3 ways Joe Burrow can succeed vs. Packers in Week 5

The Cincinnati Bengals (3-1) have one of the most demanding games on their schedule this Sunday against the Green Bay Packers (3-1).  Joe Burrow will have to perform if the Bengals want to come out victorious. Here are three ways Burrow can accomplish that.

1. Attack the weaknesses of the secondary

The Packers’ best weapon in the secondary, Jaire Alexander, is expected to be out for this matchup, making it extremely important that the Bengals find the weaknesses and exploit those matchups.

Tee Higgins is on pace to return for the Bengals, which will give them more options on the outside and more for the Packers to cover and worry about. Burrow is tied for fourth in touchdown passes this season with nine even though the Bengals are yet to score a single point in the first quarter of any of their first four games.

I would expect the Packers to shift a lot of their focus onto Ja’Marr Chase because of how big of a weapon he is with the deep ball, which could open up many pass-catching opportunities for Tyler Boyd, C.J. Uzomah, Rookie Chris Evans, and Higgins.

On Sunday, the Bengals could be without Joe Mixon, making the passing game even more vital for Burrow and Cincinnati. If the Bengals can manage the clock and convert first downs by moving the ball down the field through the air, it will give them a real chance to come out victorious in this weekend matchup.

2. Stay aggressive and consistent all four quarter’s

The Cincinnati Bengals have yet to score a single point in the first quarter in any of their games this season. That won’t be possible on Sunday if the Bengals want to win this game.

The Packers have a plethora of weapons around the outside and in the backfield, and points will be scored. For the Bengals finding ways to put up consistent points in all four quarters will be vital.

Against the Packers, points will need to be scored at a large margin. Also, playing clean football and not turning over the football falls into that consistent standpoint. Therefore, the Bengals will need to play fluent football to win this game, and that starts with Joe Burrow leading the offense in the right way.

If Cincinnati gets sloppy and starts committing careless penalties and turning over the football, then bad things will happen. But, unfortunately, those are just things you can’t do against good football teams like Green Bay.

3. Keep the defense off balance by getting multiple receivers in rhythm

With Tee Higgins back in the mix this week, the Bengals will have their full trio on the field against a depleted Packers secondary. This means it will be essential to keep the defense off-balance by getting multiple receivers involved, forcing the Packers to take eyes off a player like Ja’Marr Chase, who can take the top off a defense if they’re not careful.

With Joe Mixon expected to be out, the Bengals will be pass-heavy. If the run game with Samaje Perine and Chris Evans can’t get going, it will make the offense a lot more one-dimensional, but the Packers’ weakness is the outside, so it still may benefit Cincinnati.

Keep an eye on rookie Chris Evans, though, in this game. Evans is a player the Packers probably won’t scheme for, so he will have an opportunity to show his ability as a pass-catcher.

Evans is capable of lining up in the slot, and he can catch passes out of the backfield, so don’t be shocked if they implement a few bubble or dump off screens with Evans, who can be a serious playmaker for the Bengals.

These are just a few keys for Burrow to succeed in what’s surely going to be his toughest game so far this season.