In a clear statement of hometown pride, David Montgomery shone brightly in his return to Cincinnati, leading the Detroit Lions to a 37-24 victory over the Bengals, as The News-Gazette reports. The seven-year veteran not only ran for a touchdown but also pulled off a touchdown pass on a trick play in front of more than 20 friends and relatives, including his sister, who attended despite being paralyzed in a car crash in February 2024. "It’s super meaningful to come back home where it all started for me and being able to show my arm. It was a super special moment," Montgomery told The News-Gazette.
Montgomery's impressive performance was part of the Lions' efforts, which led to a final team stat total of 364 yards, overtaking the Bengals in both first downs and total yardage. The Bengals, on the other hand, struggled with turnovers, committing three interceptions as found in a game thread from LOCAL12. Jake Browning, stepping in for the injured Joe Burrow, finished with a 76.1 rating, delivering three touchdowns despite the Bengals' poor showing.
While the Bengals continue to reel from their third straight double-digit loss, the NFL saw its share of upsets elsewhere. Both the Buffalo Bills and Philadelphia Eagles had their unbeaten records snatched away yesterday, as reported by CBS19 News. The Bills, previously regarded as Super Bowl favorites, suffered a 23-20 loss to the New England Patriots, which saw 23-year-old quarterback Drake Maye orchestrate the game-winning drive for a victorious field goal. Meanwhile, the Eagles succumbed to the Denver Broncos at home with a score of 21-17, despite having led 17-3 early in the fourth quarter.
This string of NFL surprises, paired with standout individual performances and unexpected outcomes, gives fans plenty to talk about. Jahmyr Gibbs, alongside Montgomery, celebrated a shared milestone as the duo's combined efforts in scoring were compared to historical performances by Dallas' iconic pair of Emmitt Smith and Daryl Johnston. Gibbs and Montgomery's scoring achievements have now tied them for the most in NFL history, much to the delight of Lions fans – specifically the local 66,115 present in Paycor Stadium.
