Packers vs Bengals Preseason Picks and Predictions: Cincinnati's Quarterback Depth Looms Large

Following a heated joint practice this week, the Cincinnati Bengals and Green Bay Packers will kick off their preseason at Paycor Stadium on Friday night as the visiting Packers enter as a 4.5-point favorite with a low total of 35.

With the high spread and low O/U, should bettors be taking the points Friday night with a Bengals team that might have the better quarterback depth for all four quarters?

Find out in my free NFL preseason picks and predictions for Packers vs. Bengals on August 11. 

Packers vs Bengals odds

Packers vs Bengals predictions

Jordan Love and the starters might get a couple of series for the Green Bay Packers, but these preseason games are won or lost late. In this case, I’m happy to take the points with the Cincinnati Bengals.

The backup quarterback job is wide open for Cincy, meaning Trevor Siemian and Jake Browning will see plenty of action in this one. Both these QBs have been splitting reps with the starters this week while Joe Burrow sits out.

Zac Taylor said a high number of his starters won’t play on Friday, which is likely why bettors saw the move from -2.5 to -4.5. Meanwhile, Matt LaFleur hasn’t been open about his starters getting a lot of time, nor has he even confirmed that Love will ever start in this contest. 

Remove Love, and the Packers' QB options include rookie fifth-rounder Sean Clifford and USFL MVP Alex McGough. The latter has never attempted an NFL pass and has been waived/released five times since 2018. 

It's also important to note that the Bengals' defense owned the Green Bay starters at joint practice this week. As a +4.5 backer, I like that mentality to continue on Friday night. 

My best bet: Bengals +4.5 (-110 at bet365)

Packers vs Bengals spread and Over/Under analysis

The Packers sat as a -1.5 favorite as of last Thursday and moved from -2.5 to -4.5 on Tuesday. The total opened at a low 32.5 but has since been bet up to 35, with that move coming earlier this week.

As with betting on preseason NFL football, information is key. Sadly, there isn’t a lot when it comes to the quarterback rotation and how much run the first-teamers will get. Both coaches have been tight-lipped as of Thursday afternoon regarding their QB blueprint, and my best guess as to why the Packers steamed to -4.5 is likely on the speculation of Matt LaFleur giving his starters — including Love — some snaps on Friday.

“Our plans are not totally solidified,” LaFleur told the media on Wednesday. “There’s a pretty good chance they [the starters and Love] are out there in some capacity.”

That’s a little more clear than Zac Taylor’s message. 

“A high number of starters won’t play” Friday Zac Taylor on his Bengals vs. Packers pic.twitter.com/lcGJb4OLhl

— Mike Petraglia (@Trags) August 9, 2023

Bettors should also know that both of these teams had some spirited joint practices this week that resulted in a pair of fights. The coaches likely had better evaluations of the practices than they will in the first preseason game of the season.

With Burrow on the sideline, it has been Siemian and Browning getting the first-team reps at practice which, if this game follows initial preseason games, means those two could see the first half while Reid Sinnett operates out of the pocket for the entire third and fourth quarter. 

Siemian has 30 NFL starts to his name and threw three touchdowns on 36 passes in the preseason last year with no picks. Browning played in all three preseason games for the Bengals last year and threw for 422 yards, one TD, and zero interceptions. He’s comfortable in this system and could close out the second half.

Sinnett was released by the Dolphins last year and played one game in the XFL in 2022 before breaking his foot. He completed 25 of 28 passes for 254 yards and two TDs in the preseason last year.

It’s certainly not the worst trio of QBs to ride as a +4.5 dog.

Green Bay won’t give Love much of a leash, and the only other QBs on the 90-man roster are Clifford and McGough — not household names by any means unless you’re a USFL fan. Even if Love does get a series or two, this game will be decided in the second half and I prefer the depth and preseason experience that the Bengals possess.

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