Green Bay Packers v. Bengals Preview: What to Watch For
The Green Bay Packers are set to take on the Cincinnati Bengals for their first noon game of the year this Sunday at Paul Brown Stadium, their sixth visit and first since 2013.
Early games have been a winning tradition in Green Bay the last three years as they are 11-1 under Head Coach Matt LaFleur. Coming off a big win on Sunday against the Steelers, the Green Bay Packers improved to 3-1, marking the third consecutive season they have opened the season with at least three wins in the first four games.
Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers will look to continue their winning ways and improve to 4-1.
The Bengals are also 3-1 and looking for their best start in years. With a Joe Burrow-led offense, the Bengals are looking to put some points on the scoreboard with their young and very talented wide receivers going up against a young Packers secondary.
The Green Bay Packers are seeking rare success in the Jungle, looking for their first victory in Cincinnati since 1998. Let’s take a look at 3-things to keep an eye out for on Sunday.
The Bengals deep passing game
Joe Burrow is deadly deep down the field. The connection with the first-round pick and former LSU teammate Ja’Marr Chase has been successful and even Packers coach Matt Lefleur took notice.
Downfield, Burrow has been excellent with a 128.5 QB rating and three touchdowns when targeting his guys 20+ yards, according to PFF ($$). With All-Pro cornerback Jaire Alexander likely ruled out Sunday, and rookie Eric Stokes lined up, it becomes something to really keep an eye on.
Who starts along the offensive line?
We may see more shuffling along the Packers offensive line. According to Tom Silverstein of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Elgton Jenkins returned to practice Thursday after missing two games with an ankle injury.
The Bengals have been stout up front defensively and if the Packers can get Jenkins back, it should bolster an already solid offensive line.
Pressure, pressure, pressure
Can the Green Bay Packers apply pressure to Burrow and move him around? Really this is a question each Sunday from here on out; however, it became even more of a question after the Packers placed All-Pro pass-rusher Za’Darius Smith on the IR.
Burrow loves to take the big shot downfield; if the Packers can get to Burrow, good things should happen
The Bottom Line
This is a tough game to get a grasp on. The Bengals can be a dangerous team with tons of talent on both sides of the ball and there will reportedly be a sold-out crowd on hand at Paul Brown Stadium come Sunday for the first time since 2016.
Star running back Joe Mixon could very well be out Sunday with an ankle injury which should give the Green Bay Packers the opportunity to turn Cincinnati into a one-dimensional team. Forcing Burrow to throw, applying pressure, and creating turnovers is the recipe for a Packers victory.