3 Lions matchups to watch against Bengals in potential Week 5 trap game

We're inching closer to the Detroit Lions' next road game of the 2025 season, this time with the squad traveling to Cincinnati to face off with the struggling Bengals. While Detroit is on a high at the moment, sitting at 3-1 and looking every bit of a contender to start the year, Cincinnati has seen their once promising offseason turn into a nightmare.

There are still plenty of matchups to look forward to in what should be an easy game for Detroit to dominate in, but of course, there's always the off chance of a trap game lurking around the corner.

The Lions and Bengals don't meet very often, so we've got very small sample sizes to work with in terms of historical performances against one another. That's what makes this one fun.

3 matchups to watch between Lions and Bengals in Week 5

Penei Sewell v. Trey Hendrickson

Sewell just can't stop having to deal with some impeccable pass rushers this season. Between Micah Parsons, Myles Garrett, and now Trey Hendrickson, the All-Pro tackle has been thrown straight into the fire. But, he's won out in most matchups, and he is currently the best tackle in the NFL at pass protection.

On the flip side, Hendrickson currently ranks as 17th in the NFL at the EDGE in pass rush win rate so far this season, putting a lot more pressure on him to perform in this contest against such an elite pass blocker like Sewell. It should be a fun battle, but the advantage seems to lean towards Sewell as he's got the hot hand.

Lions secondary vs. Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins

Chase and Higgins have been struggling to begin this season, with them and the rest of the Bengals' offense being outscored 76-13 over their last three games without Joe Burrow in at quarterback. It's not boding well for Chase and Higgins in their first year with Cincinnati after signing massive extensions this offseason.

READ MORE: Lions' David Montgomery is having a homecoming to remember in Week 5

But, is there a chance they get going against a beat up Lions secondary? D.J. Reed is officially headed to the IR, while Terrion Arnold is working back from a shouder injury suffered in Week 4 against the Cleveland Browns. It's going to be interesting to see how Rock Ya-Sin, Amik Robertson, and Kahlil Dorsey are utilized against this waking giant in Cincinnati's receiving group.

Jared Goff vs. Zac Taylor

Goff is going up against his former quarterbacks coach in Zac Taylor in Week 5 for just the second time since being traded to the Lions. Goff's Los Angeles Rams days are long behind him, and both parties have clearly found their footing since departing the franchise. Taylor told reporters ahead of Week 5 that Goff and head coach Dan Campbell deserve nothing but "respect" from Cincinnati's defense.

"I've got a lot of respect for the job Dan (Campbell) and his staff do on offense. I coached Jared (Goff) for two years. I've got a ton of respect for him."

Obviously, Taylor has a lot more work ahead of him in Week 5 than Goff does against such an elite Detroit defense. Goff shouldn't have any issues showing Taylor just how much he's grown since being coached by him back in 2018.