I wrote this as a post in the official gameday thread, but put this quick look at the Bengals here for reference if anyone is interested

While I expect the Packers to beat the Bengals especially at home - they are a superior team - I think it is a mistake to dismiss the Bengals as some weak team.

Offensively they have:

A talented QB in Carson Palmer, who has the ability to light it up if hot - a QB that has the ability throw for 4,000 yards and 25-plus touchdown passes if healthy

A TALTENTED WR corps. Chad Ochocinco, a premier talent seems to have rededicated himself and is the best shape of his life; Laveranues Coles is coming off of a 70 catches for 850 yards and seven TD season, and 6-4 speedster Chris Henry is a talent that should never be underestimated.

At RB Cedric Benson, was once a top 5 pick and seems to have tamed some of his demons and found a home in this offense. I also remember quite a few guys being quite high on his backup Brian Leonard. When mixed with the above receiving corps this can be a productive duo if they get it going.

They have been ravaged with injuries at TE - losing Reggie Kelly for the season and Ben Utecht to concussions during training camp...

The Bengals offensive line is a vulnerablity (esp given their injuries) and are the biggest weakness that the Dom Capers led defense should be able to exploit

Defensively:

The front 4 of Robert Geathers, Domata Peko, Tank Johnson and Antwan Odom is not without talent and Third-round pick Michael Johnson (Georgia Tech) and Frostee Rucker, who made four starts at right end last year rotate in to provide depth. Pat Sims helps keep it fresh with the rotation of defensive tackles.

They have a talented Linebacking corp with 2nd-round pick Rey Maualuga out of USC reuniting with college teammate Keith Rivers, the club's 2008 1st- round pick, who made 50 tackles and grabbed one interception in seven games before missing the rest of the year due to a fractured jaw. Dhani Jones is a veteran MLB who led the club with 165 tackles to go along with nine passes defensed. Rashad Jeanty (97 tackles) has talent as a backup, as does Brandon Johnson, who returns to a backup role after replacing Rivers in the starting lineup last year and racking up 112 tackles last season. On an interesting note - the backup MLB is Abdul Hodge.

The corners are manned by former first round picks Johnathan Joseph and Leon Hall. Geoffrey Pope and David Jones are the top back ups. The safeties hit like ogres, fortunately for the Packers strong safety Roy Williams runs like one too. However, the Packers were not exactly super successful exploiting his lack of speed when he was with Dallas and veteran Chris Crocker mans the FS spot.

Again, I am expecting the Packers to defend the house and beat down the Bengals, but I think players and fans would be making a mistake to disrespect this team that is not without talent.

I totally agree. To "blow off" another NFL team is simply dumb. I still remember how certain everyone was that the Packers would beat the Giants in Lambeau in wintry conditions and advance to the SB. Didn't happen. The last time the Packers faced the Bengals, it was a Packer loss (though Al Harris beat CJ to a pulp- and Marvin Lewis made him give up that stupid "Cornerback I'm going to beat this week" list. Harris was not amused, and CJ paid for it on the field. Yes, he caught some passes, but got up slowly, grimacing every time.

However, while extolling the supposed virtues of the Bengals, don't forget the strengths of the Packers.

-A swarming, hard hitting defense

-Possibly the best QB/WR combination in the league

-A decent running game (Grant didn't gain many yards, but he ran really hard)

If the Packers OL can get its act together, the offense could definitely be dominant. Now, the Packers DB's need to be more aware- including the safeties. The Bears got too many long passes last week because of improper secondary coverage- especially by Woodson and Collins. Solvable problems, hopefully.

I think it is foolhearty to dismiss ANY team in the league. If you are complacent with teams like this that have talent but also have other issues they can come home to roost and become a nightmare. I'm hoping because we weren't very stellar on offense last Sunday night that we won't be overlooking anything this afternoon!

I read that the Cincy defense has only given up 31 points in their last 4 regular season games. Pretty stingy.

Lots of overlooking seemed to take place leading up to this game.

And I think this kind of thinking contributed to yesterday's disappointment. No one will admit it but the Packers didn't come to play yesterday. But we aren't the only fans unhappy today. I'm sure there are plenty of fans in NE frowning big time just like we are.

A lot of places, to be honest. A very odd week where over half of the "favorites" going into the game lost. I mean, not many people saw the Jets beating NE, or Pitt losing to Chicago, or Houston not only beating Tennesse but putting up 34 points. Philly made Carolina look like an 0-16 team, just to be stomped by NO the next week. Washingon at least put up a fight against the Giants, yet could only muster 3 field goals against the Rams?

Everyone just needs to sit back, relax, and realize that it is only week 2 of the season, and that the problems that we are having are the same most other teams are having, too. Over half the league is sitting at home, scratching their head, wondering "What the hell just happened?" Lets wait until at least after the bye before we start thinking about passing judgment on this team. GB will be fine, IMO.

I believe the Bengals are an okay team, the Packers made them look like a good team.

2nd game of the season and you dont come ready to play? I hope that is not the case but if it is MaCarthy's seat should be HOT. I understand its hard for teams to get up for 16 weeks, but WEEK 2. That to me is a sign of poorly coached team with no leadership ......if in week 2 AT HOME you dont come to play the problems are deeper that Safety depth and the OL

Watching the Bengals Kill da bears today made me think of this warning. Suddenly, all of the sky is falling fans who were peeling off of the bandwagon are tempted to crawl back on

The Pack is now 4 - 2 with an opportunity to earn revenge in the Vikes and move within a half game if they take care of business at Lambeau next week.

Big week coming up - I am very much looking forward to it.

OK- I'm not sure exactly where you're your going with this thread. Quite honestly, I'm a bit confused. Now, as a caveat, I am suffering from a horrible head cold, and am on many prescriptions meds to get rid of this crud, so my acuity is less that acute. Still, a warning about the Bengals (which I agreed with), and ending with fans jumping off the bandwagon and and trying to crawl back on?

I don't get it. Please explain, and use small words- my mushy mind can't take big words right now.

Thanks.

I think he is saying that people were pissed the we lost to the "lowly Bengals" at first. However, people that jumped ship are starting to slowly come back, now, realizing that the Bengals loss might not be as bad as first perceived.

In short, the Bengals are rock solid and will be in the mix come playoff time. They could win their division instead of Pitt or Baltimore.

Yes the Bengals are a good football team, but I would like Packers to beat them especially at Lambeau Field.

I guess I expected the Packers to be be in the top 10 of the league this year. Green Bay should be improving with the amount of years this staff has had.