Intriguing Game– NFL, Week Five
Green Bay Packers at Cincinnati Bengals
Packers: Is Aaron Rodgers still uninterested? I’m not asking for anyone else but myself. After week one, this man was bashed heavily but the last time I checked, football is a team sport. The last three games, he’s silenced the doubters and haters and just like that, the Green Bay Packers are 3-1 and on top of the NFC North. I’ve really liked how they’ve looked in their last two games. In California against the 49ers, they moved the football so fluidly up and down the field. Against the Steelers in week four, that was one of their more complete wins in recent memory. How did they do it? They truly dominated in all three phases of the football game. The Packers piled up 23 first down, so when you can convert and move the chains as efficiently as that, it calls for a good day at the office. They also converted on nine of 15 third down opportunities. The most important thing I took away from their offense was how balanced they were. They used a nice mix of run and pass which helped their cause. The Packers defense also came to play and it showed as they helped continue the Pittsburgh woes. Now, I’m a big fan of Aaron Jones. He’s exactly the running back this team needed all along. I feel the Packers should implement him more in the passing game because he’s just as effective as a receiver as he is a runner. As sharp as they looked in week four, I’m still concerned if this consistency can hold up. They do this every year. Have a few games where they play all around football, then slip up. On Sunday, they make a road trip to Ohio.
Bengals: I really didn’t know what to expect from them so far. They squeaked out that win in week one and ever since that loss in Chicago, they’ve rebounded nicely. I loved how they punched the Pittsburgh Steelers in the mouth every chance they got in week three. I know last week they got off to a strong start. But here’s the thing: The good teams can adjust at the half. The Bengals let Joe Burrow fire the cannons as he connected on passes with Ja’Marr Chase and C.J. Uzomah. Next, Joe Mixon was getting his touches and the defense stepped up to make plays when they needed too. I want to elaborate more on Burrow for a second if I can. I had the privilege to cover and break down many of his college games back at LSU. The same confident player I saw then in college is the same guy I see now in the NFL. He plays with so much moxie and swagger. If we’re being honest, you don’t find those two traits I listed in young quarterbacks too often. In a year of surprises, the Bengals are 3-1 after four games. The offense is doing more than enough to keep them in games and the defense has improved significantly since last season. I see a more disciplined unit in every phase of the unit. The AFC North is interesting. The Browns are in the mix as are the Ravens. You could say the same about these Bengals. They have a big game on Sunday with the reigning MVP coming to town.
Packers X-Factor: Allen Lazard– With Marquez Valdes-Scantling injured, this is where Allen steps into that role. There were moments last season when Davante Adams was out, and he stepped up and became that go to target for the quarterback. Allen is a factor in the short, quick passing game, over the middle and intermediate and he’s good here and there for a deep pass down the field. He knows his role. They don’t need him to be a number one option. He stays within his lane.
Bengals X-Factor: Joe Mixon– He is their “Aaron Jones”. Just as Aaron does, Joe is that dual threat running back that takes handoffs in the back field and can be used as a receiver. He’s Burrow’s safety valve. When any of those other weapons are taken away down the field, this is who Joe turns too. Out the backfield as a runner, his vision is great. He lets the lanes open, then he bursts through. The Packers will have their hands full with him on Sunday.
Final Thoughts: This game immediately had my attention when I saw it. Two 3-1 teams and this will mark the first meeting between a legendary quarterback in Aaron Rodgers and an up-and-coming quarterback in Joe Burrow. If you think about it, neither of these teams have been consistently tested. This is an active Bengals defense that will mix things up to throw Rodgers off his rhythm. Rush four, protect the middle and play press against those receivers. I’m making Aaron hesitate before he throws. When watching the Bengals offense, they must slow the game down. Don’t try matching Aaron throw for throw because that plays into his game. This can be a close game throughout. I expect the ball to fly all over the field.
Prediction: Packers 27, Bengals 24
