The Packers are off from their bye week and get ready to play the Cincinnati Bengals at Lambeau Field late Sunday afternoon.
The Packers are 2-1-1 and most recently played to a 40-40 tie on the road vs the Dallas Cowboys before their bye week. The Bengals are 2-3 after suffering a home loss to the Detroit Lions 37-24.
The Bengals traded for Joe Flacco to help with their quarterback problems, and he will be starting this Sunday. The Packers last saw him when he started for Cleveland. They get another crack at him. He is a veteran who is definitely an upgrade from who they had before. The Packers had trouble stopping him late when he played for the Browns. They get him at home this time but still have to face him. They need to sack him and force turnovers. They haven’t had too many turnovers this year. That needs to change.
Jordan Love had his moments against the Cowboys, but he has had trouble with turnovers the past 2 games. He needs to avoid that and needs to give the Packers an opportunity to score points, especially touchdowns. The offense did some great things against the Cowboys in a game that seems like so long ago now, but that turnover and poor clock management at the end cost them a chance for a victory. Let’s hold onto the ball and score touchdowns whenever we have the chance.
Kicker Brandon McManus suffered a right quad injury that the team said is a major concern, but he insists he will be able to play through it. Let’s hope so. Even before his injury, there has been a problem as he suffered blocked kicks in the team’s last 2 games, both had they not happened and he made the kicks instead, likely would have resulted in victories. Poor kickoff coverage at times vs the Cowboys is also a problem. They need to be much better at special teams, an area which often goes a long way to whether you win or lose a close game, and it went the other way the previous 2 games.
The Packers and Bengals have played 14 previous times with both teams winning 7 games each. Perhaps no game is more famous than when Brett Favre came in for an injured Don Majkowski and led them to a 24-23 victory at Lambeau Field in 1992. An interesting stat in that game: Both teams scored on punt returns, Carl Pickens for the Bengals and Terrell Buckley for the Packers. The winning touchdown was scored by Kitrick Taylor, the only touchdown he would have in his career. The last 2 meetings between the teams went into overtime, both won by the Packers. In the most recent meeting, both teams couldn’t make a kick late. Mason Crosby missed from 36, 51, and 40 yards, the 51-yard attempt would’ve given them the victory in regulation. Evan McPherson was no better as he missed from 57 and 49 yards, the latter where he thought he made the winning kick, only to be disappointed as it sailed on him. On 4th and 1, the Packers shocked the fans as they tried a field goal with the kicker’s problems, but Crosby nailed a 49-yard attempt and won the game, rewarding Matt LaFleur’s confidence in him.
Even though the Packers have played in only 4 games so far this season, it seems like a lot has happened and you’re right. They have experienced it all, wins, a loss, a tie. In fact, when they play on Sunday, they will have gone through more than a calendar month without a victory. They need to get back on the winning track, especially with the Lions winning after their Week 1 loss to the Packers and them playing a tough game at Kansas City this coming Sunday night, and also the Philadelphia Eagles losing twice in a calendar week, first at home to Denver and on Thursday night to the New York Giants on the road. The Packers cannot afford to take this game lightly, especially in this division where the Lions are scoring points, the Vikings are finding ways to win, and the Bears are suddenly 2-2. They need every victory they can get and the schedule is in their favor, but they need to go out and earn these wins.
A lot has happened in this season so far, especially since the Packers played their last game. They will be expected to win most of their games the rest of the season, but they need to go out and earn them. They are in a great position with the schedule they have to pile up the wins and finish the regular season strong, but they have to do their part by playing well. Let’s just focus on the Bengals first. We need this win however we can get it, but let’s jump on them early and keep it up for the full 60 minutes, and I can’t emphasize the full 60 minutes enough. We need to be on our game from the opening kickoff to the final play of the game. Let’s take nothing for granted. Whether you are at the game or at the local bar or wherever you are, let’s make our voices heard and cheer our team to victory on Sunday!
Get Loud Lambeau!
Go Pack Go!
@DieHardPackersFan #DHPF #GetLoudLambeau #GregGoshaw @gg901
