Bengals vs Green Bay Packers: Player Stats & Rising Stars

As we head into the 2026 NFL offseason, the matchup between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Green Bay Packers remains one of the most intriguing cross-conference rivalries in football. In their most recent regular-season clash on October 12, 2025, the Packers secured a commanding 27-18 victory at Lambeau Field, fueled by a breakout 150-yard performance from Josh Jacobs and the steady hand of Jordan Love. While the Bengals struggled with injuries to superstar Joe Burrow, the emergence of young talents like Chase Brown and Edgerrin Cooper has set the stage for a high-stakes future. This article breaks down the latest player statistics, rising stars, and the shifting dynamics of these two iconic franchises as they prepare for the 2026 campaign.

The 2025 Lambeau Showdown: A Recap of the Action

The October 2025 meeting was a tale of two trajectories. The Green Bay Packers entered the game looking to solidify their standing in a hyper-competitive NFC North, while the Cincinnati Bengals were navigating a difficult season hampered by Joe Burrow’s lingering turf toe injury.

With veteran Joe Flacco under center for Cincinnati, the Bengals’ offense showed flashes of brilliance, particularly through Ja’Marr Chase, who hauled in 10 receptions for 94 yards and a touchdown. However, they were ultimately outmuscled by a Green Bay defense that had been revitalized by the blockbuster mid-season acquisition of Micah Parsons.

The Packers’ offense was surgically efficient. Jordan Love completed 19 of 26 passes, avoiding the “hero ball” mistakes that plagued his early career and instead leaning on a diverse receiving corps. The real star, however, was Josh Jacobs, whose two rushing touchdowns in the fourth quarter effectively iced the game for the Pack.

Key Game Stats (Oct 12, 2025)

• Final Score: Packers 27, Bengals 18
• Total Yards: Packers 409, Bengals 268
• Time of Possession: Packers 32:44, Bengals 27:16
• Turnovers: Packers 1, Bengals 0

Quarterback Duel: The Resurgence vs. The Recovery

Jordan Love’s Ascension to Elite Status

By the end of the 2025 season, Jordan Love silenced any remaining doubters. Finishing the year with a PFF passing grade of 88.8, Love ranked as one of the top five quarterbacks in the league. His ability to attack outside the numbers and dismantle man coverage (ranking 1st in the NFL in both categories) has made him the legitimate heir to the Rodgers/Favre throne.

In the matchup against Cincinnati, Love’s poise was evident. He didn’t force the ball into tight windows, instead finding Tucker Kraft and Jayden Reed for crucial third-down conversions. For Green Bay fans, the “Love Era” is no longer a projection—it is a reality.

Joe Burrow and the Injury Bug

For Cincinnati, the story of 2025 was “what could have been.” Joe Burrow played only a fraction of the season before being sidelined. When he was on the field, his efficiency remained historic; his 0.7% turnover-worthy play rate was the lowest in PFF history for a passer with over 250 dropbacks.

The Bengals’ 6-11 finish in 2025 was less a reflection of their talent and more a result of their luck. With Burrow expected to be 100% for the 2026 training camp, the rivalry with Green Bay (and the rest of the league) is expected to reignite with a vengeance.

Rising Stars in the Queen City (Bengals)

While the 2025 win-loss column was disappointing for Cincinnati, the development of their “next generation” of talent provides plenty of optimism.

1. Chase Brown (Running Back)

After the departure of Joe Mixon, many wondered if the Bengals’ backfield would lose its identity. Chase Brown answered those questions in 2025, recording over 1,000 rushing yards and proving to be a dual-threat weapon in the passing game. His explosive speed complements the vertical threat of Chase and Higgins, giving the Bengals a balanced attack they haven’t had in years.

2. Myles Murphy (Defensive End)

The 2025 season was a “prove-it” year for the former first-round pick. Following the retirement of Sam Hubbard, Murphy saw his snap count skyrocket. While his sack numbers (5.5) were modest, his QB pressure rate ranked in the top 20 of all edge rushers. As he enters 2026, he is the undisputed cornerstone of the Bengals’ defensive line.

3. DJ Turner II (Cornerback)

In a division with Lamar Jackson and Deshaun Watson, secondary play is vital. Turner took a massive leap in his third year, becoming a “shutdown” presence on the perimeter. His ability to mirror elite receivers like Green Bay’s Christian Watson was one of the few bright spots for the Bengals’ defense in their 2025 meeting.

The New Era in Title Town (Packers)

Green Bay’s roster is currently one of the youngest and most athletic in the NFL, and their “Rising Stars” are already playing like established veterans.

1. Edgerrin Cooper (Linebacker)

Cooper has quickly become the heart of the Packers’ defense. A sideline-to-sideline playmaker, he led the team in tackles in 2025 and provided a much-needed spark in the run-and-chase game. His performance against the Bengals, where he neutralized the intermediate passing game, showcased his All-Pro potential.

2. Jayden Reed (Wide Receiver)

If Ja’Marr Chase is the “Alpha” in Cincinnati, Jayden Reed is the “Swiss Army Knife” in Green Bay. Reed’s versatility in the slot and as a gadget runner makes him a nightmare for defensive coordinators. In 2025, he established himself as Jordan Love’s most reliable target in high-leverage situations.

3. Lukas Van Ness (Defensive End)

“Hercules” finally found his footing in 2025. With Micah Parsons drawing double-teams on nearly every snap, Van Ness enjoyed a breakout year with 9.5 sacks. His physical growth and refined hand technique have turned him from a “raw prospect” into a consistent game-wrecker.

Head-to-Head History: A Balanced Rivalry

Historically, the Bengals and Packers have played one of the most balanced series in NFL history. Following their 2025 encounter, the all-time series record stands at 9-7 in favor of the Packers.

The rivalry is famous for its “weird” finishes, including the infamous 2021 game where both teams combined for five missed field goals in the final minutes of regulation and overtime. The 2025 game was less chaotic but equally physical, proving that even without the “divisional rival” label, these two teams play each other with playoff-level intensity.

Recent Player Statistics (2025 Full Season)

To understand the current standing of these rosters, we must look at the comprehensive data from the 2025 season.

Quarterback Comparison

Offensive Weapons

The Micah Parsons Impact: A 2026 Perspective

One cannot discuss the current Packers-Bengals dynamic without mentioning the earthquake that hit the NFL in late 2025: the trade of Micah Parsons to Green Bay. In exchange for defensive tackle Kenny Clark and a haul of draft picks, the Packers landed the most feared defender in football.

Since arriving in Green Bay, Parsons has transitioned into a hybrid role that allows him to rush the passer and drop into coverage—something the Bengals found impossible to account for during their October meeting. For Cincinnati, the challenge in 2026 will be upgrading their offensive line (specifically the right tackle position) to ensure that a healthy Joe Burrow isn’t constantly under siege by the Parsons-Van Ness duo.

Looking Ahead: The 2026 Outlook

As both teams head into the draft and free agency, their priorities are clear:

• Cincinnati Bengals: The mission is “Protect Joe.” Expect the Bengals to be aggressive in the first round of the 2026 Draft, targeting elite tackle prospects. Additionally, with Tee Higgins potentially hitting free agency, the search for a consistent WR2 to complement Ja’Marr Chase is paramount.
• Green Bay Packers: For the Packers, it’s about retention. After the Parsons trade, their cap space is tighter than usual. They need to find value in the middle rounds of the draft to bolster their safety depth and interior offensive line.

The 2026 season could very well see these two teams meet again in a late-season “Game of the Week” or even a cross-conference Super Bowl preview. With two of the best young quarterbacks in the game and a supporting cast of rising superstars, Bengals vs. Packers is a matchup that represents the very best of the modern NFL.