The Cincinnati Bengals made a major move by acquiring veteran quarterback Joe Flacco from the Cleveland Browns. The Bengals are benching Jake Browning, who had been starting since Joe Burrow went out with an injury.
The Packers will be taking on Flacco for the second time this season, as they played against him when he was with the Browns. In that game, Flacco and the Browns had an upset win over Green Bay in Week 3.
The Packers will look to avoid a second upset against Flacco. Defensive Coordinator Jeff Hafley will have to adjust his game plan from preparing to face Browning to Flacco.
Flacco was not impressive in his four games with the Browns, completing 58.1 percent of his passes for 815 yards, two touchdowns, and six interceptions.
In Week 3 against the Packers, he completed 58.3 percent of his passes for 142 yards, zero touchdowns, and an interception. While it wasn't a great performance, Flacco made the big plays when it mattered most, leading Cleveland to the win.
The 40-year-old quarterback now enters a more favorable situation with the Bengals, where there's more talent around him. He will be throwing to star wide receivers Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, which is a major upgrade over the Browns' receiving core.
Chase and Higgins could be major problems for a Packers secondary that struggled mightily against the Dallas Cowboys without CeeDee Lamb in Week 4.
However, Green Bay's pass rush could be the difference maker in this game. The Packers have a talented front led by Micah Parsons and Rashan Gary. Parsons has been a difference maker for Green Bay, with 2.5 sacks. More importantly, he has opened up opportunities for the rest of the defensive line to shine.
Gary is having a breakout season, as he has 4.5 sacks through four games. Lukas Van Ness and Devonte Wyatt have also benefited, but Wyatt will likely miss Week 6, as he hasn't been practicing due to a knee injury.
Even without Wyatt, the Packers' pass rush should get to Flacco. The weakness of the Bengals' offense is their offensive line, which has given up 15 sacks this season.
Green Bay can't afford another upset loss if they want to get back on track to being Super Bowl contenders.