As much as I would like to think the Cincinnati Bengals would come to Green Bay next week and lay down, I just can’t see it happening. This is a dangerous game for the Packers. The Bengals are steaming mad after getting robbed at home last week by a fluke 87-yard touchdown pass with 20 seconds left in a loss to Denver and Kyle Orton no less. The Packers scored a huge divisional win over the Bears but needed every ounce of energy to do so, they could be in for a letdown.
I watched much of the Bengals game against the Broncos and saw the game-winner live, it was a stunner. I was hoping like hell the Bengals would hang on, thinking I don’t want them pissed off coming to Lambeau next week. So much for that. The Bengals obviously didn’t set the world on fire by only scoring one touchdown, but I was fairly impressed with their defense. They completely shut down the Broncos for 59 and-a-half minutes and even the game winner was a fluke. I hope the Packers don’t think their offensive woes from week one will be automatically fixed because they are playing Cincinnati. The Bengals defense was the 12th ranked unit in the NFL last year. Not too shabby for a 4-12 team.
Carson Palmer looked very rusty but Chad Ochocinco looks rejuvenated and as he said today, is ready to take a Lambeau Leap against the Packers Sunday. Still, the Bengals could only put up a TD against the Broncos so I can’t really see them scoring much against the Packers highly spirited defense. Of course one thing is sure and that is the fact Palmer is not going to chuck it around like Jay Cutler did Sunday, the Packers will have to actually work for any interceptions they get against him.
Both teams will be looking to improve upon poor opening week offensive performances but could find the going tough once again this week. I think the Packers might indeed struggle a little again on offense but I’m thinking the pressure the Packers will bring on defense will stymie the Bengals. Palmer won’t throw the pick but can’t escape the sack either. This could be another low scoring affair at Lambeau, which is fine as long as the Packers come out on top. With the horrible St. Louis Rams on deck the Packers shouldn’t be looking ahead so I’m expecting a better performance all-around this week. My gut feeling is Packers 24, Bengals 10.
More to come…
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