The Cincinnati Bengals are in rough shape to start the year. After getting blanked in their home opener against the Baltimore Ravens 20-0, they had a Thursday night opportunity against a roughed up Texans squad with a rookie quarterback. Yet again, they fell short. The dropped a drubber of a game to the Texans 13-9 which was capped off by a thrilling 49 yard touchdown run by Deshaun Watson. The Bengals look to be re-earning their sad moniker of “The Bungunls”, but there’s still hope.
They’re taking on a Packers team that has one less than convincing win to their name and one loss from this past Sunday night at the hands of the Atlanta Falcons. The Falcons stormed the Pack early on and never looked back. The Pack are becoming a “second-half team” it seems. Through two games, they’ve put up a grand total of seven points through two first two quarters in back to back weeks. If the Bengals can find their scoring touch and get moving quick and early, they’ve got a pretty good shot in this one.
Working rookie Joe Mixon into the game early and abandoning this committee backfield will be key. Mixon is the lone back that has shown any promise thus far, but Marv Lewis keeps resorting to this Hill, Bernard, Mixon mix. After yet another less than stellar start from Hill, though, Lewis and the Bengals should have a shifted game plan this Sunday. Getting Mixon and AJ Green involved early will be critical to any and all success.
As mentioned above, the Packers can’t stop falling asleep in the first half. It seems to be taking quite a while for their offense to wake up these days, but this trend could be bucked against the lowly Bengals. Thus far, Green Bay has had their hands full with the Seattle Seahawks and Atlanta Falcons – two very stud-filled squads. This game should be a little different. Finally, Aaron Rodgers will enjoy quite a bit of time in the pocket against a weakened Bengals D, which will again be without suspended linebacker Vontaze Burfict.
Ty Montgomery has been a strong point through the Pack’s first two games. He’s been sharp in each tilt posting 203 total yards with three touchdowns through the air or on the ground. If #88 can bring his A-game again, the Packers will have a very welcomed ace up their sleeve. Rodgers should have more time to scramble in this game against the Bengals mediocre defensive line as well. A-A-Rodg is at his best when forced out of the pocket and now he’ll have all the time in the world to look for open targets.
This game shouldn’t be an issue for Green Bay unless they make it one. If the Pack get off to yet another slow start, they could find themselves in a bit of trouble against a desperate Bengals squad.
Writer’s Prediction
Cincinnati (+305) falls to 0-3 with a 31-21 loss at Lambeau.
