Bengals vs. Lions: NFL Preseason TV Schedule, Radio, Game Time and More

Where: Ford Field

When: Friday, 7:30 p.m. EST

Watch: WKRC Local 12 Cincinnati, WXYZ-TV ABC 7 Detroit; online at NFL.com (must pay $19.99 for full league-wide package), live look-ins on NFL Network; game replay: 10 a.m. EST Saturday, NFL Network.

Hear: Radio: ESPN 1530 WCKY-AM and WEBN-FM 102.7 Cincinnati, 97.1 The Ticket Detroit

Two young teams with unlimited potential will be squaring off in their first game of the preseason. The Cincinnati Bengals will be heading up to Ford Field to take on the Detroit Lions, and even though preseason play essentially means nothing, this will be the start of a big season for both teams.

The Bengals are facing a new era of football, so they will want to start it off on the right note. They got a huge addition in the draft with wide receiver A.J. Green, and also locked up their quarterback of the future in Andy Dalton from TCU.

The Detroit Lions are looking ahead at what many think to hopefully be their best season yet. They may not be a playoff team, but they have at least built a team worthy of consideration and respect.

The preseason will be huge for the Lions as far as making sure that quarterback Matthew Stafford can stay healthy. They aren't going to give him many reps, but I can guarantee you that they will give him enough reps to get him used to the speed of the game again.

Bengals Key Addition: I think wide receiver A.J. Green is eventually going to be one of the best in the league. The Bengals drafted him to essentially be the offensive face of their franchise, and I don't think he will disappoint. The offense is going to have to rally around him, but he's got the talent to make it work.

Lions Key Addition: Stephen Tulloch is easily a top 15 linebacker in the league. The Lions were in desperate need of a linebacker and they pulled off the impossible free-agent signing by waiting him out. He's going to be a huge addition to their defense and will hopefully even help out the porous secondary.

Bengals Biggest Lost: Chad OchoCinco is going to be missed in Cincinnati for both his personality and his talent. He's not incredible anymore, but he is still very talented and would have played a huge role in helping A.J. Green get used to the speed of the NFL game.

Lions Biggest Lost: Losing rookie running back Mikel Leshoure might end up being one of the most devastating injuries of this season. He will be gone for the year and losing him will clearly mix up the Lions' plans to have him backing up Jahvid Best and adding a huge dynamic to their backfield.

What They're Saying: Joe Reedy of SportingNews is reporting that rookie quarterback Andy Dalton is starting to feel very comfortable with the Bengals offense. He is feeling jitters about starting the game at Detroit, but he is viewing it as another practice.

Kevin Seifert of ESPN says that even though the Lions experienced a huge loss when Mikel Leshoure went down, it's not like they knew what their offense would really be like. They feel they are still on track, and unfortunately they are used to playing without big-time players due to injury.

What's Worth Watching:

I'm very interested to see how rookie quarterback Andy Dalton plays under the pressure of his first game. Even though it's preseason and won't count for much of anything, it is still his first time under the big lights and before the NFL crowds. If he comes out strong it could be a great sign for the Bengals.

Matthew Stafford is still an unanswered question and he hasn't proven much of anything in his short NFL career. He has been injured far too much, but he has shown signs of being a good quarterback. He will take a big step towards gaining confidence in Detroit by having a good series or two.

Biggest Storyline:

Personally, I am the most interested in the Detroit Lions' young team and the potential that they possess. Defensively they have a great front four and should be pretty decent. Offensively they have an explosive ability, but if Matthew Stafford can't come through it's going to be another long year for the Lions.

For more NFL preseason news check out our Bleacher Report NFL page.

-Andrew Kulha