Packers at Bengals: Picks, Spreads, Odds, and Predictions

Last week, the entire world picked the Bengals to beat the Steelers. This week, the masses are not as in love with the Bengals chances. Below are some of the picks of the national media for the game on Sunday.

Name	Pick	Score	Blurb
Elliot Harrison - NFL.com		34 - 20	I'm predicting the Cincinnati Bengals get it handed to them this week. While their 20-10 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers appeared to be a dominant victory, this Bengals team still hasn't put it all together. The offense was solid against the Bears in Week 1, but the club played sloppily overall in the loss at Chicago. Against the Steelers, Cincy's pass rush had to apply pressure, because there were plenty of receivers running free. Aaron Rodgers will challenge the Bengals early and often. Expect Packers coach Mike McCarthy to call an aggressive, up-tempo game. On the other side, Andy Dalton must make more plays downfield; he continues to miss some vertical plays. Most of the Bengals' big plays -- like those by Jermaine Gresham and Giovani Bernard on Monday night -- are coming on short passes; the deep completion to tight end Tyler Eifert was the result of blown coverage. An ability to throw accurately downfield is one thing we have yet to see from Dalton.
Don Banks - SI		24 - 20	I didn't even realize my two Super Bowl picks were meeting in Week 3, but here you go, an early preview of the matchup that will play through the prevailing wind, snow, ice and sub-zero temperatures at MetLife Stadium in early February. Well, we can dream, can't we? I would like to think the Bengals will defend their home turf all season, but I really didn't see much out of Cincy quarterback Andy Dalton Monday night against Pittsburgh. As for Aaron Rodgers, he will one day have a game in which the ball never touches the ground. Except for, you know, when it's being snapped to him.
Pete Prisco - CBS		27 - 24	The Bengals are coming off an impressive victory against the Steelers, but now must face a hot Aaron Rodgers. The Packers' line has had issues protecting Rodgers. That's not a good thing against the Bengals' defensive front. I see a turnover or two for Rodgers. Bengals take it.
Coley Harvey - ESPN		31 - 28	Of the quarterbacks Cincinnati has faced so far this season, Rodgers is most like Chicago's Jay Cutler. Like Cutler, less attention is paid to Rodgers' mobility than maybe should be. Because he can move the pocket, Rodgers legs are just as dangerous as his arm.
Rob Demovsky - ESPN		24 - 20	This is the Packers' third straight game against a 2012 playoff team, so they should be battle-tested for what is sure to be a physical game. This might be the best defense the Packers have played this season but the way Aaron Rodgers and his receivers are clicking, that shouldnt matter.
Greg Cote - Miami Herald		31 - 23	Cincy's defense dating to last season has not allowed a visitor more than 20 points in five straight home games. The thing is, Aaron Rodgers and that pass attack render trends like that moot. Packers generally score 20 before the national anthem ends. The Bengals are good, playoff good, but Andy Dalton is not cut out to outscore Mr. Rodgers, no matter the neighborhood.

Then there are the experts that pick the winners without a score projection or a writeup. Some of those are here:

Media Guy	Pick
Marcus Allen - ESPN
Mike Golic - ESPN
Merril Hoge - ESPN
Ron Jaworski - ESPN
Chris Mortensen - ESPN
Adam Schefter - ESPN
Mark Schlereth - ESPN
Tom Jackson - ESPN
Keyshawn Johnson - ESPN
Mike Ditka - ESPN
Chris Carter - ESPN
Jason La Canfora - CBS
Josh Katzowitz - CBS
Ryan Wilson - CBS

When I ran the simulation at WhatIfSports.com, the Bengals come up with a big win.

So I dig deep and I channel my inner Greg Gall and I think the Bengals play this game close in the first half. Then in the second half they open the offense and are able to pull out the W. 34 - 31 Bengals beat the Packers.

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