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

A quick jump around the web to see who the media "experts" are picking to win the Sunday showdown with the Packers.

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

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

Whatif_medium

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.

Greggall_medium

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