Tex's Friday Preview: Week 2

Well, it's Friday, so that means I examine a few under-the-radar matchups that I think will determine the outcome of the upcoming game between the Packers and Bengals at noon on Sunday.

1. Cullen Jenkins vs. Bengals' O-Line

The big question this week is about Allen Barbre vs. Robert Geathers while the Pack has the ball. I think the more exciting matchup occurs on the other side of the ball. Jenkins made a triumphant return to the Packers' defensive line last week against the Bears, racking up a sack and 8 total tackles. He took up blockers and allowed the linebackers to flow to the ball, while driving those blockers into the backfield consistently. Look for Jenkins to be a disruptive force this Sunday against the Bengals' patchwork offensive line, with at least one sack and a few tackles for loss.

2. Packers' receivers after the catch

Mitchell pointed out the hole in the Bengals' secondary. The corners are decent in coverage, but their tackling skills will be put to the test against one of the more athletic receiving corps in the league. If Aaron Rodgers can get the ball in his receivers' hands in space on drag or slant routes, expect a lot of yards after the catch and potentially a long touchdown. And don't expect Donald Driver and Jordy Nelson to repeat their disappointing performance catching the ball against the Bears. Driver is too proud and too intense to allow himself to drop balls like those again.

Prediction: The 3-4 continues to pay dividends, and short routes by the wideouts turn into big gains for the Packers, who take the game handily, winning 27-13.