After thirty minutes of game time at Lambeau Field, the Green Bay Packers have dug themselves into an ugly hole against the Cincinnati Bengals, trailing 21-7 at the half. Aaron Rodgers threw an interception and was sacked five times in the first half.
The Packers’ defense struggled against a new-look Bengals offense under new offensive coordinator Bill Lazor. Cincinnati drove quickly down the field on the first drive of the game, scoring on a touchdown pass from Andy Dalton to A.J. Green. The Packers responded with a touchdown of their own, however, aided in part by a questionable pass interference call. On play-action from the one-yard line, Aaron Rodgers hit a wide-open Lance Kendricks to tie the game at seven.
However, the Bengals responded with another touchdown, as Dalton found Giovani Bernard wide open following a coverage breakdown by Packers safety Josh Jones. That six-yard score put the Bengals up 14-7 before Rodgers made a massive mistake. He stared down Jordy Nelson on an out route and threw off his back foot, but Bengals corner William Jackson jumped in front of Nelson and picked off the pass. Jackson then went 75 yards untouched up the sideline for a pick-six, only the second of Rodgers’ career. That put the Bengals up by two touchdowns at 21-7, where the score would remain until halftime.
The Packers will receive the opening kickoff of the second half