October is here, meaning spooky season is upon us. What do the Green Bay Packers and Cincinnati Bengals fear as they face each other at Paul Brown Stadium this week? Well, the Packers don’t want to get upset by an inferior AFC foe. Meanwhile, the Bengals don’t want to get embarrassed in front of their home crowd. Here are the NFL odds, viewing/listening information including TV channel and live stream, and a prediction for the Packers vs. Bengals Week 5 matchup.
Green Bay Packers vs. Cincinnati Bengals prediction and odds | Week 5
Odds from DraftKings sportsbook.
- Spread: Packers -3
- Moneyline: Packers -170, Bengals +150
- Over/Under: 48.5
The spread opened at Packers -6 but has since moved towards the Bengals. Yet, that movement likely does not include star running back Joe Mixon’s health, so his game status should be monitored. If anything, the number only makes it easier to take Green Bay’s side. Both squads are 3-1, but one yields much less confidence than the other — Who Dey!
Nevertheless, Cincinnati actually holds the series lead between these two storied franchises, 7-6. The Bengals won three in a row in 2005 (7), 2009 (7), and 2013 (4), winning by 3+ points in each outing. However, the Packers hold the most recent victory, defeating the Bengals 27-24 in overtime in 2017.
Those four games are the only times these two sides have met since the turn of the century. In them, the average final total was 51.25. Historically, the Bengals have played the Packers tight, and I think that remains the case on Sunday. While neither offense is at their peak form, points will be scored in Cincinnati. As a result, I lean the over in this one.
Packers vs. Bengals prediction
Although Aaron Rodgers has looked half of his 2020 MVP self — which is still better than most of the league — the Packers own an explosive offense and a formidable defense. With WR Marquez Valdes-Scantling on the injured reserve, Randall Cobb exploded for 5 receptions, 69 yards, and 2 touchdowns against the Steelers. Rodgers rekindled his long-lost connection with the 31-year-old wideout, a connection I expect to last for at least 2021.
The Packers are dealing with a couple of key injuries on the defense side of the ball. CB Jaire Alexander suffered a shoulder injury in Week 4 and is still undergoing tests to determine its severity. Head coach Matt LaFleur has not ruled out a “worst-case scenario” where Alexander misses an extended period of time. Additionally, Green Bay placed edge rusher Za’Darius Smith on IR with a back injury that required surgery.
Also, we can’t discount just how good Joe Burrow and the passing attack have been. He is third-best in completion rate (72.9%) and yards per attempt (9.2) among QBs with 50+ throws this season. A big reason for Burrow’s success is his LSU partner in crime Ja’Marr Chase. Chase leads all rookie WRs with 297 yards and 4 receiving TDs (2 less than all rookies combined, including all other offensive positions).
Ultimately, the Packers outlast the Bengals, earning their fourth straight win.
Prediction: Packers 31, Bengals 24
How to watch and listen to Packers vs. Bengals this week
- Start: 1:00 PM ET
- Channel: FOX
- Listen:
- TuneIn Radio
- Sirius XM Radio
- Live Streaming Options:
- Sling
- fuboTV
- Youtube TV
- Hulu + Live TV
- NFL Mobile App
- Peacock