In the drunkest game in NFL history, the Green Bay Packers (4-1, 1-0 NFC North) escaped Paul Brown Stadium with a 25-22 win over the Cincinnati Bengals (3-2, 1-0 AFC North). In a game that truly had it all, the Packers– despite missing several key players due to injury– fought through all four quarters plus overtime before adding another key road win to their 2021 season resume.  

The Bengals won the toss and deferred in this one, so the Packers were the first to get a crack at things on Sunday. On their opening play, running back Aaron Jones flew out of the backfield for a 14-yard pick and a first down. Then, two plays later on 2^nd and 5, Jones continued to run strong with an 11-yard pickup for another first down. However, the two strong runs from Jones weren’t enough to keep moving the chains for the Packers. After shifting away from the run game, quarterback Aaron Rodgers threw back-to-back incomplete passes and Green Bay was forced to punt.

Despite a slow start from the Packers’ offense, the defense– as Matt LaFleur would put it – “woke up with their piss hot.” The d-train came out ready to play and forced a three and out after coming up with a big stop on 3^rd and 1. According to the FOX broadcast, the Bengals are now 0-5 on opening drives this season.

However, despite a big stop from the defense, the Packers offense still couldn’t find any rhythm on offense. Rodgers connected with wide receiver Randall Cobb for 15 yards and first down to open the drive but was later interpreted by Bengal’s cornerback Chidobe Awuzie on a pass intended for wide receiver Davante Adams.  

The Packers didn’t panic though. Their defense continued to show up and got big plays out of defensive end Dean Lowry– who batted down Cincinnati quarterback Joe Burrow’s pass attempt on first down – and linebacker Krys Barnes, who sacked Burrow for an 8-yard loss. On 3^rd and 18, the Packers’ defense continued to hold and forced the Bengals to punt.

Once again, Green Bay’s offense found a whole lot of nothing. They quickly went three and out and the ball was back in Cincinnati’s hands before you could even say “Go Pack Go.”

From there, the Bengals finally capitalized on the Packers’ slow start. After failing to move the chains on three straight downs, the Bengals went for it on 4^th and 3 and converted off a 5-yard pickup from running back Samaje Perine. After that, running back Joe Mixon picked up 10 yards and a first down. Then, on 2^nd and 4, Burrow connected on a short pass over the middle to tight end C.J. Uzomah for 7 yards and the first down to cruise their way into the red zone. From there, Burrow connected with Perine for a 4-yard pass and a touchdown to take a 7-0 lead.

The touchdown must’ve finally woken up Green Bay’s offense because, on their next drive, they finally showed some signs of life. On the opening play, Rodgers connected with Adams for 17 yards and a first down to end the first quarter. Then, on 3^rd and 12, Rodgers connected with Adams again, this time for a 34-yard pickup and a first down. From there, veteran tight end Marcedes Lewis got involved for a 14-yard pickup and a first down before Rodgers connected with running back AJ Dillon for a 12-yard pass and the score—the first receiving touchdown of Dillon’s career. But it wouldn’t be that easy…Kicker Mason Crosby foreshadowed what was to come for the Packers later in this game and missed the extra point to prevent the green and gold from tying this one at 7-7.

Green Bay’s defense continued to show up in the second quarter of this gritty matchup, forcing yet another three and out. Linebacker Preston Smith came up big with a 7-yard sack on 3^rd and 4 to force the punt.

On offense, Dillon continued to get involved in the passing game for the Packers. Rodgers connected with him for a 13-yard pass and a first down to move the chains for the Packers early. Then, Rodgers connected with Davante Adams (again!) for a 24-yard pickup and another first down. However, it wasn’t enough, and the Packers couldn’t convert later in the drive. This time, Crosby was right on track and made his 44-yard field goal attempt to give Green Bay a 9-7 lead.  

Just when you started to forget about them, the Packers’ special teams unit decided it was finally time to lay an egg and allowed a 44-yard kickoff return. Thankfully, the Packers defense continued to fight and forced yet another three and out. Lowry and rookie defensive lineman T.J. Slaton combined for a sack for a 2-yard loss on first down and then Lowry continued to make plays after batting down Burrow’s pass on second down. Burrow took a hard hit on the Bengal’s third down attempt and appeared really shaken up on the play. Luckily, he was able to walk off on his own power and finish the game.

On their next drive, Rodgers and the offense really got rolling and the 12 to 17 connection started to heat up. Rodgers connected with Adams on 3^rd and 6 for 15 yards and a first down. Then, Dillon came up with another big pass play off a 24-yard reception and a first down. Fresh out the two-minute warning, Rodgers connected with Adams again for a 22-yard pickup and then threw it up for him again on 2^nd and goal for a 5-yard touchdown and the 16-7 lead.

According to the Packers, with that touchdown, Rodgers moved into 5^th in NFL history for career passing touchdowns with a total of 422.

However, it wasn’t a happy ending for the Packers in the first half. With just 36 seconds left, Burrow connected with wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase for a huge 70-yard touchdown play to cut Green Bay’s lead to 16-14. Safety Darnell Savage was just inches away from a PBU, but it went right through his hands and Chase took off for the score.

The Bengals got the ball to start the second half, but luckily the Packers’ d-train continued to show up. After Burrow and Chase connected for another big play, Green Bay safety Adrian Amos picked off Burrow at the Packers’ 18. Defensive tackle Kenny Clark applied great pressure up front to help make the play.

The offense couldn’t take full advantage of the defense’s gift though. Despite some nice plays from wide receiver Allen Lazard, Adams, tight end Robert Tonyan and Dillon, the Packers failed to convert on 3^rd down and had to settle for the field goal attempt. Crosby’s 44-yard attempt was good, and the Packers extended their lead to 19-14.

Once again, the Packers’ defense continued to make a stand and, thanks to a holding call on Cincinnati’s 4^th and 2 attempt, forced another punt.

To open the fourth quarter, the Packers were gifted 10 yards on 3^rd and 1 after a tripping penalty was called on the Bengals. After that, Rodgers absolutely bombed one down the field to Adams for a 59-yard pickup to put Green Bay in the red zone. The big play wasn’t enough after the Packers failed to convert on 3^rd and 4 and they would have to settle for another field goal attempt. Crosby’s 22-yard field goal was good, and the Green Bay extended their lead even further to 22-14.

From this point on, the remainder of this game was absolute madness. Cincinnati responded with their most impressive drive of the day, spanning 75 yards, 13 plays and shaving nearly 8 minutes off the clock (ESPN stats). After it looked like the Packers’ defense might’ve gotten another key stop, the Bengals decided to go for it on 4^th and 2 and converted after Burrow ran it up the middle. Then, on 3^rd and 6, Burrow and Chase connected for 19-yards and the first down, which set up Mixon’s eventual 8-yard rush for a touchdown. The Bengals attempted a two-point conversion, and wide receiver Tee Higgins beat Packers’ corner Isaac Yiadom for the catch to tie this one at 22 with 3:27 left.

To open what we all wished was the Packers’ game-winning drive, Jones followed his block and exploded for a 57-yard rush to bring Green Bay in field goal range. After a run up the middle for no gain and two incomplete passes, the Packers would look to Mason Crosby to take a late lead. However, his 36-yard field goal was no good and the Bengals got the ball with 2:12 left and a stash of timeouts.

After inching closer and closer to Green Bay territory, the Bengals looked like they were in a good position to try and win this one. With just 26 seconds left, rookie kicker Evan McPherson attempted a 57-yard field that would’ve given the Bengals a 25-22 lead. However, Crosby’s miss must’ve been contagious— McPherson “doinked” the attempt and the Packers’ hopes were still alive.

With 21 seconds left and no timeouts, Aaron Rodgers looked like he was about to close out another late-game miracle for the Packers. He connected with Adams for a 20-yard gain to put Green Bay at Cincy’s 33 and spiked the ball dead with just four seconds remaining. This time, Crosby wasn’t the hero though. His 51-yard attempt was no good and we headed to overtime tied at 22.

In overtime, the Bengals won the toss and had the first opportunity to put this game away. On the first play, Burrow made a costly mistake, and his pass was intercepted by linebacker De’Vondre Campbell and returned to the Bengal’s 17-yard line.

After losing yards on their first two plays, on third down, the Packers put their trust in Mason Crosby again, this time for a 40-yard walk-off attempt. In a heartbreaking attempt, the kick was once again no good and the Bengals had another shot to end this one.

After an impressive, toe-dragging catch from Chase for a 21-yard gain, Burrow and the Bengals creeped into field goal range with a chance to finally put is all out of our misery. However, Cincy’s 49-yard field goal attempt was also no good and the Packers’ hopes were somehow still alive.

On their next drive, the offense finally found something. Rodgers connected with Lewis for a 20-yard gain on 2^nd and 10 and then later with Cobb for 15 yards on 3^rd and 16. Since they were just 1-yard shy of the first down, the game was once again in Crosby’s hand. His 49-yard field goal attempt was good, and the Packers escaped with a 25-22 win.

What we learned: Mason Crosby isn’t perfect 

Well, we learned that Mason Crosby isn’t perfect on Sunday. After making 27 field goals in a row, his streak was snapped in horrific fashion in Cincinnati. Between missing the extra point early, to three missed field goals in a row that could’ve won the game late for the Packers, this was just not Crosby’s day.

I’m glad he had the opportunity to redeem himself, but Green Bay is really lucky his performance didn’t cost them the game.

What went right: AJ Dillon in the passing game

Have a day, WR2! AJ Dillon played fantastic in the passing game for the Packers, especially for a guy a lot of people say, “can’t catch.” Dillon trailed only Davante Adams in receiving stats with 4 receptions for 49 yards and a touchdown. He also looked decent in the run game with 8 carries for 30 yards (ESPN stats).

What went wrong: The red zone

The red zone on both sides of the ball was a bit of a mess for the Packers Sunday. According to the Athletic’s Matt Schneidman, the Packers have allowed touchdowns on all 13-opponent red-zone trips this season.

On top of that, after looking nearly unstoppable in the red zone last season, the Packers’ offense has looked really troubling in the red zone at times this season. Green Bay had back-to-back drives with 50+ yard plays late in the game and only earned 3 points out of it.

Offensive MVP: Davante Adams

Davante Adams continues to be Davante Adams. Despite knowing this, the Bengals still had no answers for him, and he absolutely demonstrated why so many of us think he’s the best in the game at his position.

Tae led the team in receiving with 11 receptions for 206 yards and a touchdown (ESPN stats).

Defensive MVP: De’Vondre Campbell

De’Vondre Campbell once again looks like an offseason steal for the Packers. He put on another hell of a performance – despite briefly leaving the game with a shoulder injury – and tallied 8 total tackles on the day, 6 which were solo and 1 for a loss, 1 pass deflection and the overtime interception.

Up next, the Green Bay Packers travel to Soldier Field for a division matchup with the Chicago Bears. Kickoff is set for Sunday, October 17 at 1 p.m. EST.