Bernard Scott. Larry Johnson. Cedric Benson. In three straight games, three different Cincinnati Bengals running backs have topped 100 yards.

It's no fluke.

By committing themselves to running the ball and grinding it out, the Bengals (9-3) have transformed their offense and their fortunes. A 23-13 win over Detroit on Sunday assured them of only their second winning record in 19 years and secured their hold on first place in the AFC North.

They've chosen to turn the season into one long grind, and it's working.

"It is a wonderful feeling," said Benson, who ran 36 times for 110 yards after missing two games with a hip injury. "It is always good to have the football in your hands. It's always a fun deal to get the running game going like that."

Not too much fun to be on the Lions' side of things. Detroit (2-10) outplayed the home team in the first quarter, taking a 7-0 lead that prompted loud boos, then faded as the Bengals kept handing off to drain the clock and the Lions' chances of an improbable comeback.

It went badly all over for the Lions. Rookie quarterback Matthew Stafford, who hurt his non-throwing shoulder in a win over Cleveland on Nov. 22, got tackled on the shoulder late in the game and didn't return. He was expected to get medical tests in Detroit.

Stafford will consider missing at least one game to let the left shoulder heal.

"It's something I'm going to have to think about," said Stafford, who went 11 of 26 for 143 yards with a touchdown and two interceptions. "Who knows? I may be playing next week. I have no idea right now, to tell you the truth."

The top draft pick has been playing with the injury, impressing his teammates for hanging in there during an already lost season.

"When you think about who we are and look at our record, it's easy for a lot of guys to shut it down," right tackle Gosder Cherilus said. "He's not one of those guys. We show up early and put in the work. He's right there next to us. When you see that, you appreciate it and try to give him the same in return."

Stafford's 54-yard touchdown pass to Calvin Johnson stunned the Bengals, who got pushed around in the first quarter _ they managed only 47 total yards. A play by 6-foot-7 rookie defensive lineman Michael Johnson changed the mood. Johnson stretched his long arms and batted one of Stafford's passes into the air. End Jonathan Fanene caught it cleanly, tucked the ball into the crook of his left arm and ran 45 yards untouched for his first career score.

"When the ball was in the air, I just grabbed it and took off running," Fanene said of his first career interception. "I wasn't worried about slowing down or anybody tackling me."