The Bengals won in Green Bay 31-24, and the total team victory by Cincinnati was even more convincing than the final score indicates.
After recording only three sacks last year, DE Antwan Odom’s five-sack day felt like a dream. He believes that adding weight has helped him this season.
LB Rey Maualuga forced two fumbles and a sack, including an awesome play where he practically decapitated Packers RB Ryan Grant.
RB Cedric Benson, who rushed for 146 yards and is playing the best football of his career, is a good example of the maturing Bengals.
Other things went wrong for the Packers, but their pass protection is clearly the team’s biggest issue.
WR Greg Jennings was enraged about the officiating, especially after the final sequence of the game, and let head linesman Mark Hittner know about it.
Green Bay’s loss was costly in a few ways: they may be without left tackle Chad Clifton (ankle) and safety Nick Collins (clavicle) next week.
The preseason potency of the Packers offense is a distant memory now.
The Packers’ special teams also contributed heavily to the loss.