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With the Packers hurting at safety they have decided to sign 26-year old Matt Giordano. He played in all 16 games for the Colts last season and he made 23 tackles and defensed 1 pass. Giordano has played in 55 games in his 4-year NFL career in which he has made 80 tackles, defensed 8 passes and he has 3 interceptions (89 return yards, 1 TD). The Packers better get him up to speed quickly because they will need him this week against the Rams.
The Packers have cut 25-year old safety Aaron Rouse. The Packers are banking on no team claiming Rouse because he has a neck stinger but they are really taking a chance here. Rouse had 12 tackles for the Packers in the first two games of the season. He has played in 27 games in three seasons with the Packers in which he has made 90 tackles, defensed 7 passes and he had 4 interceptions (173 return yards and a TD). This was a shock.
UPDATE: The Giants have claimed Rouse off waivers from the Packers.
Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers (1-1) gave a great effort late in the 4th quarter against the Cincinnati Bengals (1-1), as they converted on a late field goal and then recovered an onside kick. Rodgers lead the Packers down field to the Bengals 10-yard line but a false start by receiver Greg Jennings with two seconds left ended the game with the Packers losing 24-31. Even though the Packers come-back came up short, Rodgers once again showed that he has what it takes to lead a comeback drive, something he struggled with last year.
The Packers pass protection is ultimately what lost them the game, as Rodgers was sacked six times. Five of those sacks came from Bengals’ defensive end Antwan Odom, a career high and team record for the six year veteran. Four of Odom’s sacks came after Packers’ left tackle Chad Clifton was carted off the field with an ankle injury, so his backups were obviously over-matched. Rodgers was hurried on countless occasions and ended the game with 261 yards with one touchdown on 21/39 (54%) attempts. He also rushed for 43 yards on four scrambles.
Bengals quarterback Carson Palmer still looks a little rusty, as he threw two interceptions. Both of them were picked by Packers cornerback Charles Woodson, who returned one of them 37 yards for a touchdown. Palmer did throw three touchdowns, including one to Chad Ochocinco who delivered on his “Lambeau Leap” promise. The Packers have a huge problem with their lack of pass protection and some adjustments are strongly needed in that area. The Packers take on the St. Louis Rams in St. Louis next week.
FINAL SCORE: Packers 24, Bengals 31
Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers was finally able to get himself a comeback victory, something he struggled with all year last season. The Packers offense didn’t look great against the Chicago Bears last week, but Rodgers and the offense did enough to get the victory with that 50 yard touchdown pass to Greg Jennings late in the 4th quarter.
The Cincinnati Bengals had a very unlucky loss last week against the Broncos, as they lost on a late 87-yard deflected touchdown pass. Quarterback Carson Palmer did not look very sharp, but the talented quarterback wont be as rusty this week. The Packers and their new 3-4 defense was outstanding against the Bears and will look to continue that dominance against the Bengals.
Although Rodgers and the Packers offense were able to come from behind and get the victory last week, they did not look very good throughout most of the game. This will allow the Bengals to challenge the Packers, as the defense wont be able to stop them for the entire game. The Packers defense will be very effective against the Bengals though, so I think the Packers will be able to pull away in the 4th quarter for the win.
FINAL SCORE PREDICTION: Packers 27, Bengals 17
2nd year WR Jordy Nelson didn’t catch any passes against the Bears last Sunday Night, but that doesn’t mean he wasn’t very busy. Nelson returned 4 kickoffs for 124 yards (31.0 avg) and 2 punts for 14 yards (7.0 avg) against the Bears. With James Jones back healthy it appears that Nelson is 4th in line at WR for the Packers. He did have a solid rookie season last year catching 33 passes for 366 yards (11.1 avg) with 2 TD grabs. Nelson will be ready when the Packers need him at WR but the best thing for the team right now is for him to concentrate on returning kicks and punts.