The Cincinnati Bengals travel to Lambeau Field to face the Green Bay Packers for the 13th match-up of these decorated franchises. There have been several defining moments in these meetings with the majority swinging the Bengals way. If history is any indication, the game will be closer than many think as the last four meetings between these teams have been decided by one score or less.
History Behind the Game: Cincinnati Bengals at Green Bay Packers
In recent years, head coach Marvin Lewis has had the Packers number. He’s 3-0 against Mike McCarthy and is the reason why the Bengals remain the sole team Aaron Rodgers has yet to beat. The Bengals enter the contest 0-2 with an offense that has failed to score a touchdown through two games. The Packers come in off a disappointing loss to the Atlanta Falcons in which several high-profile players went down with injury.
Most Significant Moment
This one is easy. September 20, 1992, Packers starting quarterback Don “Majik Man” Majkowski exits the game in the first quarter against the Bengals. Recently acquired backup Brett Favre enters the game and creates the first of many prolific moments in his career. Against a 2-0 Bengals team led by quarterback Boomer Esiason, Favre led the Packers to a 21-point fourth quarter comeback and secured the first victory of his young career. He threw his first touchdown pass to Sterling Sharpe, a sign of things to come. Favre cemented his starting job by finishing the game with a strike to Kitrick Taylor for the go-ahead score with 13 seconds remaining on the clock. Hopefully the Packers won’t face such a dramatic turn of events as faced in this game, but a week three victory over the Bengals at Lambeau Field could be a similar outcome.
Last Meeting
These teams last faced each other in Cincinnati in week three of the 2013 season. In 2009, Rodgers nearly rallied the Packers from a 10-point deficit in the fourth quarter but came up short. In 2013 it was the Bengals that completed the comeback. Down 16 points in the third quarter, Andy Dalton threw two touchdowns in the second half. The Packers had a chance to ice the game on fourth and one with under two minutes remaining. Running back Johnathan Franklin fumbled the ball on the ensuing play and the Bengals recovered the ball for a touchdown. The offense was unable to match the score with just over a minute remaining and Rodgers moved to 0-2 against Marvin Lewis’s squad.
Importance of This Week
Again meeting in week three, both the Packers and Bengals face a pivotal moment in this young season. Rookie John Ross and tight end Tyler Eifert out for the Bengals while the Packers offensive line and receiving corps are banged up. Not to mention, the Packers defensive leader Mike Daniels is listed as doubtful.
The Bengals are looking for their first win of the season, while Green Bay hopes to regain momentum after falling to the Falcons. The Packers have a quick turnaround, facing the Chicago Bears on the following Thursday. Favre was able to beat the Bengals in his first game in Green Bay. Rodgers will hope the third time’s the charm in week three.
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