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Bengals-Packers Preview

GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) Joe Flacco has a chance to do something in his Cincinnati Bengals debut that only one quarterback has accomplished.
Flacco will try to help the Bengals beat Green Bay on Sunday, just three weeks after he defeated the Green Bay Packers as the Cleveland Browns’ starting quarterback. The only quarterback to beat the same opponent twice in one season while playing for two teams was Jack Kemp, who led the AFL’s Buffalo Bills and San Diego Chargers past the New York Titans in 1962.
“It’s at least there in the back of his mind, ‘Man, I’ve played these guys, and I have an understanding of how they try to attack you,'" Bengals coach Zac Taylor said.
The Bengals (2-3) acquired Flacco aftert losing three straight games by a combined score of 113-37 with Jake Browning as their starting quarterback. The Bengals had turned to Browning after two-time Pro Bowl quarterback Joe Burrow hurt his left toe, an injury that is expected to sideline him for three months.
Flacco went 21 of 36 for 142 yards with an interception and no touchdown passes in the Browns' 13-10 triumph over the Packers on Sept. 21. Cleveland won by scoring 13 straight points in the last 3:38.
Packers safety Xavier McKinney already has tried considering this unique situation from Flacco’s perspective.
“I was thinking about just kind of ways he might try to come into this game having different players and a different scheme, already having seen what we’ve done this year,” McKinney said. “So just trying to see if there’s going to be different ways where we can mix it up and show different things and play different things. So I’m going to take a look at that.
"I’m probably going to rewatch the Browns game just to try and watch and see what we were doing a little bit and try to go from there.”
The Packers (2-1-1) are coming back from a bye week as they seek to regain the momentum they established earlier this season in home wins over the Detroit Lions and Washington Commanders. They followed that up by losing at Cleveland and getting a 40-40 tie at Dallas.
BetMGM Sportsbook has Green Bay as a 14-point favorite. Then again, the Packers were eight-point favorites against Flacco’s Browns and lost that game.
According to BetMGM, the last time the Bengals were such a big underdog was in 2020, when the Pittsburgh Steelers came to Cincinnati as 14 1/2-point favorites. The Bengals won that game 27-17.
Flacco is joining a new team, but he might run into the same problems that he had in Cleveland: an unstable offensive line.
The Bengals have allowed 15 sacks, tied for ninth-most in the league. The 38.1% pressured rate is eighth-highest.
Both of Cincinnati’s offensive tackles - Orlando Brown Jr. and Amarius Mims - are in the top 12 in pressure rate. Brown’s 13.3% rate is 10th-highest among left tackles and Mims’ 10.8% rate is 12th highest at right tackle.
Green Bay's Micah Parsons is tied for fourth in the league with 26 pressures and has two games this season in which he recorded at least eight. The Packers sacked Flacco twice in their loss to the Browns.
The Bengals are ranked 30th in total defense (391.2 yards per game), 29th against the pass (259 yards per game) and are allowing the third-most points at 31.2 per game.
It could be another tough afternoon for Cincinnati's secondary, Green Bay tight end Tucker Kraft has 161 yards after the catch and running back Josh Jacobs has 143.
The Packers are averaging 7.0 in YAC per reception, which is second-highest in the league. The Bengals have allowed a league-high 878 yards after the catch, an average of 7.3 YAC per catch.
Green Bay has forced just two turnovers through four games after ranking fourth in the league with 31 takeaways last year. The only team with fewer takeaways is the New York Jets, who haven't forced a turnover all season.
This game offers a chance for Green Bay to take the ball away more often. The Bengals have a league-high 11 turnovers.
Cincinnati might not be quite as prone to turnovers now that Flacco is taking over for Browning, who has thrown eight interceptions. But Flacco's 6-2 interception-touchdown ratio suggests this still could be a major opportunity for Green Bay's secondary.
This is Green Bay's first home matchup since Sept. 11 and its only game at Lambeau Field for a 51-day stretch. The Packers had two road games before taking last week off. They follow this game by heading to Arizona and Pittsburgh.
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AP Sports Writer Joe Reedy contributed to this report.
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AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl
Copyright 2025 STATS LLC and Associated Press. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of STATS LLC and Associated Press is strictly prohibited.
Passing | CP/ATT | YDS | TD | INT | FPTS |
J. Browning
6 QB
58 FPTS
|
J. Browning | 80/124 | 757 | 6 | 8 | 58 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
J. Burrow
9 QB
19 FPTS
|
J. Burrow | 21/36 | 189 | 2 | 0 | 19 |
Rushing | ATT | YDS | TD | LG | FPTS |
C. Brown
30 RB
45 FPTS
|
C. Brown | 65 | 160 | 1 | 11 | 45 | ||||||||||||||||||||
S. Perine
34 RB
6 FPTS
|
S. Perine | 9 | 52 | 0 | 12 | 6 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. Browning
6 QB
58 FPTS
|
J. Browning | 9 | 39 | 1 | 13 | 58 | ||||||||||||||||||||
T. Brooks
25 RB
1 FPTS
|
T. Brooks | 5 | 17 | 0 | 7 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. Chase
1 WR
84 FPTS
|
J. Chase | 1 | 9 | 0 | 9 | 84 | ||||||||||||||||||||
A. Iosivas
80 WR
18 FPTS
|
A. Iosivas | 1 | 5 | 0 | 5 | 18 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. Burrow
9 QB
19 FPTS
|
J. Burrow | 2 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 19 |
Receiving | TAR | REC | YDS | TD | LG | FPTS |
J. Chase
1 WR
84 FPTS
|
J. Chase | 45 | 32 | 374 | 3 | 64 | 84 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
T. Higgins
5 WR
39 FPTS
|
T. Higgins | 27 | 13 | 158 | 2 | 42 | 39 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
A. Iosivas
80 WR
18 FPTS
|
A. Iosivas | 13 | 7 | 116 | 0 | 30 | 18 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
C. Brown
30 RB
45 FPTS
|
C. Brown | 22 | 18 | 95 | 0 | 13 | 45 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
N. Fant
86 TE
22 FPTS
|
N. Fant | 14 | 12 | 80 | 1 | 25 | 22 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
M. Gesicki
88 TE
11 FPTS
|
M. Gesicki | 16 | 8 | 61 | 0 | 15 | 11 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
D. Sample
89 TE
12 FPTS
|
D. Sample | 7 | 4 | 26 | 1 | 16 | 12 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
M. Tinsley
82 WR
9 FPTS
|
M. Tinsley | 4 | 2 | 22 | 1 | 13 | 9 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
S. Perine
34 RB
6 FPTS
|
S. Perine | 5 | 4 | 8 | 0 | 5 | 6 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
C. Grandy
85 TE
1 FPTS
|
C. Grandy | 1 | 1 | 6 | 0 | 6 | 1 |
Defense | T-A | SACK | INT | FF |
D. Knight Jr.
44 LB
|
D. Knight Jr. | 23-16 | 0.0 | 1 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
D. Hill
23 CB
|
D. Hill | 22-11 | 0.0 | 1 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
G. Stone
22 SAF
|
G. Stone | 19-15 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. Battle
27 SAF
|
J. Battle | 15-23 | 0.0 | 2 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
L. Wilson
55 LB
|
L. Wilson | 15-18 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
B. Hill
92 DE
|
B. Hill | 11-11 | 1.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
T. Hendrickson
91 DE
|
T. Hendrickson | 10-3 | 4.0 | 0 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||
K. Jenkins
90 DT
|
K. Jenkins | 9-9 | 1.5 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
T. Slaton
98 DT
|
T. Slaton | 9-12 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
D. Turner
20 CB
|
D. Turner | 7-4 | 0.0 | 1 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
B. Carter
49 LB
|
B. Carter | 6-8 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. Newton
28 CB
|
J. Newton | 6-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. Ossai
58 DE
|
J. Ossai | 5-4 | 2.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
M. Murphy
99 DE
|
M. Murphy | 5-5 | 1.5 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
C. Taylor-Britt
29 CB
|
C. Taylor-Britt | 4-3 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
C. Sample
96 DE
|
C. Sample | 3-4 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
M. Pennel
69 DT
|
M. Pennel | 3-9 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
O. Burks
42 ILB
|
O. Burks | 3-8 | 0.0 | 0 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||
H. Cross III
95 DT
|
H. Cross III | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
S. Stewart
97 DE
|
S. Stewart | 1-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
P. Jules
37 SAF
|
P. Jules | 1-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
M. Wilson
24 CB
|
M. Wilson | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
T. Anderson
26 SAF
|
T. Anderson | 0-2 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
M. Jackson
93 DT
|
M. Jackson | 0-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 |
Kicking | FG | LG | XP | PTS |
E. McPherson
2 K
27 FPTS
|
E. McPherson | 5/5 | 50 | 10/10 | 25 |
Punting | NO | AVG | IN20 | LG |
Kickoff Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD |
Punt Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD |
Passing | CP/ATT | YDS | TD | INT | FPTS |
J. Love
10 QB
86 FPTS
|
J. Love | 84/121 | 1000 | 8 | 1 | 86 |
Rushing | ATT | YDS | TD | LG | FPTS |
J. Jacobs
8 RB
70 FPTS
|
J. Jacobs | 80 | 266 | 4 | 19 | 70 | ||||||||||||||||||||
E. Wilson
23 RB
12 FPTS
|
E. Wilson | 15 | 73 | 0 | 13 | 12 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. Love
10 QB
86 FPTS
|
J. Love | 13 | 62 | 0 | 25 | 86 | ||||||||||||||||||||
M. Golden
0 WR
23 FPTS
|
M. Golden | 6 | 29 | 0 | 9 | 23 | ||||||||||||||||||||
S. Williams
83 WR
8 FPTS
|
S. Williams | 5 | 24 | 0 | 16 | 8 | ||||||||||||||||||||
T. Kraft
85 TE
48 FPTS
|
T. Kraft | 1 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 48 | ||||||||||||||||||||
C. Brooks
30 RB
7 FPTS
|
C. Brooks | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 7 |
Receiving | TAR | REC | YDS | TD | LG | FPTS |
T. Kraft
85 TE
48 FPTS
|
T. Kraft | 20 | 16 | 225 | 2 | 57 | 48 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
R. Doubs
87 WR
52 FPTS
|
R. Doubs | 19 | 13 | 179 | 4 | 48 | 52 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
M. Golden
0 WR
23 FPTS
|
M. Golden | 14 | 11 | 126 | 0 | 46 | 23 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
J. Jacobs
8 RB
70 FPTS
|
J. Jacobs | 14 | 10 | 119 | 0 | 31 | 70 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
D. Wicks
13 WR
20 FPTS
|
D. Wicks | 16 | 10 | 114 | 0 | 16 | 20 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
M. Heath
18 WR
5 FPTS
|
M. Heath | 2 | 2 | 46 | 0 | 37 | 5 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
J. Reed
11 WR
13 FPTS
|
J. Reed | 5 | 3 | 45 | 1 | 26 | 13 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
L. Musgrave
88 TE
7 FPTS
|
L. Musgrave | 4 | 4 | 42 | 0 | 23 | 7 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
E. Wilson
23 RB
12 FPTS
|
E. Wilson | 3 | 3 | 37 | 0 | 25 | 12 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
C. Brooks
30 RB
7 FPTS
|
C. Brooks | 6 | 5 | 30 | 0 | 16 | 7 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
S. Williams
83 WR
8 FPTS
|
S. Williams | 4 | 4 | 23 | 0 | 16 | 8 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
J. FitzPatrick
86 TE
10 FPTS
|
J. FitzPatrick | 3 | 3 | 14 | 1 | 9 | 10 |
Defense | T-A | SACK | INT | FF |
E. Cooper
56 LB
|
E. Cooper | 22-11 | 0.5 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Q. Walker
7 LB
|
Q. Walker | 22-20 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
K. Nixon
25 CB
|
K. Nixon | 15-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. Bullard
20 S
|
J. Bullard | 14-6 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
E. Williams
33 SAF
|
E. Williams | 12-10 | 0.0 | 1 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
X. McKinney
29 SAF
|
X. McKinney | 10-10 | 0.0 | 1 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
R. Gary
52 DE
|
R. Gary | 10-7 | 4.5 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
I. McDuffie
58 LB
|
I. McDuffie | 6-5 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
N. Hobbs
21 CB
|
N. Hobbs | 5-5 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
C. Wooden
96 DE
|
C. Wooden | 5-7 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
C. Valentine
24 CB
|
C. Valentine | 5-2 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
L. Van Ness
90 DE
|
L. Van Ness | 5-4 | 0.5 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
M. Parsons
1 DE
|
M. Parsons | 4-4 | 2.5 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
D. Wyatt
95 DT
|
D. Wyatt | 3-3 | 2.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
N. Stackhouse
93 DT
|
N. Stackhouse | 2-2 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
K. Enagbare
55 DE
|
K. Enagbare | 2-3 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
K. Brooks
94 DT
|
K. Brooks | 1-5 | 0.5 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
B. Sorrell
99 DE
|
B. Sorrell | 0-1 | 0.5 | 0 | 0 |
Kicking | FG | LG | XP | PTS |
B. McManus
17 K
36 FPTS
|
B. McManus | 7/9 | 56 | 11/12 | 32 |
Punting | NO | AVG | IN20 | LG |
Kickoff Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD |
Punt Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD |