Cincy Jungle
The Joe Burrow Effect is real. For the third time in his six seasons as the face of the franchise, the Bengals have made an in-season trade. Prior to 2020, the Bengals had not made an in-season trade since 1972.
Trading for Joe Flacco is sending a message, even after three losses all by at least 13 points. In a wide-open AFC North and AFC, the Bengals believe they can still contend. Not only that, but this move buys time for Joe Burrow to return.
There is hope, even as the Green Bay Packers loom on Sunday at Lambeau Field. The Packers have a really good team. Not only that, but they should come out with a high sense of urgency, considering they haven’t won since Week 2.
Whenever the Bengals and Packers get together, something crazy happens. Five missed field goals in the fourth quarter and overtime in 2021. The hottest game on record at Lambeau Field in 2017. A 16-point comeback win by the Bengals over the Packers in 2013 at then-Paul Brown Stadium. Antwan Odom sacked Aaron Rodgers in Green Bay five times in 2009. Brett Favre had the ball stolen from him by a fan in 2005.
The Bengals and Packers have met 14 times, with each team winning seven of those meetings.
Let’s take a deeper look at the Packers ahead of Sunday’s game at the Holy Grail of NFL stadiums.
Jordan Love is one of the most interesting quarterbacks in the NFL. Since becoming the full-time Packers starting quarterback in 2023, he has led the Packers to two straight playoff appearances. But there’s still an inconsistent feel surrounding him when it comes to winning games against elite teams.
Regardless, Love showed in the second half of the 2023 season that he is worthy of being the Packers’ franchise quarterback. Green Bay rewarded him with a massive contract extension prior to the 2024 season, which Love responded to by being one of just two quarterbacks in the NFL with 25+ touchdown passes and a 95.0+ passer rating in each of the last two seasons.
So far this season, Love has 1,000 yards and eight touchdowns to just one interception. He’s coming off a 337-yard, three-touchdown performance at Dallas two weeks ago, a game that ended in a 40-40 tie.
1. No. 8: Running Back, Josh Jacobs — 5-10, 223 lbs. Alabama
Jacobs was a perfect free agent signing for the Packers in March of 2024. Through his first six seasons, Jacobs was No. 2 in the NFL in rushing yards, rushing touchdowns, rushing first downs, and yards from scrimmage. He’s one of four players in NFL history with 6,800+ rushing yards, 60+ rushing touchdowns, 225+ receptions, and 1,750+ receiving yards in his first six NFL seasons. The other three? Emmitt Smith, LaDainian Tomlinson, and Maurice Jones-Drew. In addition, Jacobs is the only player...
