The Green Bay Packers welcomed the Cincinnati Bengals to Lambeau Field in what was the hottest game ever played in Green Bay. Aaron Rodgers came into today having beaten every other team in the NFL other than the Cincinnati Bengals.
The struggling Andy Dalton opened the game by finding A.J. Green in the end zone for a ten-yard touchdown. Surprisingly, the touchdown was the first of the season for the Bengals. The Packers answered by going on a 60-yard drive capped off with a Rodgers to Lance Kendricks touchdown pass. Early in the second quarter, Dalton found Giovani Bernard for a six-yard touchdown pass to take a seven-point lead. On the next Packers’ drive, Aaron Rodgers threw a quick out that was intercepted by William Jackson III and returned for a touchdown, the first for Rodgers since 2009.
After halftime, the Packers got the ball back and immediately marched down the field capped off by a Jordy Nelson touchdown pass to make it a 21-14 contest. After a few defensive stops, the Packers finally got back on the board with a 28-yard Mason Crosby field goal to cut the Bengals lead to 21-17. Later on in the quarter the Bengals would add a field goal themselves to take the lead back to seven points. On the next drive, the Packers drove the ball down the field to tie the game up highlighted by a clutch three-yard touchdown pass the Jordy Nelson to tie the game up and force overtime.
The Packers have not had luck in overtime over the past few years. Aaron Rodgers was 0-7 in overtime games since taking over as the teams starting quarterback in 2008. The Bengals won the toss, but went three and out on its opening possession. The third play of the Packers possession in overtime turned out to be the game changer. Rodgers found Geronimo Allison for a 72-yard catch and run that set up the game winning field goal.
Here are the biggest Packers takeaways from week three.
Week Three Green Bay Packers Takeaways
Geronimo Allison Proves His Worth
Geronimo Allison caught a career high 122 yards on six receptions. Rodgers made it known that he trusted Allison by targeting him late in the game in the clutch moments. Allison had been suspended in Week One and did not make much of a difference in the game last week against the Falcons. But he has fantastic length as well as playmaking ability and as such he should be more of a feature in the Packers’ offense in the future.
Despite Dismal Overtime Record, Rodgers Is Clutch
Aaron Rodgers entered today with just three game-winning drives in his NFL career. Many analysts and fans looked at this and assumed that he doesn’t have the “clutch gene.” In reality, Rodgers has rarely been able to even touch the ball in many of the Packers overtime games. The Packers defense has failed in late game situations time and time again.
Josh Jones Shines In First Extended Game Time
Rookie safety Josh Jones had an excellent training camp and preseason after being the Packers second round pick in the 2017 NFL Draft. Jones made his presence felt early and often after sacking Dalton twice. He also played well in coverage and helped out nicely in run support. Jones brought a attitude on defense that the Packers sorely needed. He will only improve throughout the season and could be the successor to Morgan Burnett next year.
