Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Flacco (16) throws a move throughout follow, Wednesday, Oct. 8, 2025, on the Kettering Well being Bengals Follow Fields in downtown Cincinnati. Getting back from their bye week with just one loss this season, the Packers obtained an surprising shock from their visitors arriving in Inexperienced Bay on Sunday.
Trying to unwind a string of three consecutive losses, the Cincinnati Bengals acquired quarterback Joe Flacco from the Cleveland Browns and plugged him into the beginning lineup. The Packers (2-1-1) confronted Flacco three weeks in the past when he steered the Browns to a 13-10 victory.
“We performed him rather a lot, watched him rather a lot, he brings nice expertise,” Bengals coach Zac Taylor stated Wednesday, welcoming Flacco on to the QB1 function. “His type matches our type of play. Excited to get him on the market. We’ll begin him this week.”
Inexperienced Bay’s protection hit the bye on the proper time, canine drained after a observe meet with the Dallas Cowboys in Week 4. Anchored by All-Professional edge rusher Micah Parsons, the Packers dominated in opening victories over the Lions and Commanders, holding them with no landing till the fourth quarter in back-to-back wins to begin the season. The Packers seemed to be on the way in which to a win at Cleveland.
The Browns have been scoreless till the ultimate 4 minutes and Inexperienced Bay nonetheless wound up shedding on a 55-yard walk-off area aim.
Within the 40-40 additional time tie in opposition to the Cowboys, the Packers allowed 436 yards, together with 319 passing yards and three touchdowns to Dallas quarterback Dak Prescott.
After struggling on offense in opposition to the Browns, the Packers piled up 489 yards in opposition to Dallas, however needed to salvage the tie on a 34-yard area aim on the ultimate play of additional time.
The Packers are second within the league in opposition to the run, permitting simply 77.5 yards per sport, and fourth in whole protection at 283.3 yards.
“I do not suppose we have put collectively an entire sport enjoying 4 quarters of complimentary soccer, which is a blessing and a curse on the similar time,” Packers coach Matt LaFleur stated Wednesday.
Jordan Love has 1,000 passing yards, finishing 69.4 of his passes with eight touchdowns and one interception. Tight finish Tucker Kraft has been the highest goal with 16 catches and two scores. Romeo Doubs has 4 touchdowns amongst his 13 receptions.
However the revolving door on the offensive line has contributed to beneficial properties being erased by rising pains.
The Packers may very well be bolstered by the doable return of vast receiver Christian Watson, who practiced Monday. Watson underwent surgical procedure in January after tearing his proper ACL within the regular-season finale.
However the entrance 5 stays in flux. Backup offensive deal with Anthony Belton (ankle) and defensive deal with Devonte Wyatt (knee) have been listed as non-participants Wednesday. Listed as restricted participation have been left guard Aaron Banks (groin), defensive finish Kingsley Enagbare (ankle), cornerback Nate Hobbs (concussion), kicker Brandon McManus (quadricep), offensive lineman Jacob Monk (hamstring), proper deal with Zach Tom (indirect), left deal with Rasheed Walker (quadriceps) and vast receiver Savion Williams (groin).
Till the Packers show they will pave a path for Josh Jacobs regardless of unfamiliar blockers, Inexperienced Bay could be challenged to steadiness the offensive assault. Jacobs is the workforce’s main rusher with 266 yards and 4 scores, however he is averaging 3.3 yards per carry.
The Bengals began the season 2-0, however have not posted a victory since Joe Burrow limped to the injured record due to a Week 2 turf toe damage. Jake Browning was given ample time to drag out of a tailspin — eight interceptions, together with three in a 37-24 loss to Detroit final week — earlier than the Bengals opted to amass Flacco. Flacco, 40, was main the NFL in turnovers when he was benched in favor of rookie Dillon Gabriel earlier than the Week 5 loss to the Vikings in London.
Flacco was the Comeback Participant of the 12 months in 2023 with the Browns. He spent final season with Indianapolis, enjoying in eight video games, together with six begins, finishing 65.3 % of his passes with 12 touchdowns.
Flacco began the primary 4 video games with Cleveland this season, going 1-3 earlier than being benched in favor of Gabriel. Flacco accomplished 58.1 % of his passes with two touchdowns and 6 interceptions and was sacked 9 occasions.
“The No. 1 trait that you simply’re searching for is a man that may function your system and throw the soccer,” Taylor stated. “Joe’s all the time been an incredible passer on this league.”
The Bengals accomplished the commerce and as soon as the league workplace authorised it, the workforce was in Cleveland to drive Flacco to Cincinnati and decide up his private car in order that he may get in regards to the enterprise of studying Taylor’s offense on quick ahead. Whereas in transit, he reviewed documentation in regards to the offense, sport plan and scheme he can be getting the keys to because the QB1 by the point the Bengals took the follow area Wednesday.
“Yesterday, felt like I stated there are 24 hours in a day. I felt like there have been 36 hours in yesterday,” Taylor stated Wednesday of the whirlwind upramp of Flacco. “We simply tried to cowl all the bottom items of knowledge. You prefer to knock out personnel and formations and motions and the simple stuff, after which whenever you get in right here, get the nuts and bolts.”
Cincinnati is final within the NFL in whole offense (228.6 yards per sport) and speeding with a paltry 57-yard common per sport. A woeful offense has made for a drained protection. The Bengals are thirtieth in whole protection (391.2 yards per sport) and thirtieth in scoring protection (31.2 factors per sport).
Defensive finish Shemar Stewart (ankle) was listed as restricted participation on Wednesday’s damage report, together with guard Lucas Patrick (calf) and receivers Charlie Jones (Achilles) and Ja’Marr Chase (relaxation). Guard Dylan Fairchild (knee) and tight finish Drew Pattern (ankle) didn’t follow.
Inexperienced Bay has received the final two regular-season matchups in opposition to the Bengals in 2017 and 2021, each in additional time.
–Subject Degree Media
