Confident Bengals try to slow Packers
CINCINNATI — Bengals Coach Zac Taylor has seen a lot of Aaron Rodgers.
In Taylor’s estimation, he’s watched more videotape on Rodgers than any other NFL quarterback. And that includes Taylor’s current quarterback, Joe Burrow.
One of Taylor’s first assignments when he was hired as an NFL assistant with the Dolphins in 2012 was cataloging videotape of Rodgers, who was the reigning NFL MVP.
“That was my first week in the NFL, watching every snap Green Bay took in their NFC Championship run in 2011,” the third-year Cincinnati coach said this week. “I was like, man, is every quarterback in the league like this? And then you come to find out over the course of 10 years that he’s special.”
Taylor will have a sideline seat today when the Packers (3-1) visit the improved Bengals (3-1).
Rodgers at 37 is still bringing it. Last week in Green Bay’s win over the Steelers, he was 20 for 36 for 248 yards and two touchdowns. He’s thrown for 897 yards as Green Bay has reeled off three consecutive wins after losing to New Orleans in Week 1.
“It starts with their tremendous quarterback, and they’ve got great tools and weapons all around him, and [Packers Coach Matt] LaFleur does a great job of putting them in a good position,” Taylor said.
The Bengals have a pretty decent quarterback of their own.
Four days after Cincinnati took down the Steelers in Pittsburgh, the Bengals fell behind the Jacksonville Jaguars 14-0 at halftime of Thursday night’s game. The unflappable Burrow led scores on all four second-half drives, the final one setting up Evan McPherson for a game-winning 35-yard field goal as time ran out.
Rodgers has noticed what’s happening in Cincinnati.
“They went out and they spent some money, they brought in some free agents, guys that we know,” Rodgers said.
“They’re a talented team. I think the difference is they’re 3-1, so they’re obviously playing with a lot more confidence and believing that they can and should be winning games. Having a first-pick quarterback and some stud guys on that side of the ball, they’ve been scoring some points.”
Rodgers threw his 420th career touchdown pass in the win last week to tie Dan Marino for sixth all time.
Rodgers has a chance to move into the top five today. He’s one behind Philip Rivers, who threw 421 touchdown passes before retiring at the end of last season.