Ranking Bengals 2021 season schedule by opponent difficulty

Ranking Bengals Opponents by Difficulty

3. Green Bay Packers (Week 5)

As I mentioned earlier in the article, this ranking for the Packers could change depending on what happens with Aaron Rodgers. If he stays in Green Bay, then yes, they’re the third toughest team on Cincinnati’s schedule. If, however, he is traded or retires and heads to the Jeopardy! stage, then the Packers are no longer going to be feared.

This isn’t a knock on Jordan Love, but we haven’t seen the guy in an NFL game. Not having preseason games a year ago prevented him from getting any playing time in a Packers uniform and he was the third-string quarterback for the duration of the season.

If Rodgers stays with the Packers, this is a game that most Bengals fans are going to write in as a loss. It doesn’t matter that it’s at home or early in the year, Rodgers is the reigning MVP and the Packers defense is good enough to keep a lead for him (well — most of the time, that is).

Again, this ranking hinges on what happens with Rodgers. Bengals fans wouldn’t mind not having to see him on their 2021 schedule.