The Green Bay Packers are returning home for the first time since early September, and they’ll take on the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday.
The Packers have not won a game since that 28-19 victory over the Washington Commanders, having lost and tied their first two road games of the season.
The Bengals season is in flux right now, as quarterback Joe Burrow has been lost for the season with a foot injury.
Jake Browning has struggled in his absence, and a game that was supposed to be a potential Super Bowl preview now looks like there is only one team left that could be a contender.
That’s Green Bay, but they need to get back to their winning ways.
More on that in this week’s six pack.
1. Wild Ones
These two teams have met three times since 2013, and all of those games have been wild for one reason or another.
The first game of note was in 2013, which came in Cincinnati. The Packers stormed out to a 30-14 lead but would subsequently blow that lead against Andy Dalton and the Bengals, highlighted by a key fumble from rookie running back Jonathan Franklin.
Four years ago, the two teams met again in Cincinnati. The Packers won in overtime, as the two teams traded missed kicks in OT. Mason Crosby ultimately won that game with a walk-off field goal.
The last meeting at Lambeau Field saw the Packers fall behind before Aaron Rodgers led a big comeback on what was at the time the hottest game day in the history of Lambeau Field. The comeback was capped off with a touchdown pass to Jordy Nelson in the corner of the end zone and won in overtime by a Crosby field goal.
Safe to say, when these two teams get together, expect fireworks.
2. Out of the Bye
One of the pressure points for Matt LaFleur early in his career was that his team really struggled coming off extended rest periods.
That appears to have changed. The Packers have won four of their last five games out of the bye.
This game against the Bengals is a potential bounce back, where the Packers will be hoping that trend continues.
3. Health?
LaFleur was pretty succinct when he was asked what his team needed to focus the most on coming out of the bye week.
“It’s called health,” LaFleur said.
It’s true, the Packers were pretty beat up going into Dallas, missing three offensive linemen. They lost Devonte Wyatt during the game as well.
It’s unclear if the Packers will get any of those guys back, but they did waive Brant Banks, whom they promoted from the practice squad in the wake of those injuries.
They lost him to the Titans on waivers and have yet to replace him on the practice squad.
That suggests they should feel good about getting Aaron Banks, Anthony Belton or Zach Tom back on Sunday.
4. Special Teams Nightmares
Green Bay’s special teams is in shambles.
To be fair to them, special teams around the league have been pretty rough to start the year. Perhaps there will be a discussion some day as to why.
Green Bay, however, should not worry about the rest of the league; they should worry about themselves.
Matthew Golden has looked uncomfortable as a punt returner. Ditto for Savion Williams returning kicks.
Kick coverage has been a mess between committing penalties and allowing explosive returns.
To top it all off, they’ve had kicks blocked in back-to-back games.
The last time these two teams met, it was an adventure on special teams as well. Is that an omen? That remains to be seen.
5. Grudge Match
These two teams have only met 14 times in their history, but those 14 games are at a deadlock.
Green Bay’s win in Cincinnati four years ago evened the series at seven wins apiece.
The Packers have a chance to add an eighth win at Lambeau Field against a backup quarterback.
6. Cavalry’s Coming
LaFleur talked about health going into the bye week, but that was with players currently on the active roster.
With four weeks in the books, the Packers can now look at bringing some players back from injured reserve.
The most likely candidate at this point is wide receiver Christian Watson.
Other candidates include Marshawn Lloyd, Jacob Monk and Collin Oliver.
When any of those players will play is unknown, but that window is open; any one of them can give the team a boost.
