Three Reasons Why Packers Will Be Shocked by Bengals

“Both those guys are extremely dangerous. Tee is as good as anybody in 50-50 balls, it’s not even a 50-50 ball when he’s out there.”

Flacco was terrible against Green Bay – and this season, in general, with the worst passer rating and yards per attempt in the NFL. Going from Jerry Jeudy and Cedric Tillman to Chase and Higgins is like going from a sedan and a minivan to a convertible and a dragster.

“In my opinion, if you get two guys like Ja’Marr and Tee, you get those two guys, if I’m the quarterback, I’m just throwing it. I don’t give a damn,” safety Xavier McKinney said.

“I believe they’re going to catch the ball. That’s just how I’d think of it. In that aspect, this is different. Obviously, Joe Flacco is a really good quarterback who’s played a really long time. He’s got a lot of respect just around this league. Having that and then combining it with guys that are top of the league right now, I’m sure it’ll change up some things for them.”

2. Trey Hendrickson and Takeaways

In one corner, it’ll be Bengals All-Pro defensive end Trey Hendrickson, who is one of the best pass rushers of the era. In the other corner, it’ll be Packers left tackle Rasheed Walker, who is questionable on the injury report, or Jordan Morgan, who hasn’t played left tackle in an NFL regular-season game.

What could go wrong?

“He’s been a very consistent player for a lot of years now,” coach Matt LaFleur said of Hendrickson, “and he’s another one of those guys that can wreck the game if you give him the opportunity. So, we got to make sure we do a great job in regards to, obviously, knowing where he’s aligning and then helping out when possible.”

Hendrickson, who lines up almost exclusively against the offensive left tackle, is a total-package pass rusher.

“He’s a guy that can run right through your face and put you on the ground or he can run right around you,” LaFleur said.

He is coming off back-to-back seasons of 17.5 sacks. With four sacks to start this season, he’s got a chance to join Reggie White as the only players in NFL history with three consecutive 17-sack seasons. Since the start of the 2023 season, he has a league-high 39 sacks – 5.5 more than anyone else.

Talk about dominance.

“He’s a great player, man,” said left guard Aaron Banks, who also is questionable. “He’s got power, he’s got speed, I think he’s very savvy, he’s played a lot of ball, and he brings a challenge. I’ve played against him before (and) I’ve seen what type of player he is firsthand, so we’re excited for the challenge. We’re excited for every challenge.”

Cleveland’s Myles Garrett had an outsized impact in the Browns’ upset win in Week 3, not because he dominated Green Bay’s front but because of the Packers’ focus on preventing him from dominating the game. Walker or Morgan won’t be asked to handle Hendrickson by himself. There will be plenty of help, which means the rest of Green Bay’s line will have to step up.

The Packers faced the Browns with Zach Tom getting one snap at right tackle and Banks playing one half at left guard. They appear poised to return to action this week, which would help.

Hendrickson had two sacks and a forced fumble in last week’s loss at Detroit. That gave the Bengals five takeaways this season – sixth-most in the league. They forced two in each of their two wins; the Hendrickson strip was the only one during their three-game skid.

“I want to win as a captain and lead these guys where we’re supposed to go, so we’ve got a lot to fix,” he said after the game. “There are some things that are good on tape – pat yourself on the back for a second and then let’s look at the plays we need to fix. (Those that have) played in this league know you’ve got to forget the good things quick and forget the bad things faster.”

3. Special Teams and Injuries

Kicker Brandon McManus is dealing with an injured right quad, and while he is expected to play, it will be something to keep in mind throughout the game.

The Packers’ issues run deeper than the health of their kicker, though. The Bengals have one of the best special-teams units in the NFL; the Packers have one of the worst.

It only takes one blunder to lose a game – or tie a game – as the Packers know too well. They probably would have beaten the Browns if not for McManus’ field goal in the final half-minute being blocked. They might have beaten the Cowboys if not for McManus’ extra point being blocked and returned for two points and Dallas’ long kickoff return setting up the go-ahead touchdown late in the fourth quarter.

Green Bay’s rookie returners – Matthew Golden on punts and Savion Williams on kickoffs – are learning on the fly. Not only have they not produced, but they’ve seemed like a disaster waiting to happen at times.

“We’re excited about the direction they’re going in the return game,” special teams coordinator Rich Bisaccia said. “It’s going to always be a little bit of a work in progress if you’ve never done it.”

His coverage units – a relative strength so far – will be tested by Bengals receiver Charlie Jones, who had a 100-yard kickoff-return touchdown last season and boasts a 13.0-yard average on punt returns this season.

“I’ve always told you guys, special teams is one play,” Bisaccia said. “We don’t get those 72 or 68 plays, and if you have one big gaffe or two that affect the game, and it just gets magnified.”