Packers Overcome Bengals 27-18: Key Takeaways From Green Bay’s Victory

The Green Bay Packers used ball control and a suffocating ground game to wear down Cincinnati’s defense in a 27-18 victory at Lambeau Field. While the Bengals showed resilience with Joe Flacco making his debut under center, critical injuries and Green Bay’s time of possession advantage proved decisive.

Flacco’s Solid Debut Overshadowed by Injuries

Joe Flacco stepped into his first game as Cincinnati’s starting quarterback and delivered a respectable performance, completing 29-of-45 passes for 219 yards and two touchdowns. His most impressive moment came on a season-long 17-play, 78-yard touchdown drive to open the second half, capped by a fourth-down strike to tight end Tanner Hudson.

The veteran quarterback found his rhythm late, orchestrating another scoring drive in the fourth quarter that culminated with a 19-yard touchdown pass to Ja’Marr Chase on fourth down. Flacco then connected with Chase Brown for the two-point conversion, cutting Green Bay’s lead to six points.

However, the Bengals’ hopes took significant hits with injuries to key players. All-Pro edge rusher Trey Hendrickson left late in the first half with a back injury, while tight end Mike Gesicki exited early with a pectoral injury. These losses forced Cincinnati to rely on backup players like Hudson, who made his first catches of the season in crucial moments.

Packers Control Time of Possession

Green Bay’s strategy was simple but effective: control the clock and methodically move the ball. The Packers more than doubled Cincinnati’s time of possession in the first half, a crushing advantage that wore down the Bengals defense as the game progressed.

This ball-control approach allowed Green Bay to dictate the tempo and keep Cincinnati’s offense off the field during critical stretches. The strategy paid dividends as the game wore on, with the Bengals defense showing signs of fatigue in key moments.

Bengals Defense Shows Fight Despite Setbacks

Despite the injuries and time of possession disadvantage, Cincinnati’s defense made several key plays. Safety Geno Stone intercepted a deflected pass on Green Bay’s opening drive, returning it 25 yards to give the Bengals early momentum.

Cornerback DJ Turner II had a standout performance with five pass breakups, becoming the first Bengals player since 2009 to record five passes defensed in a single game. Turner now leads the team with 11 pass breakups this season, already a career high.

The defensive unit’s effort kept Cincinnati within striking distance throughout the contest, even as they faced extended time on the field due to Green Bay’s possession advantage.

McPherson’s Near-Record Attempt

Kicker Evan McPherson nearly made NFL history in the first half, attempting a 67-yard field goal that would have broken Justin Tucker’s record. The kick hit the crossbar after Packers coach Matt LaFleur called timeout to ice the kicker on what would have been a successful attempt.

McPherson’s second try sailed into the end zone, but he bounced back with a crucial 45-yard field goal in the fourth quarter. The make was his 100th career field goal, making him the fifth-fastest kicker in franchise history to reach that milestone.

Chase Reaches Milestone in Defeat

Despite the loss, Ja’Marr Chase provided a bright spot with his 50th career receiving touchdown. The fourth-down score in the fourth quarter made Chase the seventh-fastest player in NFL history to reach 50 receiving touchdowns, accomplishing the feat in just 68 games.

Chase finished with 10 receptions for 94 yards and the touchdown, continuing his exceptional pace as one of the league’s premier receivers. His connection with Flacco showed promise for Cincinnati’s passing attack moving forward.

The Bengals showed heart in their comeback attempt but ultimately couldn’t overcome Green Bay’s early control and the impact of key injuries. Cincinnati will need to regroup quickly as they continue their season without some crucial piece.