning 82-yard touchdown. Calvin Johnson leads the Lions in yardage with 40, while Brandon Pettigrew scored the home side's only touchdown of the game so far.
While the offense seemed to dominate the play in the first half, Vontaze Burfict was quietly racking up the tackles, making seven in the opening 30 minutes. Both defenses may need to take it up a level at the start of the third though, as neither quarterback has been sacked or thrown an interception yet.
Detroit have done a good job of keeping the ball so far. The Bengals' offense was on the field for just 7:49 in the opening 30 minutes. The players are back out for the start of the third quarter.
Sam Martin kicks off the third quarter.
Green-Ellis tries for a run but finds his path blocked, before AJ Green manages to get the first down. The Bengals are still deep in their own territory though.
Dalton picks out Nugent with an 18-yard pass to leave the Bengals at midfield, before Jones hauls one in for 16 yards to move the visitors inside Detroit territory.
TOUCHDOWN! Bengals 21-10 Lions (Eifert)
It's another good, deep touchdown pass from Andy Dalton. Not as long as his earlier effort to AJ Green, but the 32-yard throw to rookie tight end Tyler Eifert is pretty impressive nonetheless. It took some strong footwork from Eifert to keep himself in bounds, but he managed it well. Nugent's kick is swiftly dispatched for the extra point.
Incidentally, that's Eifert's first touchdown as an NFL player. The first-round Draft pick has been steadily increasing his workload since week one, amassing 225 receiving yards in his first six games.
As the Lions look to get themselves back into this tie, Stafford completes a nine-yard pass to Durham, but it's cancelled out when Reggie Bush is penalised for a chop block. The quarterback still needs to find 10 yards and third down, but he manages it with a stunning 43-yard pass to Kevin Ogletree, to take the home side over midfield.
Johnson takes another reception to move Detroit to the 27-yard line. The home side really need a touchdown from this drive to keep the Bengals' lead manageable, but Stafford is making some impressive catches to give them a good chance.
TOUCHDOWN! Bengals 21-17 Lions (Johnson)
Stafford really hit a hot streak on that drive and it continues as he picks out Calvin Johnson just short of the end zone, and the wide receiver manages to shake off a tackle to run the extra couple of yards for a 27-yard touchdown. David Akers adds the extra point.
Green thinks that he has a first down, but he's penalised for a pass interference. He gets nine yards back on the next play before Jones gets the yardage for the first down. It's slow but steady progress for the Bengals as they reach their own 35.
The Lions drop cover on Gresham, allowing the tight end to get into space and take a 30-yard pass from Dalton to move the visitors into Detroit territory. However, two incomplete passes followed by a five-yard rush from Bernard means Cincinnati will have to bring on their kicker.
FIELD GOAL! Bengals 24-17 Lions (Nugent)
Nugent makes amends for his earlier miss, smoothly guiding a 48-yard effort between the posts to leave the Bengals seven points up.
Stafford comes back onto the field with the Detroit offense, but three rushing attempts from Bush leaves the team short of a first down, forcing the home side to bring out their punt unit.
Tyler Eifert makes a short gain for the Bengals, before Andy Dalton scrambles for eight yards to bring up first down, but the visiting side are still on their own 30-yard line.
The Lions challenge the spotting of the ball following Dalton's run, believing that the quarterback did not get the distance for the first down. After much debate, the officials decide to overturn their original call, leaving Cincinnati short on third down, so they'll have to punt.
END OF THIRD QUARTER: Cincinnati Bengals 24-17 Detroit Lions
Stafford makes a good start to the fourth quarter, finding Broyles for nine yards, before completing a deep pass to Reggie Bush for a 27-yard gain.
TOUCHDOWN! Bengals 24-24 Lions (Johnson)
Stafford pulls another stunning pass out of the bag, launching the ball 50 yards down field on third down, finding Calvin Johnson inside the end zone for the second time during this game. Akers adds the extra point, leaving it all square at Ford Field.
The Bengals are three and out quickly as they try and fail to retake the lead. Needing seven yards on third down, Dalton looks deep for Green, but his pass comes up short and is almost intercepted by Quin. The Lions safety can't hold on to get the takeaway, but by breaking up the pass he ensures that the Bengals will have to punt.
Stafford continues to look for Johnson, who has caused all sorts of problems for the Bengals' defense today, and finds the wide receiver for an 11-yard gain. Johnson now has 147 receiving yards and two touchdowns in this game.
INJURY! Bengals linebacker Rey Maualuga heads off the field after picking up a knock. Meanwhile, catches from Bell and Johnson move the Lions to the Cincinnati 45 and give them a first down.
Stafford looks deep for Pettigrew, but the tight end is being closely marked, preventing him from taking the catch. The quarterback finds Joique Bell on the next play for a gain of 19, but the home side are brought back after Pettigrew is penalised for pass interference. However, the play is reviewed and the officials decide that Bell did not take the catch, so the penalty on Bettigrew is declined.
The Bengals' offense is back on the field, and immediately get a first down when BenJarvus Green-Ellis rushes for 11 yards. Gresham makes a tricky catch for a 22-yard gain on the next play, moving the visitors to their own 39. This is looking like a dangerous drive from the Bengals.
It's another first down for the Bengals as Eifert hauls one in for an 11-yard gain, taking Cincinnati over midfield, before Gresham follows up his earlier effort with a 13-yard reception. The Bengals tight ends are both testing the Lions' defense late on in this game.
TWO MINUTE WARNING! The Bengals let the clock tick down to two minutes. Cincinnati will resume on the Detroit 38, so won't need much more to get into field goal range, but they've absolutely flown down the field on this drive, so will surely be hoping to get into the end zone.
SACK! Needing just one yard on third down, the Bengals are moved back five yards following a Gresham false start. Dalton holds onto the ball too long as he looks to get a six-yard gain, but he fails to spot Ndamukong Suh creep up on him, and is sacked for a loss of eight. That's the first legal sack of the game!
Having been moved back to their own 49, the Bengals have to punt it back to the Lions. If Stafford can continue to connect with Calvin Johnson as he has been this afternoon, they could easily add a game-winning score before the end of this quarter.
After a timeout, Stafford finds Broyles for a first down, before Bell gets a gain of six. The quarterback looks for Johnson, who has been his favourite target today, but his short pass out wide to the right is incomplete.
The Lions have to punt, leaving the Bengals looking to quickly et into field goal range. Sanzenbacher takes them to the Detroit 44 before another completion to Bernard brings them to the 36. Nugent will come out to kick.
It's going to be a 54-yard attempt for Nugent, who already has a 48-yard completion today, but he'll have to wait as the Lions call a time out.
FIELD GOAL! Bengals 27-24 Lions (Nugent)
Nugent keeps his cool, sending his kick straight through the middle of the posts with distance to spare to seal the victory for the Bengals.
END OF FOURTH QUARTER: Cincinnati Bengals 27-24 Detroit Lions
Mike Nugent's late field goal means that the Bengals avoid having to play overtime for a second week in a row, and they move to 5-2, ensuring that they will maintain the lead in the AFC North this weekend. The Lions drop to 4-3, allowing the Chicago Bears to move above them in the NFC North.
Well that's all from this game, but don't forget you can find the latest standings on our NFL page, and join us again later for live coverage of Peyton Manning's return to the Lucas Oil Stadium as the Denver Broncos face the Indianapolis Colts. Until then, thanks for joining me this evening, goodbye.
