The Green Bay Packers moved to 3-1-1 with a 27-18 win over the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 6.
The Packers were up 10-0 at halftime and then had a 24-10 lead with just over seven minutes left in the game.
Joe Flacco connected with Ja’Marr Chase on a 19-yard touchdown, and the Bengals scored a two-point conversion to get within six.
Ultimately, a Lucas Havrisik field goal sealed the win for Green Bay, although it was a bit too close for comfort.
After Week 6 ended, the Packers moved up from No. 8 to No. 6 in the ESPN Power Rankings, although it came with a warning in the “lesson learned” section.
“Lesson Learned: Green Bay is playing with fire,” ESPN’s Rob Demovsky wrote.
Packers’ Close Wins Are a Cause For Concern
For starters, the Packers have held a double-digit lead in every game this season, and they are the only team in the NFL to do so.
The Packers defeated the Detroit Lions in Week 1, 27-13, and followed it up with a 27-18 win over the Washington Commanders on “Thursday Night Football.”
Green Bay lost to the Cleveland Browns, 13-10, in a surprising result and then tied with the Dallas Cowboys, 40-40, in a thrilling Week 4 clash.
So, while the Packers holding a lead is a common trend, the last three weeks have been a cause for concern, as Demovsky writes.
“But in the past three games, those leads were not safe. They blew a 10-0 advantage in a 13-10 loss to the Browns. They were up 13-0 against the Cowboys but came away with a 40-40 tie. And in the latest game, they saw a 14-point second-half lead cut to six points against the Bengals. They’ve established a dangerous way to live.”
In the Cowboys tie, the Packers had a 13-0 lead at the start of the second quarter, but the Cowboys came roaring back with 16 second-quarter points and another 21 in the second half.
Against the Browns, the Packers took a 10-0 shutout into the fourth quarter. Then, the Browns scored 13 points in the final three minutes in an unreal collapse.
Jordan Love Aims to Put Teams Away Early
Stacy Revere/Getty ImagesJordan Love very nearly cost the Packers a tie on Sunday night.
On one hand, blowing leads is not an encouraging trend. On the other hand, the Packers have been able to win games and have just one loss so far this year.
Still, Packers quarterback Jordan Love wants to put teams away early.
“That’s something we gotta find ways to keep capitalizing on,” Love said via Demovsky. “It’s 10-0, we gotta find ways to put teams away early, and not even make it a close game at the end.”
In the win over the Bengals, Love threw for 259 yards with a touchdown and an interception, which came on the first drive of the game in Bengals territory.
Josh Jacobs ran wild with 93 yards and two scores on 18 carries, and rookie wide receiver Matthew Golden caught three passes for 86 yards.
All in all, the Packers can’t keep blowing leads, especially with Super Bowl aspirations swirling around the franchise this season.
Packers ‘Playing With Fire’ Despite Week 6 Win Over Bengals