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!  :-)

2021 NFL Week 5: Packers vs. Bengals Preview and Prediction

First things first: the Packers did what they needed to do last weekend vs. the Pittsburgh Steelers: win. The Pack finished the first quarter of the season with a 3-1 record, as we projected in our season preview. So we're on track so far. Yay.

But in the win last week there was also a huge loss: CB Jaire Alexander suffered a potentially severe shoulder injury while making a tackle. He's on the temporary IRL for at least the next three games...or for the season if he needs surgery. Not great. Especially with Za'Darius Smith out for the season, as well. That's two big impact players out for the defense today. Against a burgeoning offense on the part of the Cincinnati Bengals. So...time for the preview...

This is the image we hope to see at the end of today's game vs. the Bengals:

a smiling head coach Matt LaLleur and happy QB Aaron Rodgers.

(Photo by Tim Fuller/USA TODAY Sports)

The Preview

The Packers come into this game banged up on defense, as noted above, and also on offense where starting rookie center Josh Myers is out with a finger injury, all-purpose swingman Elgton Jenkins is out ... in total, three out of five of the usual starters are out overall. Not great against a good defensive line. Will they be able to protect Rodgers? Will they be able to open running lanes for Aaron Jones and A.J. Dillon? The approach needs to be balanced in order to keep the ball and at the same time keep Bengals QB Joe Burrows and his young but very talented receiving corps on the bench.

The Packers are favored by 2-1/2 points at the time of this writing.

Four out of the next five games are on the road for the Pack. Starting things off with a win in Cincinnati would certainly help in this tough stretch of games. But it's not going to be easy.

The Prediction

We — and many other prognosticators — see this as a game that could go either way. The Packers defense needs to get pressure on Burrows or it could be a long day for the secondary. The Packers duct-taped offensive line needs to protect Rogers, obviously, but also needs to open up running lanes to keep the Bengals defense from continual pressure on Rodgers.

We're calling this game Packers 27 - Bengals 24.

Go Pack Go!!!

2017 NFL Week 4: Packers vs. Bears Preview and Prediction

The Green Bay Packers overcame an extremely sluggish and sloppy first half to escape last Sunday's game against the Cincinnati Bengals with an overtime victory on field goal by Mason Crosby set up by an amazing 73-yard catch and run by Geronimo Allison.

The Packers are, at this early stage of the season, not what they'd like to be or probably expected to be. After coming through training camp and pre-season relatively healthy, they have been beset with injuries galore from game one on. None are more concerning than those affecting the offensive line, i.e., the protectors of QB Aaron Rodgers. It's still not clear whether even one of the starting tackles will actually be able to play even some of tonight's game. And the primary back-up at tackle -- Kyle Murphy -- also went on Injured Reserve after the game. The options are thinning. Not a way you want to go into a game against what is a not-bad defensive front on the part of tonight's opponent, Da Bearz.

Packers QB Aaron Rodgers will have have another

of his standout games against Chicago tonight.

(Photo: Dan Powers/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin)

The Prediction

Since this is a short week of preparation for the Packers, we'll make this preview short, as well. Both teams are coming off unseasonably hot games in their home stadiums, in wich they both won in overtime. Chicago has two young running backs who are trying to make names for themselves and doing a good job of it so far. The Packers have, well, Aaron Rodgers and a host of exceptional receiving talent. Defenses each have their strengths. Given that the Packers playing at home, and with their offense -- beat up as the line is -- the oddsmakers are setting the spread at 7 points in favor of the Pack.

The Pack will likely have to use their tight ends more to assist in protection than in the receiving game. If running back Ty Montgomery can get going, or one of the Pack's other young running backs can get enough carries and yards to help keep Da Bearz from teeing off on Rodgers every play, the Pack could have a bit of an easier time at it.

But we think it's going to be a close game unless the Pack can somehow jump out to an early lead...which has not really been its M.O. this season or in recent years for that matter.

We're calling it Packers 24 - Bears 20.

Go Pack Go!!!

2017 NFL Week 3: Packers vs. Bengals

This is really pushing it, Packer fans. About 30 minutes before kickoff as I write this. Obligations this weekend precluded any earlier posting. So..apologies.

The Packers lost in disheartening fashion in Atlanta last weekend. After a defensive tour de force at home agains the Seahawks many fans saw the "D" revert to its NFC Championship game form. In short, oy.

Anyway, it's likely that today's game is just what the doctor ordered: the Cincinnati Bengals. They haven't scored a touchdown in two games, both at home. You know they have to break through at some point. You just hope it doesn't start in any major way today.

Our Prediction

The Packers are favored by 9 points. That should be the case. Plus more. Granted, the Packers are already banged up going into just the third week of the season. And a record may be set for the hottest game ever played at Lambeau Field. Yes, really. Not coldest. Hottest. So that will put extra stress on players. You never know who might cramp up at an inopportune time in the game, or who might not even be able to return. Hydration will be key today. As will the Packers offense playing to the level they are capable of, and the defense reprising their opening game effort.

We're calling this one Packers 31 - Bengals 9.

Go Pack Go!!!

Week 3: Packers vs Bengals Preview

First, I am going to highly recommend to you that if you want to get an overall view of our look at the game today between the Green Bay Packers and Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium that you please see our pre-preview from two days ago. That will give you an overall flavor of things as we see it.

Not much has changed in the past couple days to make us alter our view of things. The Packers are still favored by 3 points (or 2-1/2 depending upon your source). We still think a lot of points will go up on the board (the over-under has actually increased, from 48.5 to 49.5 points).

It's interesting to read through all the various scenarios pundits posit about this game. As noted in our pre-preview, this game -- for some -- is a preview of a potential Super Bowl match up. Certainly they are two potent teams. Each has an edge in certain areas, so watching the chess match being played out by the coaches and coordinators through the course of the game will be nearly as interesting to watch as the plays on the field. Well, not really. That was hyperbole. Forgive me. Nothing is going to be more fun today than watching two talented offenses go at one another and seeing what the defenses try to do to slow things down.

The Bengals have one of the game's best receivers in A.J. Green. They have good tight ends. Well, the Packers have three very good receivers and some good tight ends of their own, including one by the name of Jermichael Finley who seems to have regained a bit of his mojo and, more importantly, the trust and confidence of the guy throwing to him.

Oh, yes, did we mention quarterbacks? Andy Dalton is a capable quarterback and can do damage if the Packers defense doesn't get to him early and often. But is he of the same caliber as Aaron Rodgers? No. You can say -- and some rightly do -- that the edge in the running game goes to the Bengals. That's fine. The Pack will have to find a way to keep that in check, definitely. And the edge on the defensive side of things has to go the Bengals way, especially in the front seven and, given the battered nature of the Packers' secondary, to the entire defensive unit. But is it a huge difference? Depends upon who steps up on both sides.

Still, given the Packers' offensive weapons -- and particularly if RB James Starks can come even marginally close to reprising what he did against Washington (he won't...this isn't the Redskins D we're playing) -- I have to take the Packers, as do the majority of pundits it seems, to win this game.

It could be ugly early on offense for the Pack, as it was last week against Washington. And given the much better defensive front seven of the Bengals it could actually be quite ugly for a while. But the Packers' defense is improved over last season, as well, despite the injuries and gaps in the secondary right now. The Packers' D should be able to get to Dalton or at least be disruptive and that could be enough to upset the apple cart.

I'm calling this one Packers 31-24 over the Bengals.

GO PACK GO!!!
(Photo of Aaron Rodgers above by Jim Biever, Packers.com)