Returning from their bye week with only one loss this season, the Packers received an unexpected surprise from their guests arriving in Green Bay on Sunday.
Looking to unwind a string of three consecutive losses, the Cincinnati Bengals acquired quarterback Joe Flacco from the Cleveland Browns and plugged him into the starting lineup. The Packers (2-1-1) faced Flacco three weeks ago when he steered the Browns to a 13-10 victory.
“We played him a lot, watched him a lot, he brings great experience,” Bengals coach Zac Taylor said Wednesday, welcoming Flacco directly to the QB1 role. “His style fits our style of play. Excited to get him out there. We’ll start him this week.”
Green Bay’s defense hit the bye at the right time, dog tired after a track meet with the Dallas Cowboys in Week 4. Anchored by All-Pro edge rusher Micah Parsons, the Packers dominated in opening victories over the Lions and Commanders, holding them without a touchdown until the fourth quarter in back-to-back wins to start the season. The Packers appeared to be on the way to a win at Cleveland.
The Browns were scoreless until the final four minutes and Green Bay still wound up losing on a 55-yard walk-off field goal.
In the 40-40 overtime tie against the Cowboys, the Packers allowed 436 yards, including 319 passing yards and three touchdowns to Dallas quarterback Dak Prescott.
After struggling on offense against the Browns, the Packers piled up 489 yards against Dallas, but had to salvage the tie on a 34-yard field goal on the final play of overtime.
The Packers are second in the league against the run, allowing just 77.5 yards per game, and fourth in total defense at 283.3 yards.
“I don’t think we’ve put together a complete game playing four quarters of complimentary football, which is a blessing and a curse at the same time,” Packers coach Matt LaFleur said Wednesday.
Jordan Love has 1,000 passing yards, completing 69.4 of his passes with eight touchdowns and one interception. Tight end Tucker Kraft has been the top target with 16 catches and two scores. Romeo Doubs has four touchdowns among his 13 receptions.
But the revolving door on the offensive line has contributed to gains being erased by growing pains.
The Packers could be bolstered by the possible return of wide receiver Christian Watson, who practiced Monday. Watson underwent surgery in January after tearing his right ACL in the regular-season finale.
But the front five remains in flux. Backup offensive tackle Anthony Belton (ankle) and defensive tackle Devonte Wyatt (knee) were listed as non-participants Wednesday. Listed as limited participation were left guard Aaron Banks (groin), defensive end Kingsley Enagbare (ankle), cornerback Nate Hobbs (concussion), kicker Brandon McManus (quadricep), offensive lineman Jacob Monk (hamstring), right tackle Zach Tom (oblique), left tackle Rasheed Walker (quadriceps) and wide receiver Savion Williams (groin).
Until the Packers prove they can pave a path for Josh Jacobs despite unfamiliar blockers, Green Bay might be challenged to balance the offensive attack. Jacobs is the team’s leading rusher with 266 yards and four scores, but he’s averaging 3.3 yards per carry.
The Bengals started the season 2-0, but haven’t posted a victory since Joe Burrow limped to the injured list because of a Week 2 turf toe injury. Jake Browning was given ample time to pull out of a tailspin — eight interceptions, including three in a 37-24 loss to Detroit last week — before the Bengals opted to acquire Flacco. Flacco, 40, was leading the NFL in turnovers when he was benched in favor of rookie Dillon Gabriel before the Week 5 loss to the Vikings in London.
Flacco was the Comeback Player of the Year in 2023 with the Browns. He spent last season with Indianapolis, playing in eight games, including six starts, completing 65.3 percent of his passes with 12 touchdowns.
Flacco started the first four games with Cleveland this season, going 1-3 before being benched in favor of Gabriel. Flacco completed 58.1 percent of his passes with two touchdowns and six interceptions and was sacked nine times.
“The No. 1 trait that you’re looking for is a guy that can operate your system and throw the football,” Taylor said. “Joe’s always been a tremendous passer in this league.”
“Yesterday, felt like I said there are 24 hours in a day. I felt like there were 36 hours in yesterday,” Taylor said Wednesday of the whirlwind upramp of Flacco. “We just tried to cover all the base pieces of information. You like to knock out personnel and formations and motions and the easy stuff, and then when you get in here, get the nuts and bolts.”
Cincinnati is last in the NFL in total offense (228.6 yards per game) and rushing with a paltry 57-yard average per game. A woeful offense has made for a tired defense. The Bengals are 30th in total defense (391.2 yards per game) and 30th in scoring defense (31.2 points per game).
Defensive end Shemar Stewart (ankle) was listed as limited participation on Wednesday’s injury report, along with guard Lucas Patrick (calf) and receivers Charlie Jones (Achilles) and Ja’Marr Chase (rest). Guard Dylan Fairchild (knee) and tight end Drew Sample (ankle) did not practice.
Green Bay has won the last two regular-season matchups against the Bengals in 2017 and 2021, both in overtime.
