GREEN BAY, Wisconsin − Joe Flacco didn’t gain traction quickly enough in his Cincinnati Bengals debut to salvage his new club’s game against the Green Bay Packers, but the traction he did gain could pay dividends in the games to come.
With Flacco starting at quarterback less than a week after joining the Bengals via trade, Cincinnati lost its fourth consecutive game in a 27-18 defeat to the Packers Oct. 12 at Lambeau Field.
Flacco (29-for-44, 219 yards and two touchdowns) pulled a lifeless Bengals offense together starting late in the first half. Cincinnati came up short in the contest, but their new signal-caller forced a nervy finish for the favored Packers before a crowd of 78,277.
Flacco’s outing made for a competitive showing, which was welcome after the team was outscored 113-37 in its previous three games.
“In the moment, you’re just trying to keep it simple, take it one play at a time,” Flacco said. “I kind of kept telling myself that on the sideline today, ‘Don’t get too high in this environment. Just kind of, no matter what the scoreboard says and what’s going on, just remember to keep, continue to play each play.’ And look, in this league if you’re able to do that consistently, then you’re going to put yourself in it down the stretch.”
The Bengals (2-4) will have a short week ahead of hosting the Pittsburgh Steelers (4-1, first place in the AFC North) on Oct. 16 in a Thursday Night Football game at Paycor Stadium.
After a scoreless first quarter, Cincinnati fell behind 10-0 going into halftime, but Flacco and the Bengals offense seemed to find a rhythm on the last drive of the first half. That ended with an Evan McPherson 67-yard field goal negated by a Green Bay timeout, followed by the actual attempt that fell short. The 67-yarder would have been an NFL record.
Cincinnati started the second half with a 17-play, 10-plus-minute touchdown drive as Flacco connected with tight end Tanner Hudson to make it 10-7.
But the Packers had a response on their next three drives, going ahead 17-7 on a Josh Jacobs rushing score and then 24-10 following a 45-yard McPherson field goal.
Cincinnati again made it a one-score game at 24-18 with about four minutes remaining on a 19-yard touchdown reception by Ja’Marr Chase, plus a two-point conversion reception by Chase Brown.
“The offense had those four possessions that generate offense and give us a chance there to take a lead, take a tie to halftime, and then second half offense came out, I thought played well,” Bengals head coach Zac Taylor said. “Defense just couldn’t quite get off the field. So, when we talk about complementary football, that’s what we’re talking about, and it wasn’t overall good enough. Good to see pieces that we can lean into and continue to grow. But losing this game on the road, there’s no consolation there. We expected to win.”
Green Bay took possession again and used a 39-yard field goal by newly-signed kicker Lucas Havrisik to effectively ice the game.
Needing two scores, McPherson came back on the Bengals’ ensuing drive and attempted a 56-yard field goal after Cincinnati crossed midfield. With 46 seconds to play, his kick was short. The Packers took possession and ran out the clock.
Packers quarterback Jordan Love went 19-for-26 for with 259 yards and a touchdown pass to Tucker Kraft.
Jacobs had 18 carries for 93 yards and two touchdowns.
Ja’Marr Chase had 10 catches for 94 yards and a touchdown to lead the Bengals.
Stream Bengals vs. Packers on Paramount+
Bengals fall to Packers | Bengals 18, Packers 27
Cincinnati falls to 2-4 after failing to come back against Green Bay in Week 6. The Bengals had more yards on their first drive of the second half than they registered in the entire first half. Cincinnati will host the Pittsburgh Steelers on Thursday night at Paycor Stadium.
Bengals score vs. Packers | Cincinnati 18, Green Bay 27
A 39-yard field goal by Lucas Havrisik, who the Packers signed this week, will make a Cincinnati comeback very tough now.
Bengals score vs. Packers | Cincinnati 18, Green Bay 24
Joe Flacco led Cincinnati to exactly what it needed on that drive, which was relatively quick and ended with not only a Ja’Marr Chase touchdown catch of 19 yards, but a two-point conversion when Flacco found Chase Brown.
Now, the defense needs a stop to give Flacco a chance to pull off something very memorable at Lambeau Field.
Bengals score vs. Packers | Cincinnati 10, Green Bay 24
Tucker Kraft finished off another Packers scoring drive, catching and running most of the 19 yards he needed to make it 24-10. With 7:33 on the clock (the Bengals have two timeouts remaining), Cincinnati needs a quick score and a stop.
Strange note on that Jordan Love-to-Kraft touchdown hookup: It was the longest touchdown pass so far this season for the Packers.
Bengals score vs. Packers | Cincinnati 10, Green Bay 17
The Bengals’ offense is suddenly in a good spot as it has scored on two consecutive drives, and almost scored on a third going back to the final drive of the first half.
The most recent drive ended with a 45-yard Evan McPherson field goal to make it a one-score game.
Bengals score vs. Packers | Cincinnati 7, Green Bay 17
The Packers responded to the Bengals’ first touchdown of the game with a touchdown of their own. Josh Jacobs ran the ball in from 14 yards out for a 17-7 lead. Cincinnati needs another response, and probably a faster one than its last scoring drive as it lasted over 10 minutes.
Bengals score vs. Packers | Cincinnati 7, Green Bay 10
Game on at Lambeau Field. The most promising drive of the day for Cincinnati ended with points on the scoreboard as Joe Flacco found Tanner Hudson in the back of the end zone on 4th-and-goal. Evan McPherson converted the point-after.
The drive went 17 plays, 78 yards and 10:14 time of possession.
Bengals score vs. Packers | Cincinnati 0, Green Bay 10
Evan McPherson attempted a 67-yard field goal on the final play of the half. His first crack at it was good, and he dinked it in off the crossbar − but the Packers called timeout before the ball was snapped, so the play was wiped out. His second attempt was well short, so Cincinnati will get the ball to start the third quarter trailing, 10-0.
The Bengals’ last drive of the half was their best of the game as it netted three first downs. They had just one in the half prior to that.
Cincinnati is being out-gained 240-65 and out-possessed by a wide margin as the Packers held the ball for 21:
Bengals score vs. Packers | Bengals 0, Packers 10
Facing a third and ten, Jordan Love found Matthew Golden on a 35-yard catch. Golden beat some decent coverage from Cam Taylor-Britt. Love then found Josh Jacobs on a short pass but with acres of green grass in front of him on what ended up being a 43-yard gain. After a Taylor-Britt holding call, Jacobs ran the ball in for the first touchdown of the game from three yards out.
With 4:05 to play in the half, Cincinnati has a chance to get a foothold in the game if it can put points on the scoreboard because they’ll get the ball back to begin the second half. But it’s time to go. The Packers have been threatening to pull away since the opening kick, and it might actually be in the process of happening now with a 10-0 lead.
Bengals offense can’t get going vs. Packers at Lambeau Field
Cincinnati’s had the ball three times now and has just one first down to show for their 5:55 of possessing the football. Joe Flacco is 3-for-6 for 15 yards thus far.
Packers score vs. Bengals | Bengals 0, Packers 10
As much as Green Bay is dominating this game (see below), the Bengals defense has twice stiffened up when it needed to. On the Packers’ second drive, they forced the hosts to kick a 43-yard field goal, which Lucas Havrisik converted. It’s 3-0, and Cincinnati will definitely take that considering the balance of the game so far.
Bengals-Packers in a scoreless tie after one quarter at Lambeau Field
The good thing for Cincinnati is that the contest is somehow a scoreless tie after one quarter. The bad news is that Green Bay is completely dominating this game, and their first march to the end zone was interrupted by a crucial Geno Stone tipped interception.
The Packers have out-gained Cincinnati 116 yards to one. Yes, one yard for the Bengals. Singular.
Green Bay had the ball for 13:00 in the first quarter.
Safe to say the score isn’t telling the whole story so far at Lambeau Field.
Three-and-out on Bengals QB Joe Flacco’s first drive
A jet sweep to Ja’Marr Chase resulted in a short loss on first down. Then, Semaje Perine rushed for no gain, and Joe Flacco completed his first-ever pass as a Bengals but it was for a short gain. Cincinnati punted away, but the Packers are at least pinned on their own 4-yard line after a penalty.
The Bengals’ defense gets a big stop
The Bengals rush arrived late, but when it finally got home, multiple Cincinnati rushers forced a Jordan Love throw that was tipped by D.J. Turner and intercepted by Geno Stone inside his defensive 20-yard line. Stone then brought the ball out Cincinnati’s 36-yard line.
Time for Joe Flacco to show what he’s got, but the Bengals defense just stiffened up and kept the Packers off the scoreboard as they were almost certain to at least get a field goal out of their opening drive.
Underway at Lambeau Field for Bengals vs. Packers
The Bengals won the toss, deferred to the hosts and the Packers are driving into field goal territory around the 12-minute mark in the first quarter. Also, a word on field goals today: Winds are blowing at 14mph and gusting up to 25mph. That could be a factor for both teams on special teams today.
The Packers aren’t kicking yet, though, as they just converted a 4th-and-1 and a Jordan Love quarterback keeper to continue their drive just outside the Bengals’ defensive red zone.
Bengals vs. Packers live score updates and highlights for Week 6
The Bengals and Packers square off in Week 6. The Bengals are coming off a loss to the Lions and the offense will be led by veteran quarterback Joe Flacco. The Packers are coming off a bye. Cincinnati (2-3) is looking to get back to .500 and Green Bay (2-1-1) is looking to gain ground on the Lions, who they beat in Week 1. Follow along for live updates throughout the game.
Bengals inactives today vs. Packers
The following players are inactive for the Bengals vs. Packers:
CB Marco Wilson
G Dylan Fairchild
WR Jermaine Burton
TE Cam Grandy
DL Jordan Jefferson
DL Shemar Stewart
What time does the Bengals game start today?
Bengals vs. Vikings in Week 6 is scheduled for a 4:25 p.m. ET kickoff. The game will be broadcast on CBS/Local 12 (WKRC-TV).
Joe Burrow injury
Joe Burrow suffered a Grade 3 turf toe injury in Cincinnati’s Week 2 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars. The injury required surgery and Burrow will be out until at least December. Head coach Zac Taylor has not ruled out a return for Burrow this year.
Is the Bengals game on TV today?
The Bengals vs. Packers game will be broadcast on CBS/Local 12 (WKRC-TV).
Is Ja’Marr Chase playing today?
Bengals wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase is listed as questionable on the injury report, but Adam Schefter reported Chase will play today against the Green Bay Packers.
Bengals injury report
Wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase was listed as questionable on the Bengals’ final injury report of the week with an illness. Offensive guard Dylan Fairchild is questionable with a knee injury and defensive end Shemar Stewart is doubtful with an ankle injury. Click or tap here to see the full injury report for the Packers and Bengals.
Bengals vs. Packers odds, spread
The Packers are favored by 14.5 points and the over/under point total is 44.5, according to BetMGM.
Bengals 2025 football schedule
Week 1: Sept. 7, Bengals 17, Cleveland Browns 16 (1-0)Week 2: Sept. 14, Bengals 31, Jacksonville Jaguars 17 (2-0)Week 3: Sept. 21, Bengals 10, Minnesota Vikings 48 (2-1)Week 4: Sept. 29, Bengals 3, Denver Broncos 28 (2-2)Week 5: Oct. 5, Bengals24, Detroit Lions 37 (2-3)Week 6: Oct. 12, Bengals at Green Bay Packers 4:25 p.m. ETWeek 7: Oct. 16, Bengals vs. Pittsburgh Steelers 8:15 p.m. | *Thursday Night Football on Amazon PrimeWeek 8: Oct. 27, Bengals vs. New York Jets 1 p.m. ETWeek 9: Nov. 2, Bengals vs. Chicago Bears 1 p.m. ETWeek 10: Bye weekWeek 11: Nov. 16, Bengals at Pittsburgh Steelers 1 p.m. ETWeek 12: Nov. 23, Bengals vs. New England Patriots 1 p.m. ETWeek 13: Nov. 27, Bengals at Baltimore Ravens 8:20 p.m. ET | *Thanksigving game on NBCWeek 14: Dec. 7, Bengals at Buffalo Bills 4:25 p.m. ETWeek 15: Dec. 14, Bengals vs. Baltimore Ravens 1 p.m. ETWeek 16: Dec. 21, Bengals at Miami Dolphins 8:20 p.m. ET | * Sunday Night Football on NBCWeek 17: Bengals vs. Arizona Cardinals, Date and network TBDWeek 18: Bengals vs. Cleveland Browns, Date and network TBDThe final two weeks of the season don’t have game times because the NFL reserves the right to flex games into primetime spots based on playoff scenarios.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Joe Flacco-led Bengals comeback falls short vs. Green Bay Packers | Replay
Reporting by Jason Hoffman, Pat Brennan, Dave Clark and Kyle Brown, Cincinnati Enquirer / Cincinnati Enquirer
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
