Cincinnati Bengals @ Green Bay Packers
Final Score: Packers 27, Bengals 18
Writer: Griffey Geiss (@ggeiss_mlb and @ggeiss_PL on Twitter)
A game that was close in points, but felt like the Packers dominated all day long. The stars showed out — Ja’Marr Chase and Josh Jacobs had themselves a ballgame. QBs were constantly pressured and forced to scramble, though the box score (just two combined sacks) wouldn’t tell you that. The Bengals’ offense was dead in the first half but came out swinging post-halftime, leading to the final score. Flacco’s 10-minute scoring drive was great to watch. Other than that, he was mightily inefficient. Chase Brown continues to do nothing as well.
Three Up
- Josh Jacobs — Continued his quest as a top-five fantasy RB.
- Ja’Marr Chase — No notes. Looked like the top-five WR he is.
- Tucker Kraft — Remains a quality TE start, hauling in another TD.
Two Down
- Chase Brown — Remains one of the biggest busts in fantasy football this season.
- Joe Flacco — Consistently inefficient and off-target.
Cincinnati Bengals
Quarterback
Joe Flacco: 29/45, 219 yards, 2 TDs
Joe Flacco looked fine at times — notably during Cincy’s first drive out of the half where it scored — but overall (similar to the Bengals’ offense as a whole), he just isn’t that good. There, I said it. His throws looked pathetic at times, missing receivers left and right, constantly overthrowing guys, not to mention he is very limited mobility-wise when the pressure came … and there was a lot of that.
Flacco was able to keep Cincy in the game and distribute to his top receivers. Ja’Marr Chase got his share and Tee Higgins turned in his first game of at least 50 yards since Week 1. I guess that’s all you can ask from him.
Missed Opportunities
- Two drops from Andre Iosivas.
- Poor throw led to a 2-yard loss by Drew Sample. Would’ve been a first down.
- A handful additional low-leverage overthrows.
Running Back
Chase Brown: 9 carries, 42 yards | 2 targets, 2 receptions, 7 yards
Chase Brown is rapidly approaching “Whatever happened there?” territory. That is, of course, if he’s not already there. He simply doesn’t touch the ball. It’s awful and frankly, pathetic on Cincy’s front. This has been said all year and I don’t think I need to add on more.
Brown is essentially splitting time with backup Samaje Perine (see below), with snap counts at 35 and 30, respectively. Even with running more routes, he was still out-targeted in the passing game.
Samaje Perine: 6 carries, 16 yards | 3 targets, 2 receptions, 16 yards
As seen above, Samaje Perine continues to eat away at Brown’s usage. He’s been a solid veteran backup for the Bengals during his tenure. This year, Perine is averaging 4.5 yards per attempt.
Wide Receiver/Tight End
Ja’Marr Chase: 12 targets, 10 receptions, 94 yards, TD | 1 carry, -3 yards
I could really leave this blank — the box score says it all. While Ja’Marr Chase hasn’t been able to turn in No. 1 pick production in fantasy this year, most if not all thanks to the abysmal injury to Joe Burrow, he certainly looked the part this afternoon.
Chase was constantly in double coverage and that couldn’t stop him.
Tee Higgins: 8 targets, 5 receptions, 62 yards
Tee Higgins finally recorded a game with over 50 yards. His last time doing so? Week 1. It’s been rough for Higgins and his fantasy owners, but things may be looking up.
Noah Fant: 4 targets, 4 receptions, 27 yards
Flacco loves his TEs and Noah Fant was there as a big, easy target this afternoon. Mike Gesicki suffered a pec injury and did not return, leading to a slight tick up in production from both Fant and teammates Tanner Hudson (below) and Drew Sample.
Tanner Hudson: 5 targets, 4 receptions, 10 yards, TD
Andre Iosivas: 4 targets, 1 reception, 5 yards
Drew Sample: 2 targets, 1 reception, -2 yards
Green Bay Packers
Quarterback
Jordan Love: 19/26, 259 yards, TD, INT | 7 carries, 26 yards
Jordan Love was solid for the most part, remaining composed under pressure despite having to move around and even dash outside the pocket often. He was able to throw strikes to his receivers in stride and move the chains on a consistent basis, distributing the wealth to all of his weapons. The interception was thrown early while fleeing for his life outside of the pocket and was tipped up by a defender. Not a concern.
Missed Opportunities
- End-zone drop from Tucker Kraft (defensive flag was thrown on the play).
Running Back
Josh Jacobs: 18 carries, 93 yards, 2 TDs | 5 targets, 5 receptions, 57 yards
Joshua. Cordell. Jacobs. A superstar in the running game. He looked the part and then some as a top five running back this afternoon, making guys miss, fighting for extra yards, and even taking over in the passing game. He is elite!
Emmanuel Wilson: 3 carries, 11 yards | 1 target, 1 reception, -4 yards
Emmanuel Wilson served as Jacobs’ backup and remains an efficient option in the run game. He’s averaging a nifty 4.7 yards per attempt this year. This is his third consecutive game with three or more carries after one total rushing attempt through Green Bay’s first two games.
Savion Williams: 1 carry, 3 yards
Savion Williams also returned three kicks for 96 yards.
Bo Melton: 1 carry, 3 yards
Chris Brooks: 1 carry, 1 yard
Wide Receiver/Tight End
Matthew Golden: 5 targets, 3 receptions, 83 yards | 2 carries, 16 yards
Matthew Golden was effective on the outside, leading his team in receiving yards. He even got to carry the ball twice. I’d like to see his volume tick up a bit more, but overall this is a very solid showing. His 83 yards is his best in 2025.
Romeo Doubs: 9 targets, 5 receptions, 55 yards
Romeo Doubs led his fellow receivers in snaps, targets, and routes ran. He also generated 14 yards on two punt returns. It’s clear Love … loves … to look his way. This marks back-to-back games with at least eight targets and 50 yards. A steady contributor.
Tucker Kraft: 2 targets, 2 receptions, 43 yards, TD
Tucker Kraft is not only uber-efficient, averaging 14.9 yards per reception, but he’s a consistent threat in the red zone. He scored on his second catch and nearly had two touchdowns had he hung on, though there was a defensive penalty on the play.
Dontayvion Wicks: 2 targets, 2 receptions, 15 yards
Dontayvion Wicks suffered an ankle injury and was unable to finish the game, though he did enter for one play in an attempted comeback.
Luke Musgrave: 2 targets, 1 reception, 7 yards