When the Packers' game with Bengals potentially comes down to the final few minutes of fourth quarter on Sunday, you might say "Who Dey?"
Indeed, the 3-1 Bengals enter Week 5 with a refurbished identity under Zac Taylor, who's in the process of leading a seemingly successful rebuilding effort in just over two years as head coach. Collecting their fourth win of the 2021 season may not be a cake walk for Matt LaFleur and the Packers.
Last week, the Packers were tasked with putting an end to their 26-year drought of regular season wins versus the Steelers. This Sunday, they have the chance to snag a W in Cincinnati for the first time since 1998. They'll get a Bengals team with four days of extra preparation, having survived a thriller against Jacksonville at home last Thursday.
Working in Cincinnati's favor will be the overall health of the Green Bay roster. Already missing their top pass rusher in Za'Darius Smith, starting left tackle David Bakhtiari and No. 2 receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling, they'll now be without top cornerback Jaire Alexander and possibly both Elgton Jenkins and Kevin King for another week.
On Offense
Aaron Rodgers and the offense head into Cincy in midseason form, having trounced two of the league's better defenses in back-to-back weeks with a project lineman starting at left tackle. I expect more of the same against the Bengals, with Robert Tonyan playing a greater role in the offense should Cincinnati D-coordinator Lou Anarumo key in on Aaron Jones and Davante Adams, the way many other teams have tried to.
Even on the road, all signs point to plenty of scoring by the Green Bay offense. While the Packers are still missing key pieces up front, the Bengals just aren't overly talented on defense. They've held mostly mediocre offenses in check through four weeks, allowing an average of 19 points per game. Still, facing several solid running backs in those games, their run D been stout, allowing only 3.7 yards per carry.
On Defense
Like the Packers, Cincinnati offense leans on elite talent atop the depth chart - starting with running back Joe Mixon and receiver Tee Higgins. The Packers' defense could catch a break, however, if Mixon isn't able suit up on Sunday, which would result in Samaje Perine inheriting the bulk of the workload. They'll dodge another bullet with Higgins out, allowing the focus to shift to Tyler Boyd and rookie Ja'Marr Chase.
Chase has reunited his connection with fellow LSU Tiger Joe Burrow by way of the deep ball - an area where the Packers have been stingy through four weeks. But, even if King returns to the lineup, one has to be nervous about the cornerback situation against this talented Bengals receiving corps. Though rookie Eric Stokes has shown flashes of potential, his inexperience coupled with pure talent gaps in Chandon Sullivan and Isaac Yiadom represents a real liability versus the pass.
As such, it will be crucial for D-coordinator Joe Barry to take advantage of an awful Cincinnati O-line by regularly creating pressure up front. In only his second season, Burrow has been prone to mistakes, almost single-handedly losing the Bengals' Week 2 game in Chicago by throwing three picks. Look for Barry to go more aggressive than he's used to, sending an extra linebacker or DB to force bad throws from Burrow.
PackerDay Prediction: Packers 34, Bengals 28
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