Green Bay Packers vs. Cincinnati Bengals Prediction, Preview, and Best NFL Bets

How to Watch Packers vs. Bengals

Date: Friday, Aug. 11
Time: 7 p.m. ET
Location: Paycor Stadium, Cincinnati, OH
Broadcast: NFL Network

A common concern during preseason matches is the participation of each team's standout players. Joe Burrow, for the Bengals, is off the table due to a calf strain that's expected to keep him off the field for several weeks.

Regarding Cincinnati's first-team lineup, while coach Zac Taylor is open to deploying starters for the preseason kickoff, he hasn't confirmed their game time. 

Traditionally, Taylor has kept his main players out of such games. Nevertheless, last season's sluggish start has prompted him to rethink this strategy. 

Although, he did hint at key players featuring in the second and third preseason games during a pre-camp meet. So, it's unlikely that these players will take to the field on Friday night.

Green Bay generally prefers to rest its starters during the preseason. However, Matt LaFleur might adopt a different stance this year. 

While he hasn't detailed his plan, LaFleur mentioned the possibility of granting considerable playtime to Jordan Love and the receivers across all preseason matches.

Green Bay underwent significant changes following their lackluster 2022 season. Notably, Jordan Love is anticipated to succeed Aaron Rodgers as the starting quarterback. 

The match should also feature new offensive talents like Jayden Reed, Luke Musgrave, and Tucker Craft. The third running back position remains contested among Tyler Goodson, Lew Nichols, and Patrick Taylor. 

The backup for Jordan Love is still undetermined, though Sean Clifford, a fifth-round pick, seems to have an advantage over Danny Etling and Alex McGough. Additionally, Zach Tom might be tried out at both center and right tackle positions.

Defensively, Green Bay's Achilles heel last season was their run defense. Kenny Clark leads a group with fixed starters but is on the lookout for dependable rotational members. 

Colby Wooden is expected to join the squad, whereas Karl Brooks, Jonathan Ford, and Chris Slayton will be vying for a spot, especially given the team's need in this area. 

The rest of the defensive lineup appears fairly settled for the final 53-man roster. There might be a subtle competition for the punter's position, but the majority of Green Bay's uncertainties are on the offensive side.

Holding consecutive AFC North titles, the Bengals aim to establish themselves as the dominant force in the division this year. 

A key issue from last season was their ground game. Joe Mixon returns as the primary running back, provided he remains fit. With Trayveon Williams sidelined, the backup role falls between rookie Chase Brown and Chris Evans (distinct from the actor). 

As Joe Burrow won't be playing, expect to see significant playtime from Trevor Siemian, Jake Browning, and Reid Sinnett. Their performance is crucial since none of them have a guaranteed roster spot. 

Beneficially, the starting offensive line, which now includes Orlando Brown Jr. as left tackle and Jonah Williams shifted to right tackle, will likely see some action.

On the defensive side, there seem to be fewer concerns for Cincinnati. However, as with Green Bay, the depth of the interior defensive line warrants attention. 

The safety position is undergoing a transition with both starters replaced, and a rookie is anticipated to see regular backup action. Players to watch in this area include Nick Scott, Dax Hill, and Jordan Battle. 

Though Sidney Jones IV, DJ Turner, and DJ Ivey won't start as cornerbacks, they're expected to be frequently rotated in throughout the season. 

Lastly, keep an eye on rookie punter Brad Robbins, not just for his punting prowess but also his skills as a holder, a vital yet often overlooked aspect of the kicking game.

Both head coaches don't place high importance on preseason game victories, evidenced by their 1-2 records last season. The primary focus for this game will likely be player evaluation rather than achieving a win. Zac Taylor, recognizing the potential in his team, would avoid jeopardizing key players' health ahead of Week 1.

Similarly, Matt LaFleur is not inclined to expose his primary players to unnecessary risks. However, given the Packers' shift from Aaron Rodgers to the relatively unseasoned Jordan Love, they might exhibit caution in withdrawing players early from the match.

Even so, this matchup is anticipated to be closely contested, with both teams likely having difficulties finding the end zone. Green Bay had challenges with run defense last season, and coincidentally, Cincinnati had their own issues running the ball. 

The Packers boast a formidable secondary, and they're up against three Cincinnati quarterbacks who, despite having skilled receivers, might not exploit them fully. On the other hand, Cincinnati's defense, being robust in depth, will compete against three quarterbacks with limited NFL achievements. 

The game is expected to conclude with a marginal difference, possibly no more than a touchdown, as neither side appears capable of pulling away.

• ⭐ Best NFL Bets 1: Bengals on the ML (-200) at BetMGM
• ⭐ Best NFL Bets2 : Under 35 points (-110) at Draftkings
• ⭐ Best NFL Bets3 : Bengals +4.5 (-110)  at FanDuel