We hope you had a restful bye week, because your Green Bay Packers are right back at it this afternoon, taking on the Cincinnati Bengals at Lambeau Field at 3:25 PM CST. No one would blame the Packers for playing angry in this one, as two weeks ago, they had to head into the bye after a 40-40 tie against the Dallas Cowboys that took their season record to 2-1-1. That's a long time to stew over a game that essentially resulted in nothing, neither a win nor a loss, just a stale mindset where they can only think that they need to be better. The Bengals sit at 2-3 after their defeat at the hands of the Detroit Lions, 37-24, last week, and made a trade for Joe Flacco in an attempt to improve their QB situation in the absence of Joe Burrow. The Packers will once again be trying to prove they're legit, while the Bengals will just be trying to keep their heads above water. The last time these two teams met was almost exactly four years ago, on October 10, 2021, when the Packers defeated the Bengals in overtime, 25-22, off a 49-yard Mason Crosby field goal. In fact, four years before that, the Packers defeated the Bengals in OT off a Mason Crosby field goal as well. So, the last two times these teams met, they headed to overtime. If we're being honest, I don't think Packers fans could handle overtime today, given the result of the game two weeks ago. If they do, hopefully it actually ends in the Packers coming away victorious. In the 2021 meeting, Davante Adams absolutely torched the Bengals defense for 206 yards off 11 catches and a touchdown, while the Bengals' Ja'Marr Chase torched the Packers defense for six catches, 159 yards, and a touchdown. Chase is coming off a 110-yard performance with two touchdowns last week; hopefully, history doesn't repeat itself.  The Packers are coming off a much-needed early bye week. I honestly didn't think I would ever say a week 5 bye was needed, but here we are. With injuries on both sides of the ball, especially the offensive line, the Packers needed an off week to get healthier. In the first three games of the season, it seemed like the defense would be a huge strength for the Packers, and perhaps the offense would need to catch up, but after a 40-40 tie where it seemed like it was now the defense's turn to catch up, there's nothing better than a week off to do some evaluating. Tackling and over-pursuit were issues against the Cowboys for the defense, while the offense in the first four games has struggled to get Josh Jacobs off and running. Hopefully, that self-evaluation can patch up those issues. In a bit of a must-win for the Packers today, they need to put together a complete game on offense, defense, and special teams to regain that early-season momentum.  What to see on Offense Throughout the offseason, one couldn't escape the wishes or rumors of the Packers pursuing a trade for Bengals' pass rusher Trey Hendrickson. The team spending high draft capital on a 30-year-old player seemed extremely unlikely, and it wouldn't even become a possibility as Hendrickson re-signed with the Bengals. So far this season, he's paid the Bengals back for keeping him to the tune of four sacks in five games. Lining up mainly on the right side of the defensive line, Hendrickson will likely match up against Rasheed Walker, who has had his ups and downs this season. Outside of Hendrickson, DE, Joseph Ossai has two sacks with Kris Jenkins Dr. and Myles Murphy holding 1.5 each. The offensive line for the Packers is a bit healthier now, with Zach Tom and Aaron Banks returning to practice this week, and they will be looking to protect Jordan Love much better than they did two weeks ago. Bengals' first-round pick Shemar Stewart is doubtful for today's game. Despite the less-than-impressive protection last game for Jordan Love, the passing game for the Packers hit its stride with Jordan Love going 31/43 for 337 yards and three touchdowns. That could be a big difference maker today with the Bengals' ranking 29th in the league with 259 passing yards allowed per game.  The Bengals do rank 6th in the league, holding five interceptions so far in 2025, with safety Jordan Battle leading the way with two, but outside of INT's the Cincinnati secondary has not been a strong suit. If the Packers' offensive line can keep Jordan Love comfortable, there could be a lot of success through the air.  The Packers' rushing attack continues to be a question after four games. However, Josh Jacobs and Emanuel Wilson really found their stride in the second half against Dallas and became a factor late. The Bengals currently sit towards the bottom of the league, allowing an average of 132.2 rushing yards per game. With a healthier offensive line to help open up running lanes, today could be a big opportunity for the Packers' offense to get right in the running game.  What to See on Defense Earlier this week, the Bengals traded to Cleveland for QB Joe Flacco. They quickly announced that Flacco would start on Sunday against the Packers. Now, superstitious Packers fans are shaking in their boots over the fact that Joe Flacco was the QB of the Browns when the Browns defeated the Packers 10-13, three weeks ago. Let's get one thing straight. The Browns' defense gave the Packers' offense fits, and they struggled to get anything going. Joe Flacco went 21/36 for 142 yards and an interception. The Packers' defense had Joe Flacco in hell; he was not the difference maker in that game. And now guess what, he's behind one of the worst offensive lines in the league that barely could keep Joe Burrow and Jake Browning upright.  Pass rush will be a key in today's game to make Joe Flacco uncomfortable with his new team. Micah Parsons and friends struggled a bit against Dallas in roping in Dak Prescott; they need to make today a momentum shifter and cannot afford to let Joe Flacco perform the impossible in pulling off a victory, starting just five days after acquisition.  Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins possibly make one of the best receiver duos in football, so Flacco will have some good targets if Chase plays today after being questionable due to illness. The Packers' secondary did not have a good game against Dallas, and despite Flacco only having a few days with his targets, he's sure to try them out today against cornerbacks like Carrington Valentine and Nate Hobbs, who have struggled as of late. On top of Chase and Higgins, the Bengals also have Noah Fant and Mike Gesicki, who haven't been largely impressive so far this season, but for a QB like Flacco that may need to get the ball out quickly, they could become a factor in today's game.  The Bengals haven't had a lot of success running the ball this season. If you think the Packers have struggled a bit in that area, the first four games of the season, the Packers have 458 yards rushing total; the Bengals only have 285 through five games. They're led by Chase Brown, who has 160 yards off 65 carries and one touchdown, followed by Samaje Perine with 52 yards off nine carries.  The Packers struggled against the run in Dallas following the departure of Devonte Wyatt from the game, and unfortunately, Wyatt has not practiced this week, so he will not play today. We could see a heavy dose of Nazir Stackhouse or Warren Brinson at DT in running situations. Today could either be an opportunity for the Bengals to show they can run the ball after all, or it could be a day for the Packers' defense to prove they're not a one-man show against the run in the absence of Wyatt. Edgerrin Cooper possibly had his worst game in Green and Gold in Dallas that night; perhaps look for him to step up today to show he won't fall victim to that again.  Extra Notes After two blocked field goals this season and a rash of other mistakes, the last thing we need is special teams to play a negative part in today's results. Now, kicker Brandon McManus is questionable with a quad injury, leaving the kicker position a bit of a question mark today. The Packers have signed kicker Lucas Havrisik to the 53-man roster, just in case McManus is unable to go today. Havrisik has had stints with the Colts, Browns, Rams, and Bills in the three seasons, appearing in nine games where he went 15 for 20 with field goals and 19 of 22 for extra points. Havrisik also played 10 games for the Dallas Renegades in the UFL this past season. If McManus is unable to go, the Packers won't be just winging it at kicker, but I would imagine Matt LaFleur will be a little cautious with trusting the newly acquired kicker.  Whether the field goal debacles against Dallas were due to missed assignments from Brant Banks or Luke Musgrave, we'll likely never know for sure. However, Brant Banks' quick release from the team following the game doesn't bode well for his case. We finally have a reliable kicker in Brandon McManus; we need to have a clean field goal operation soon to restore confidence in lining up for a field goal attempt or extra point. Cincinnati will be looking to exploit it without a doubt, and we can't let this continue to be a problem.  The Bengals' kicker, on the other hand, Evan McPherson, has become one of the best kickers in the league, and so far this season, he has yet to miss a kick.  The Packers' return game is also lacking. Savion Williams hasn't looked the best on kickoffs, and Matthew Golden maybe should be focused more on offense than fielding punts. But with the Packers lacking a return specialist at the moment, those two rookies are just going to have to improve. Today could be a big stepping stone in the right direction.  On the other side of the field, Charlie Jones and Samaje Perine have done a good job fielding kicks and punts for the Bengals. They both have long returns of 35+ yards, and Jones, on punts, averages 13 yards per return. They shouldn't pose a big problem, but with the issues the Packers have had on special teams, you never know.  Daniel Whelan is averaging 51.8 yards with 14 punts, while Bengals punter Ryan Rehkow is averaging 53.1 yards on 27 punts with six touchbacks. Rehkow leads the league with that average, but his net-average is only in the middle of the league with 42.6.   In the End Today, the Packers are being presented with the most "get right" game of all get right games. They're at home coming off a bye against a struggling team, starting a QB that they desperately acquired five days ago. I don't mean to be the Grim Reaper, but if the Packers can't come away with a victory today, we have bigger problems than struggling special teams.  Next week, the Packers head to Arizona to take on the Cardinals to kick off back-to-back road games. Hopefully, Green Bay can take advantage of a struggling Bengals team today to give us Packers fans a nice, relaxing Sunday afternoon, enjoying a victory. Go Pack Go.    Filed Under: FeaturedGreen Bay PackersGreg MeinholzPreview and PredictionGameDay PLEASE SUBSCRIBE TO OUR CHEESEHEAD NATION WEEKLY NEWSLETTER HERE. __________________________ Greg Meinholz is a lifelong devoted Packer fan. A contributor to CheeseheadTV as well as PackersTalk. Follow him on Twitter @gmeinholz and Bluesky @gmeinholz.bsky.social for Packers commentary, random humor, beer endorsements, and occasional Star Wars and Marvel ramblings. __________________________ NFL Categories: Cincinnati BengalsGreen Bay PackersNFC NorthTags: Green Bay PackersJordan LoveTrey HendricksonMicah ParsonsJoe Flacco Like 0 points