The Bengals traded for veteran Joe Flacco ahead of Sunday’s game against the Packers, and clearly believe that he is an upgrade over backup Jake Browning.
Cincinnati head coach Zac Taylor revealed Wednesday that the Bengals will start Flacco against the Packers, giving the 40-year-old the rare opportunity to beat a non-division rival twice, and to become the first quarterback to pull it off while playing for two different teams.
Emerging from the bye week, the Packers may have a big edge in a key matchup that could swing the outcome of Sunday’s contest.
Packers’ pass rush could feast vs. Bengals
Sep 21, 2025; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Green Bay Packers defensive end Rashan Gary (52) sacks Cleveland Browns quarterback Joe Flacco (15) during the second half at Huntington Bank Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images
Pro Football Focus suggests that the Packers’ pass rush against Cincinnati’s offensive line could be the matchup that decides Sunday’s game, and that has the potential to be excellent news for Green Bay, if that’s how Week 6 plays out.
“Death, taxes and the Bengals’ pass protection being bad,” Thomas Valentine writes for PFF. “Their 42.1% pressure rate allowed is the third-highest in the NFL through five weeks, and they’ve allowed 13 sacks, the second-most in the NFL. By contrast, the Bengals are taking on a Packers pass rush that’s fifth in pressure rate, third in pass-rush win rate and tied for the 11th-most sacks (14) in the league — a tough start for Joe Flacco behind the Bengals’ offensive line.”
While Flacco could prove to ultimately be an upgrade over Browning, the Bengals giving him the start against a Packers defense that held him to a season-low 142 yards with an interception certainly feels like a risk.
Given that Micah Parsons is likely significantly more healthy, and definitely more rested coming off the bye week, than he was back in Week 3, and Green Bay has the potential to dominate this game up front, and in Cincinnati’s backfield.
Cleveland Browns quarterback Joe Flacco (15) looks downfield for a receiver during the first half of an NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers at Huntington Bank Field, Sept. 21, 2025, in Cleveland, Ohio.
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