Many people thought the Cincinnati Bengals, with Joe Burrow at quarterback, would be a genuine contender in the AFC this season, considering the performance Burrow had last year.

Of course, there were others who were non-believers, because no matter how good the Cincinnati offense was or could be, it was going to be neutralized by the team’s weaknesses.

With Burrow down with an injury, those weaknesses became exacerbated, so it has been a catastrophe.

Now they are seeking a temporary solution, turning to a veteran in an unusual move that they hope can keep their playoff chances alive.

The ageless Joe Flacco, the former Super Bowl MVP, will get the start on Sunday as the Bengals take on the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field at 4:25 PM ET.

NFL odds for the Packers-Bengals game 

For Flacco’s Cincinnati debut, the Packers are laying two touchdowns according to the numbers posted at BetUS: 

Browning gets the hook….and earns it 

The Bengals have a 2-3 record at the moment, so it’s not as if they couldn’t keep themselves in contention for at least a wild card spot. If they are able to hang around long enough, they might have Joe Burrow, sidelined with turf toe, save the day for them. 

Before this season, Jake Browning was considered to be an acceptable backup option. After all, when he had to fill in for Burrow in 2023, he threw for almost 2000 yards and completed 70% of his passes. 

But this year everything seemed to go awry. Browning has thrown eight interceptions, which is a higher frequency than anyone in the league. 

After three straight defeats, head coach Zac Taylor had to admit that he was considering other quarterback alternatives. But could anyone have suspected where that QB alternative was going to come from?

Bengals want another comeback from Flacco 

With Joe Flacco newly available after the Cleveland Browns decided to move ahead with rookie Dillon Gabriel, the Bengals made a quick deal for him, no doubt hoping he could rekindle what he had in 2023, when he led the Browns to a wild card playoff spot and won the Comeback Player of the Year. 

And they’re not wasting any time either; they are putting him right into the starting lineup on Sunday when they visit the Green Bay Packers, a team Flacco has already faced and beaten, albeit with the help of the staunch Cleveland defense. 

Last year Flacco started six games for the Indianapolis Colts and completed 65% with a TD-INT ratio of 12=-7. 

On September 21, he threw for 142 yards on 36 attempts against Green Bay, an average of less than four yards an attempt. But it may be an advantage because he has already spent time preparing for the Packers’ defense. 

With Tee Higgins and Ja’Marr Chase, Flacco has receivers at his disposal that are superior to what he had with the Browns. And according to Taylor, he “fits right in” with the offensive system they’re using. Burrow has been quoted as saying that, “He can spin it with the best of them. He’s got one of the strongest arms of all time. So he’s going to be able to put the ball when and where he wants to put it.”

What will happen in the Bengals-Packers game? 

Here is the problem for Flacco this week – while he may have a good picture of the Green Bay defense, he is going to be handicapped  by the offensive line he has in front of him. 

According to Pro Football Focus, the Bengals have the lowest pass-blocking efficiency rating in the NFL. They are also playing rookies at the guard positions. Remember as well that Flacco is not known for his mobility.

Still, 14 points is a hefty spot to lay. Somehow Flacco managed to get sacked only twice by the Packers a few weeks back, and that was with an offensive line that is graded 30th by PFF.

There is no escaping the fact that Cincinnati has a defense that is ranked near the bottom in just about everything. That’s a major factor that will send this game OVER the total.

THE PLAY: OVER 44.5 POINTS

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