Green Bay Packers v. Bengals: 6 Big Questions Ahead of Matchup
By Paul Bretl
The 3-1 Green Bay Packers are on the road in Week 5 to take on the 3-1 Cincinnati Bengals. As part of my weekly preview of the upcoming opponent, I have my big questions facing this Packers team–and this time around, I have six of them.
Can the Green Bay Packers limit the big play?
Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow ranks 24th in terms of total downfield pass attempts — or targets of more than 20 yards — but when Burrow does let it fly, he’s been fairly effective. His go-to target in these situations has been rookie Ja’Marr Chase, who is second in deep passing receptions among all receivers, tied for first with three touchdowns on downfield targets and fourth in downfield passing yards. As a unit, Cincinnati ranks sixth in explosive pass rate, according to Sharp Football.
Containing this big-play offense gets a lot more difficult without Jaire Alexander, but the Green Bay Packers will have to play disciplined and keep everything in front of them. As a result, we may see more cover-2 from this defense as a way to limit the big play and to provide the cornerbacks with some additional help.
Green Bay’s goal on defense should be to force this young Bengals offense to have to string together 12+ play drives in order to score.
What will the OL configuration look like?
There is going to be more movement along the offensive line for the Green Bay Packers. The good news is that Elgton Jenkins might be back as he is listed as questionable. The bad news is that Green Bay will be without Josh Myers.
If Jenkins can play, then Green Bay has two options: one is to put Jenkins back at left tackle and to start Lucas Patrick at center. Or the team can put Jenkins at center and keep Yosh Nijman at left tackle. If Green Bay is without Jenkins again, then we likely see Patrick at center and Nijman at left tackle.
This is also another week where the Green Bay Packers offensive line is going to be up against a good defensive front.