Packers 2017 schedule release: Game-by-game predictions

Week 3: vs. Cincinnati Bengals

These teams have a pretty similar approach to roster-building, and that brings good and bad aspects for both.

Both rely heavily on the draft, with compensatory picks being a heavy piece of the plan. Neither likes to spend a ton in free agency either, and will allow even their own good players to leave if they don’t fall within their strict expectations on contract numbers.

This can lead to plenty of success (Green Bay has been to the playoffs every year since 2009; Cincinnati had a five year streak before 2016), but it can be quite frustrating to fans and can prevent a team from making the necessary moves to win in a given year.

We saw that last year in Cincinnati. For multiple years, they’ve allowed tons of talent to leave and haven’t made clear moves to replace them with similar-level players. Many of the players they have ponied up cash for haven’t panned out. Too many of their draft picks haven’t developed quickly enough to step the tide of their other roster decisions. When those players can’t step up, the margins for error become smaller; what were close wins become close losses, and the ceiling is capped for just how good they can be.

They’ve still made some of those mistakes this offseason, and I think that makes this season a threat to be another bad showing from them. An already bad offensive line lost its two best players (LT Andrew Whitworth and RG Kevin Zeitler) with no good replacements in place.

They spent big to keep CB Dre Kirkpatrick, who hasn’t been anything more than average in his career so far. Rather than go for top-level talent at spots like WR, OT, or DE (whether they eventually signed them or not), the Bengals instead bring back Brandon LaFell, Andre Smith and Wallace Gilberry. If not for picking up ILB Kevin Minter and letting Domata Peko go, there would be just about nothing positive for their offseason so far.

This team has given the Packers problems in the past, but those days might be over. The last time these teams played, Mike Zimmer was still running the defense; without him at the helm, that group has stepped backwards and lost their biggest asset (quality game-planning) when facing Aaron Rodgers.

Add that with the decaying overall roster, and this should be a handily won contest for the Packers.

Packers 28, Bengals 17 (2-1)