3 players Packers must shut down vs. Bengals in Week 5

This Sunday at Paul Brown Stadium, the Green Bay Packers head into a matchup with the Cincinnati Bengals. The two teams haven’t played each other since 2017, a matchup where the Packers came out on top in overtime with a score of 27-24.

The Bengals have the all-time advantage over our favorite green and gold football team, having a 7-6 record against the Packers – with the first matchup between the two teams occurring in 1971.

The Bengals are 3-1 headed into Sunday’s game and boast an explosive offense despite not having the stats data to back it up. The team also has a great defense and has only given up 75 points through four games – which is the eighth least in the league.

Cincinnati’s 3-1 record is also due to the 11 sacks they’ve recorded this season, which is ninth best in the league. Despite being a very young team (average age of 25.6), this is not a team the Packers should underestimate.

Here are three Bengals players that the Packers need to shut down in Week 5 to ensure a victory.

1. WR Ja’Marr Chase

Remember all of those premature, awful takes about LSU standout Ja’Marr Chase being a bust?

Chase has completely flipped his narrative, and is 16th in the league in receiving yards – the highest among rookies. Chase also has a catch percentage of 68%, which is similar to superstar receivers like our own Davante Adams and DeAndre Hopkins.

With CB1 Jaire Alexander out for an unknown amount of time, the Packers will most likely struggle with Chase. If Eric Stokes moves to Jaire’s starting slot, I could see him shadowing Chase due to his raw speed and ability to keep up with Chase’s fantastic route running skills.

It’s also important to note that Stokes had some coverage snaps against Chase in a Georgia vs. LSU game in 2019, a game where Stokes only gave up one catch to Chase.

2. LB Logan Wilson

Logan Wilson is starting to become a household name in the NFL. Wilson showed a ton of raw potential last year in his rookie year with the Bengals, but has cashed in on it this year and made himself a top-10 linebacker in football this season – backed by a 76.8 Pro Football Focus grade.

Wilson’s coverage abilities have been good, and sometimes even great. The former Wyoming Cowboy has even managed to snatch three interceptions – which is the second most in the league.

The team is also led in tackles by Wilson, which is standard for a LB, but he has a15 combined tackle lead on the second-ranked man, Germaine Pratt.

3. DE Trey Hendrickson

Those takes about Trey Hendrickson “not living up to his hype” look real bad right now as well.

Hendrickson’s follow up year to his breakout season last year is off to a great start – something the Packers offensive line has to take note of. Despite only having 2.5 sacks (second on the team), Hendrickson is tied for fourth in the league in QB pressures.

The Pack’s offensive line has been up and down this season, giving up a total of nine sacks through four games. If they can find a way to contain Hendrickson, I think the Bengals pass rush should be a non-issue for the team.