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Disappointing..........Coming off an emotional win over your archrival Chicago Bears the Green Bay Packers(1-1) comeback attempt fell short as they lost 31-24 to the Cincinnati Bengals(1-1). Frustrating........On their opening drive of the second half and after forcing the Bengals to punt on a 3 and out, the Packers Offense seemed on track to score either a FG or TD to take the lead in the third quarter as they drove into Bengals territory. RB Ryan Grant rushed straight up the middle and fumbled the ball after being hit. The Bengals took over possession in their own territory and marched the length of the field as QB Carson Palmer connected with WR Chad Ochocinco on a 13-yard TD pass to take the lead 28-21. Down 28-21, with plenty of time remaining in the game Head coach Mike McCarthy decided to ditch the running game altogether. This made the Packers offensive attack one-dimensional and gave the Bengals pass rush the green light. This sequence of events ended up being the turning point and difference in the game. However, you have to give credit where credit is due though. Even as QB Carson Palmer struggled in the first half the Benglas Offense was able to control the majority of the game behind RB Cedric Benson who had 29 carries for 141 yards rushing. The Packers 3-4 Defense could simply not make the big plays on 3rd down to get off the field(3 & 34!!!). Yes, CB Charles Woodson was great as he intercepted two passes including returning one for a TD, but in the end gave up too many yards on the ground. The Packers Offense continued to struggle as the did in week 1 against the Bears. The run game was alomst non-existent and QB Aaron Rodgers was sacked 6 times. Five of those sacks alone came from Bengals DE Antwan Odom. I do not care how many weapons on Offense the Packers have. The game of football is won and lost up front. If they can not protect and give QB Aaron Rodgers time to throw the ball or get a solid push up front and run the ball on a consistent basis they will not be able to beat anybody. Two games into the season the stats are very telling and draw concern in regards to the Packers performance on offense: 268.5 net yards, 10 for 27(37%) on third down conversions, 3.5 yards per rush, 10 sacks given up, and only 4 TD drives(Two of them came after Defense forced turnover deep in opponent's territory). It did not help that T Chad Clifton had to leave the game on the first series after halftime due to an ankle injury. S Nick Colins also suffered a shoulder injury and had to leave the game in the first half. It is not that the Defense played bad, they were just on the field way too long. The Packers could not produce a drive. Bottom line: the Offense needs to improve. Looking to next week the Packers go on the road and play the St. Louis Rams(0-2). It is very important that the Packers bounce back from a disappointing loss and earn another win to keep pace in the NFC North. GO PACK GO!!!
One of Bengals DE Antwan Odom's 5 sacks in the game.
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