2025 NFL Week 6 Packers vs. Bengals: Preview & Prediction

A quick review, Packer fans ... Week 4 against the Cowboys in Dallas ... a wholly unsatisfying 40-40 tie (following the loss in Cleveland!) to put the Packers at 2-1-1 going into their Week 5 bye. Oy. A game the Pack was in control of during the first half that got away from them through the issues which also arose in the loss — LOSS! — at Cleveland, namely penalties, bad tackling and abhorrent special teams play that likely once again — as versus the Browns — cost the team the game.

Week 5 ... the bye week. A time when you figured that it might be a time for the Packers to get a bit healthier and regain the mojo they exhibited in the first two games of the season. Well, think again. Because it seems as if the Packers are as snack-bitten as any team early in the season with injuries. Even coming out of the bye week, questions arise in some critical areas. Key among them, at least according to a concerned head coach Matt LaFleur, is a right leg quad issue with kicker Brandon McManus. McManus sounds as if he'll be good to go; LaFleur is not so certain. In fact, the Packers brought in and activated another kicker, Lucas Havrisik, just in case McManus can't go today. In addition, OL Anthony Belton, DL Devonte Wyatt and OL Rasheed Walker all missed some practice this week, with Belton, Wyatt and WR Christian Watson listed as out for the game. Offensive linemen Zach Tom, Aaron Banks and Jacob Monk are all questionable as is DB Nate Hobbs.

Fans may or may not see reliable Packers Kicker Brandon McManus

against the Bengals today.

(Photo via the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)

Amazing. It's a good thing it's a home game today against the Bengals. Although after the debacle in Cleveland, it's clear we can't take any opponent for granted, not even one that just signed (from Cleveland) veteran QB Joe Flacco to try to at least be competitive in the absence of regular starter Joe Burrow.

The Preview

As noted above, the Packers will be seeing QB Joe Flacco for the second time in three weeks today. Signed just this past week to help a reeling Bengals team without their phenom starter Joe Burrow. So, Flacco knows the Pack and the Pack know him. As was the case when he was with the Browns, the Packers need to get pressure on him because he's a statue back there. Flacco had had time to prepare with his receivers in Cleveland and executed quick releases to keep the Packers defense from getting to him; he has not had that amount of time with his Bengals receivers, especially deep threats Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, or the offensive scheme, which will undoubtedly be simplified to put him in the best place to succeed.

Still, the Packers defense has to do what they are capable of doing: getting to the QB, covering downfield and making sure tackles. If the defense does that today, the Packers will emerge with the "W". DE Micah Parsons needs to continue to inspire this entire defense with his own play-making ability to elevate the level of play overall.

One element of the Pack's defense, among others that has been especially lacking so far has been the ability to create turnovers. If memory serves, there has been only a few interceptions through four games and no — zero — fumble recoveries. They need to start generating takeaways.

Now, the trick for the Packers offense, regardless of who is on the offensive line, is opening holes for running backs Josh Jacobs and Emanuel Wilson to set up the passing game for Jordan Love whom they also must protect. The Bengals defense, led by DE Trey Hendrickson, can present problems if the O-line doesn't handle business. The Packers have all the offensive weapons they need to beat any team. Bu they have to execute. And Coach LaFleur has to do a better job in play-calling and time management if push comes to shove (which, if you think about it, is pretty much what the entire game of football is about).

Packers special teams ... oy. They arguably have already lost one game and helped cause the tie in the other. Breakdowns on kick protection are inexcusable. As is lack of production on punt and kick returns, both in terms of coverage as well as returns themselves. Then today, toss in the unknown variable of McManus' availability and the possibility of the kicking team working with an entirely new kicker...the recipe for disaster once again rears its ugly head...not that it needed any help in that regard.

The Prediction

So here we are, Packer fans. Back at Lambeau Field for the first time in a month ... and won't be back at Lambeau for another month ... yes, really. What a weird schedule the league saddled the Packers with.

Anyway, the Packers are favored in this game by a lopsided 14-1/2 points as of the time of this writing. In our point of view, this is never a good thing. Unless you are a betting person, of course, and play the odds one way or another. Still, the oddsmakers are putting the game clearly in the Packers hands. Could they be upset again, as in Cleveland? You bet (pun intended). Could they mismanage the game again as in Dallas and get another tie? Extremely doubtful.

As the identity of this Packers squad is still not clear, and with the questions about player availability and special teams play, we're calling this game Packers 27 - Bengals 17.

Go Pack Go!!!

A Note About Week 7 at Arizona

It's a bit unclear to us at the moment whether we will have our regular Preview & Prediction for next Sunday's game in Phoenix. The reason being that we will actually be at that game, along with a couple of ol' (both literally and figuratively) buddies and wives (you know who you are!). Travels prior to the game may preclude our pondering and prognostication. Just so you know. If we can toss anything out ahead of time, we will. But just in case ... we'll call it now in favor of ... the Packers, of course!  :-)

2024 NFL Week 7: Packers vs. Texans Preview & Prediction

Last weekend, Packers fans, Green Bay played its most complete and balanced game so far this season beating the Cardinals 34-13. The Pack dominated Arizona on both sides of the ball. QB Jordan Love threw for 258 yards, 4 TDs and 1 INT (the latter coming after a slip by the receiver). Total yardage for the Packers amounted to 437 compared to 303 for Arizona. The rushing attack amounted to 179 total yards for Green Bay compared to 89 for the Cardinals. The Pack's defense also continued its takeaway binge, recovering 3 fumbles by Arizona and also getting an interception (by Xavier McKinney, of course). The Packers dominated time of possession by nearly a full quarter.

A great win, especially against a team that had just the week before beaten the Packers' kryptonite team, the 49ers.

So that was then. Now is now. Which brings us to the matchup Sunday between the 4-2 Packers and the 5-1 Houston Texans.

You won't be seeing the Packers in their traditional home colors today.

Instead, the Packers will be rolling out their new 'Winter Warning' color scheme.

For more looks, check out these views.

The Preview

This is a game many were looking forward to as it would showcase two hot young quarterbacks — Jordan Love and C.J. Stroud — and teams expected to compete not only for the playoffs but perhaps even the Super Bowl this season.

For the Packers, the Texans are coming to Lambeau Field at an opportune time. Based upon the latest injury reports available, the Packers are expected to be pretty much all-hands-on-deck, with only DL Devonte Wyatt, and TE Luke Musgrave, who was previously placed on the IR list, out. Conversely, the Texans come to town a bit beat up and without several of their key players both on offense and defense which plays to the Pack's advantage.

Jordan Love, as evidenced by his performance vs. the Cardinals, seems to be nearly over his MCL knee sprain, although he will still be wearing a brace on the left knee for protection. WR Romeo Doubs, despite whatever was going on with him the week he was suspended, returned with a subdued vengeance catching two TD passes from Love. WR Christian Watson also seemed to be past his ankle sprain, lengthening the field for a huge and wide open TD pass. RBs Josh Jacobs and Emanuel Wilson continue to get the yards on the ground.

Defensively, the Packers are thriving on and benefitting from takeaways. The linebackers and secondary are making plays. Most fans are still waiting for the defensive line to exert more pressure on the opposing quarterbacks. But keep in mind this is the first season under new defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley's 4-3 scheme. It seems over the last few games particularly that he is devising different schemes as he has become more familiar with what his personnel are capable of. So perhaps we'll see more pressure on Stroud who, like Kyler Murray last week, is one of those run-pass threats that has so often given the Packers fits. The key will be containing him. In doing so, the Packers defense will also have to stop Houston's running backs, particularly Joe Mixon. While WR Stefon Diggs will be available for Stroud, Robert Woods is out. So not his full complement of weapons, shall we say. On defense, Houston will be shorthanded at linebacker and in the secondary, which should play to Love's advantage over the course of the game.

If there's any question mark in this game it is, we have to say, the kicking game. Oy. It's been a dumpster fire since the Packers opted to let Mason Crosby walk away. The Packers are now on their third active kicker...actually, they have had seven kickers in the building from preseason till now and, as U2 might say, they "still haven't found what they're looking for". I repeat: oy. The team parted ways this past week with rookie kicker, "Wide Right" Brayden Narveson, and signed veteran Brandon McManus. He has kicked in a Super Bowl, so there's that. You can read all about McManus here. Let's hope he can bring the consistency that Narveson et al were unable to bring in their appearances.

The Prediction

Looking at the records, one would probably give the nod to Houston. But the Packers are healthy and the Texans are not. Some may feel Stroud is the better QB over Love; we would not...a push at best.

With the Packers at full strength, the offense humming, and the defense feeling its mojo, we give them the advantage in this game.

Weather is not expected to be a factor; actually, the forecast is very good for this time of year.

The point spread is favoring the Pack by 2-1/2 points at the time of this writing.

We're call it Packers 34 - Texans 24.

Go Pack Go!!!

2024 NFL Week 6: Packers vs. Cardinals Preview & Prediction

The Packers got a big win in Los Angeles last weekend, 24-19. In fact, Packer fans, it was the team's first win against the Rams in LA since 1966 (courtesy of a lengthy stay by the Rams in St. Louis from 1995-2015, of course)! The game turned out to be a bit closer than it should have been, but the Pack found ways when it needed to to escape, coming home with a "W" instead of a "L".

At 3-2 going into the game against the 2-3 Cardinals — also a former St. Louis team, for those that remember (poor St. Louis!)...and, yes, they were in Chicago before that, too, for the history nerds out there! — the Packers are two games behind the 5-0 ViQueens in the NFC North. (Who would have imagined at this stage of the season Minnesota and Kansas City would be the remaining undefeated teams in the NFL?)

Let's look at this game vs. the Cards to see if the Pack can gain a bit on Minnesota during that team's bye week.

 

QB Jordan Love will continue his recovery from his left knee injury against AZ.

(Photo by Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)

The Preview

For starters, the Packers may have both wide receivers Christian Watson and Romeo Doubs once again available as pass-catching threats; Watson is listed as questionable on the injury report. Without them last weekend, the Pack did just fine, but having these additional threats available — particularly even the threat of Watson to stretch the field against a so-so Arizona defense — certainly opens things up even more for the Packers offense.

Unfortunately, Green Bay placed TE Luke Musgrave on IR late this week, resulting in them picking up TE John FitzPatrick from the Atlanta Falcons practice squad. Tucker Kraft has been the tight end of choice as the season has developed, helping not only with his blocking but receiving skills. FitzPatrick did participate in the team's Friday practice after arriving in Green Bay so he may find himself in a few select blocking sets and perhaps on special teams, as well. The Packers also elevated fullback Andrew Beck from their own practice squad. It would seem from these moves that the Packers are loading up on blocking to help establish and exploit the running game with Josh Jacobs and Emanuel Wilson to open up the passing game. It could be a lot of fun if that were to all fall into place...and not get hampered by offensive penalties as has been the bugaboo so far this season.

Another player expected to return for the Pack, although still listed as questionable on the Pack's injury report, is Jaire Alexander. Certainly, having him available to go against Cardinals WR Marvin Harrison Jr. would be a plus for the defense. He did have limited participation in practice this week so he should see action.

As for the Cardinals, things pretty much begin and end with QB Kyler Murray. He's one of those quarterbacks that have historically given the Packers fits — regardless of defensive coordinator: a run-pass threat on every offensive play. Much like Jalen Hurts in the first game of the season, the Packers need to keep Murray from beating them with his legs. But he's got a strong arm, too. Tough to defend. Has some weapons around him, particularly the aforementioned Harrison. Arizona also has a suitable running back in the relatively unknown (at least in these parts) James Conner. And the Cards defense — especially its red zone defense — hasn't been horrible; in fact, some analysts suggest it was the reason they went against the Niners last weekend on the road and came home with a 24-23 win.

While favored by 5 points at the time of this writing, this game is not a cake-walk for the Packers...no game is. In fact, Bill Huber who has covered the Pack since 2008, just wrote this article for Sports Illustrated entitled 'Three Reasons Why Packers Will Lose to Cardinals'. So while the Packers should win, especially at Lambeau Field, nothing is a given.

The Prediction

While the consensus generally has the Packers winning this game, as the above-linked article notes there are reasons to think otherwise. Clearly, if the Packers don't play to the level of which they are capable — especially on defense — Arizona could pull off the upset just as they did against the Niners.

We, however, feel that the Packers have the personnel and are showing the grit — yeah, grit — and growth to prevail. It might not always be pretty, and they may once again leave some points on the field (and have badly-time penalties) to make it closer than it should otherwise be. But assuming that the Packers can get out to an early lead and make the Cardinals a bit more one dimensional, the Pack will go to 4-2 on the season when the clock winds down to zero at the end of the 4th quarter.

We're calling it Packers 30 - Cardinals 24.

Go Pack Go!!!

P.S. Yes, we know that our Packers score would generally indicate three field goals among the scoring (OK, OK, or four TDs and a safety...happy now?!) in order to achieve the total. But we have to believe rookie K Brayden Narveson has worked on his "wide right" issues so it's not a crap shoot every time he kicks the ball. Today, if he gets three chances, he makes them.

2018 NFL Week 13: Packers vs. Cardinals Preview & Prediction

Without beating a dead horse yet once again, the Green Bay Packers were unable to win again on the road last week, this time against the ViQueens, making the team's road record this season 0-6. Not good. At all. Especially when you consider that it's actually worse than that: the road loss streak extends back into last season. Oy.

There, that's' done. And with that loss at Minnesota, so, too, might be the Packers season. At 4-6-1 with five games left...the Pack is going to need a miracle of splitting-the-Red Sea proporations in order to somehow slide into the playoffs. (And, by the way, Happy Hanukkah to our Jewish sisters and brothers around the planet.)

Packers WR Jake Kumerow has finally been activated off IR. How much action he'll see, and what impact he'll have, remains to be seen today and for the remainder of the season.
(Photo: Dan Powers/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wis)

The Packers will once again be limited both offensively and defensively by injuries to key personnel. DL Mike Daniels and WR Trevor Davis have both been placed on the injured reserve list and are done for the season. Safeties Kentrell Brice and Raven Greene, along with RB Tra Carson, are all out today with injuries. At last notice (subject to change), OT David Bakhtiari, CB Kevin King, WR Randall Cobb, OG Lane Taylor and CB Bashaud Breeland were all listed as questionable.

If Bakhtiari is unable to go, the Packers might wind up having to give help to back up Jason Spriggs who was not able to hold up well last weekend in relief of Bakhtiari. It also became apparent how good Lane Taylor is week in and week out once he also had to leave the game last week.

The Packers opponent today, the Arizona Cardinals, have the 32nd-ranked rush defense in the league going into this game. That, combined with cold and snowing weather predicted for today's game at Lambeau Field, should be a recipe for a steady diet of RB Aaron Jones. But you still need an offensive line that can create those running opportunities...as well as keep QB Aaron Rodgers upright.

During preseason, WR Jake Kumerow was the talk of camp. He and Rodgers had seemingly developed a good rapport. Kumerow led in receiving yards until his celebratory shoulder dive into the endzone on a long-yardage reception and TD wound up knocking him out of the lineup until today. Given the injuries in the wide receiver group, Kumerow should get some action today. It was also hinted that he might get some return opportunities particularly now that Trevor Davis has been placed on IR. Let's just see if he and Rodgers have been able to rekindle that preseason magic; the Pack could sure use it.

The Prediction

Given that the warm-weather, 2-9 Cardinals will be coming into Lambeau led by a rookie QB and with issues offensively and defensively overall, it's no wonder that the Packers are 14-point favorites, albeit as "meh" as they have performed to this point in the season. The Pack hasn't lost at home yet this season. So at least there's that. This should be a game where, if the team isn't totally phoning it in at this point behind what seems more and more to be the lame duck tenure of head coach Mike McCarthy, the Packers should win this handily. On the other hand, the Pack has continued to find ways to self destruct and have yet to really play a complete game all season. So if the Packers don't come to play...anything can happen. 

We're hoping the Cards are exactly what the doctor ordered to at least get the Pack to 5-5-1 after today's game.

We're calling it Packers 34 - Cardinals 20.

Go Pack Go!!!