The Green Bay Packers looked to come out of the bye week and get back in the win column for the first time in over a month. After a hot start gave way to some frustrating games, this potential Super Bowl contender was desperate to sharpen its offense and get its vaunted defense firing on all cylinders again.
The Burrow-less Cincinnati Bengals, now led by (old) new arrival Joe Flacco and already notorious for its porous defense, seemed the perfect get-right opponent. And that indeed proved to be the case as the Packers went on to win, 27-18, although it wasn’t an entirely smooth ride.
An early, uncharacteristic interception from Jordan Love stalled the offense early, although Green Bay eventually put up 10 points in the first half, while the defense stymied the nearly immobile Flacco.
Cincinnati opened the third quarter with a drive that spanned over 10 minutes and resulted in a touchdown, making it a 10-7 game. The Packers responded with a score of their own, but the Bengals refused to give up, tacking on a field goal to turn it into a one-score game again. A Love TD to Tucker Kraft to go up 24-10 would be all the points Green Bay would need in their eventual 27-18 victory.
Here are five numbers that tell the story of the game.
40
Flacco, Cincinnati’s new starting quarterback, got off to an awful start, throwing for only 40 yards in the first half. Green Bay’s defense is challenging enough for a quarterback who knows the playbook inside and out. However, facing them with just five days of continuity with a new team is a Herculean task, even for a savvy if stiff-framed veteran like Flacco.
People will point out that Flacco has handed the Packers their only loss of the season when he was playing for the Cleveland Browns three weeks ago. However, in many ways, it felt like the Browns won despite his performance.
Flacco’s lack of continuity and familiarity with the playbook only amplified his faults. Flacco was unable to get on the same page as Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins. Most of the passes he threw hit the turf well short of any receiver.
Strangely enough, the only time he looked comfortable in the first half was operating the two-minute drill, where he gained 27 of his 40 yards through the air.
5
The Packers have held double-digit leads in all five of their games this season. While the record might be a little less than ideal at 3-1-1, the Packers have been in commanding positions in all five of these games.
In Weeks 1 and 2, the potential for dominance was on full display as they outpaced the Detroit Lions and Washington Commanders. That started the discussions about them as potential favorites in the NFC.
However, the Packers regressed in the next two weeks. Those double-digit leads evaporated, largely thanks to turnovers. While it’s fair to say that Green Bay’s record has been slightly underwhelming compared to this team’s potential, they have put themselves in positions to win every single game.
5.2
Josh Jacobs had his breakout performance this week, averaging 5.2 yards per carry. Coming into this game, there was some concern around Jacobs and the run game, averaging just three yards per carry, especially given how heavily the offense leaned on him last season.
This week, the RBs bounced back and looked more like their old selves, punishing the league’s worst run defense. While the first half started a bit slow, Jacobs found his footing in the second half, getting 69 yards on nine touches, punishing defenders, and allowing Green Bay’s offense to control the clock.
Jacobs was also equally impressive as a receiver this week, catching five passes on five targets for 57 yards. After the first two games, where Jacobs looked to be a non-factor in the receiving game, he has become one of Green Bay’s most integral players as a receiver. In the past three games, he has 172 receiving yards, and he has provided a great checkdown option for Love.
102
Matthew Golden had his breakout performance this week, putting up 102 all-purpose yards. Golden has flashed his significant potential over the past couple of weeks, as seen on his 46-yard reception against the Dallas Cowboys. This week, he had the best performance in his young career, capping it off with a 31-yard reception on third-and-long late in the fourth quarter to all but ice the game.
Golden has been incredible at stretching the field, recording four receptions of 30 or more yards in his last three games. He has become more of a priority for Love and Green Bay’s offense at large. Matt LaFleur needs to figure out how to get the ball in Golden’s hands more often.
With Christian Watson set to come back soon, it will be interesting to see how Green Bay’s offense can utilize these two deep threats and get even more vertical in their passing game.
2
Love has thrown two interceptions so far this season, with his pick today coming on a tipped ball in the opening drive. Given the problematic nature of turnovers and their immediate effects on the Packers, there were questions about how the team would bounce back after facing early adversity. The Packers responded decisively, stopping Cincinnati’s offense in its tracks. They would end up claiming a lead and never relinquish it.
While the Bengals are probably one of the easier tests they could have faced, it was good to see Love and the rest of the Packers respond to the early adversity.
