Detroit Lions defensive end Aidan Hutchinson (97) sacks Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Jake Browning (6) which was nullified for an offsides penalty during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 5, 2025, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)AP

The Detroit Lions are the kings of Ohio after beating the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 5 action.

Detroit has won four straight games, with back-to-back wins against the Cleveland Browns and Bengals. The defense created three takeaways, forced another two fumbles, and hit Bengals quarterback Jake Browning nine times.

Here are three things we learned from the team’s latest win:

Aidan Hutchinson is playing like a DPOY:

This isn’t a hot take for what it’s worth. Aidan Hutchinson is the current odds-on favorite to win defensive player of the year through five games. But it’s worth pointing out how elite Hutchinson is playing with his return to the field after last year’s injury.

Hutchinson forced a fumble for the third straight game and notched a sack in four straight, bringing his season total to five sacks in five games. And for what it’s worth, Hutchinson has had three sacks and a safety taken away by defensive penalties by teammates.

NFL Pro credits Hutchinson for creating eight pressures against the Bengals on Sunday. He’s the only player in the NFL with at least one sack and seven pressures in three different games to open the year. Three of those pressures came in less than 2.5 seconds from the snap to the disruption point.

Hutchinson was credited with five of the team’s nine quarterback hits. To put it simply, he’s playing at another level, proving the Lions right when they said he’s not just back from the broken leg. He’s better. Those five quarterback hits are a season high, with Hutchinson posting nine of those across the last two games. On the year, Hutchinson has five sacks, 12 quarterback hits and three forced fumbles.

He’s tied for second in sacks. He trails only Nick Bosa in forced fumbles. Hutchinson entered the week as the second-best overall edge rusher, per Pro Football Focus. Once again, he’s proving his name belongs with the Micah Parsons, Myles Garrett, Danielle Hunter and Bosas of the world.

If Hutchinson is able to maintain this pace, much like last year, he’s going to be tough to beat when it comes to defensive player of the year voting. The Lions have never had a player win that year-end award since it came into existence back in 1971.

Amik Robertson is a saving grace for the secondary, but they might need more depth:

Amik Robertson might be among the most underrated defensive backs, not just on this team but around the league. What Robertson is doing, switching from the slot to the outside, is not easy. He’s doing it at a high level, continuing to make plays and help fill the gaps in Detroit’s secondary.

Robertson stepped up with a big play, beating Ja’Marr Chase for a jump ball for one of the team’s three interceptions on the day. He was third on the team with six tackles, and added a pass deflection with some sticky coverage to go along with his first pick as a member of the Lions.

D.J. Reed will miss at least the next three games on injured reserve. Khalil Dorsey (wrist/concussion) missed the game against the Bengals, too. Terrion Arnold continues to struggle with shoulder injuries, exiting the game and not returning for the second straight weekend. Arnold also dealt with groin and hamstring injuries in training camp, so it’s been a challenging couple of months. Rock Ya-Sin exited with cramping late in the game, leading to Tre Flowers seeing some action off the practice squad. Flowers signed with the Lions last week, so the defensive back depth continues to get pushed to the limit.

Robertson will continue moving all over the defensive backfield. It’s not easy. But he’s earned the full trust of the coaching staff, and Robertson continues to prove them right. Even after a game like he had in Cincinnati, all Robertson could think about was the big touchdown he gave up in the fourth quarter. He said he bit too hard, selling out for another interception, when Chase broke free for the easy 64-yard touchdown late in the game.

“I told myself my goal, that I wanted two (interceptions) because I knew I was going to have targets,” Robertson said. “He (Chase) sat at the sticks. I was trying to jump it. That’s all me, man. Just being greedy. Bad eyes. But it’s something I can fix, man, you know, as far as, you know, because when I’m on it, man, when I’m playing with good eyes, whatever, I’m one of the most stickiest guys in the league.

“Me personally, I feel like (expletive) … This (expletive) is all about finishing … We took a step back toward the end of the game, and that (expletive) started with me.”

It’s time for Isaac TeSlaa to get a bump in the order, with or without injuries elsewhere at WR:

Kalif Raymond suffered a neck injury in the first quarter, leading to Isaac TeSlaa playing the most offensive snaps (21) of his career. The targets still aren’t coming in bunches. But, whew, when they do, the third-round rookie makes the most of them.

The targets still aren’t coming in bunches. But, whew, when they do, the third-round rookie makes the most of them.

TeSlaa caught his second touchdown of the year to put the game away for good after a late surge by the Bengals. He also used two hands for the first time in the process. For those counting at home, TeSlaa’s three career catches have been something else. The Michigan native made a one-handed touchdown in the opener. And he had a one-handed 29-yard catch along the sideline to help lead to a score on the next play before the half against the Chicago Bears.

Raymond’s neck injury is not expected to be serious. But it sounds like the receiver could miss next week’s game against the Kansas City Chiefs. With or without Raymond, it’s time to start mixing TeSlaa into the rotation more, and that’s nothing against the important veteran receiver.

Campbell said he was impressed with how TeSlaa handled the increased role despite not practicing most of the plays at full speed with the first team. Jared Goff added that he sees TeSlaa’s route tree continuing to grow, and that he has a ton of confidence when throwing the rookie’s way.

“The stuff we like him on now, we’re very comfortable with,” the Lions quarterback said. “As we go on, there will be more. He has great hands, catches the ball away from his body. For me, as a quarterback, that is the number one thing that makes me confident to throw it to you.

“He’s strong, fast, physical, smart — does all the right things right. As time goes on, he’ll continue to get more and more.”

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