Packers (3-1) at Bengals (3-1)
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, Paul Brown Stadium, Cincinnati
TV: Fox
Tipico Sportsbook line: Packers by 3 ⁄2
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Packers’ keys to victory: In a 38-3 Week 1 loss to New Orleans, Green Bay had three turnovers after committing only 11 all of last season. A total of one turnover in the next three games coincided with three wins. Mixing up the short and intermediate passing games for QB Aaron Rodgers will keep turnovers down and keep a stout Cincinnati pass rush in check. Getting RB Aaron Jones going against a defense that has struggled to stop the run will help keep a strong offense sidelined.
Bengals’ keys to victory: Bringing pressure on creative blitzes with the likes of CB Mike Hilton will be a good way to mask health issues in the secondary and perhaps create turnovers. Offensively, mixing it up should work again. Over the first three weeks, QB Joe Burrow and WR Ja’Marr Chase linked up for four touchdowns. In a Week 4 overtime win over the Jaguars, Burrow found TE C.J. Uzomah twice for TDs.
Matchup to watch: Packers CB Eric Stokes vs. Bengals’ Chase. A showdown between firstround rookies. Stokes has been on the field as a starter due to injuries and looked solid. Chase, meanwhile, has caught 17 passes for 297 yards and four scores (17.5 yards per catch). If Stokes can force Cincinnati to push the ball to less explosive options, he could let the Packers get a big lead.
Who wins? The game could turn into a shootout, especially with the defenses hurting. Burrow and the Bengals are dangerous, and if a timid Packers’ pass rush isn’t hitting home, he has enough weapons to outduel Rodgers.
Bengals, 35-30