Most Memorable Moments in the Rivalry
The Packers and Bengals only meet once every four years. Their shared history includes a Hall of Famer who shaped both franchises, the birth of Brett Favre’s legend, and some of the wildest finishes in recent memory.
From Forrest Gregg’s coaching journey to the chaos of five missed field goals in 2021, this matchup often delivers the unexpected.
Their First Matchup (1971)
The Packers were led by quarterback Bart Starr, who threw for 234 yards and 2 touchdowns. The Bengals were led by quarterback Greg Cook, who threw for 212 yards and 1 touchdown.
The Packers took a 14-0 lead in the first quarter, but the Bengals rallied to tie the game at 14-14 at halftime. The Packers scored the go-ahead touchdown in the third quarter, and they held on for the win.
The Packers won the game 20-17.
The Forrest Gregg Connection
The strongest link between these franchises is Forrest Gregg. The Hall of Fame offensive tackle played 14 seasons for the Packers, winning five NFL championships, including two Super Bowls. Vince Lombardi called him “the best player I ever coached.”
After retiring, Gregg became a head coach. In 1980, he took over a Cincinnati team coming off a 4-12 season. He transformed them immediately. The Bengals went 12-4 in 1981 and reached their first Super Bowl. Gregg compiled a 32-25 record in four seasons with Cincinnati.
On December 24, 1983, Gregg made a surprising decision. He left the successful Bengals to return home as head coach of the Packers. His Green Bay tenure was less successful (25-37-1 from 1984-1987). A Packers legend built the foundation for Cincinnati’s best era.
Brett Favre’s Debut (September 20, 1992)
The Game That Started the Packers Resurgence
The most important game in series history happened on September 20, 1992, at Lambeau Field. The Packers were 0-2 under new coach Mike Holmgren. The Bengals were 2-0.
The game started with Don “The Majik Man” Majkowski at QB. In the first quarter, Majik suffered torn ankle ligaments on a sack by Tim Krumrie.
This was the moment when Brett Favre, a second-year 22-year-old backup from Southern Mississippi, stepped in. Acquired by Ron Wolf, the Packers GM, from the Atlanta Falcons for a first-round draft choice, was yet to prove himself in the NFL.
Favre’s first three quarters did not go very well. He fumbled four times. He botched snaps as the emergency holder on field goals, causing two misses. The Bengals led 17-3 entering the fourth quarter.
The game was filled with intense moments, including a 95-yard touchdown punt return by Bengal rookie Karl Pickens. However, the defining moment came when Favre connected with Kitrick Taylor for a game-winning touchdown pass.
In the 4th quarter, Favre led an 88-yard touchdown drive to cut the deficit to 20-17. After Cincinnati kicked another field goal, the Packers got the ball at their own 8-yard line with 1:07 left and no timeouts.
Favre scrambled and found receivers, including a deep ball to Sterling Sharpe, who broke his ribs on the play. With 13 seconds left from the Bengals’ 35-yard line, Favre pump-faked to freeze the safety and threw a perfect pass to Kitrick Taylor for the game-winning touchdown.
Green Bay won 24-23. The next week, Favre made his first career start, beginning a streak of 297 consecutive starts. That comeback against Cincinnati launched a new era of Packers football.
This marked Favre’s first win in the NFL, a significant milestone in his career and a memorable moment in the Packers vs Bengals history.
Favre’s Packers Debut – Video Highlights
Watch the game highlights on Youtube. Or watch the complete game-winning final drive.
The Impact of Favre’s First Win
Brett Favre’s first win was more than just a game victory; it was a turning point for the Packers. It marked the beginning of the Favre era in Green Bay, an era that would see the Packers become one of the most successful teams in the NFL. Favre’s performance in this game showed his potential and gave a glimpse of the greatness that was to come.
In the years that followed, Favre led the Packers to multiple playoff appearances and a Super Bowl victory. He became one of the most decorated players in the NFL, earning three consecutive MVP awards and setting numerous records. His first win against the Bengals was the start of this incredible journey.
The Fan on the Field (October 30, 2005)
Thirteen years later, Brett Favre faced the Bengals again at Paul Brown Stadium. This time, the story was different. Favre threw five interceptions, contributing to his league-leading 29 picks that season.
The game’s strangest moment came in the fourth quarter. With the Packers trailing 21-14 and trying to mount a comeback, a fan ran onto the field. He ran directly to the line of scrimmage and snatched the football out of Favre’s hands just before the snap. Security immediately tackled him, but the bizarre interruption killed any momentum Green Bay had.
Cincinnati won 21-14.
Bengals quarterback Carson Palmer threw for 237 yards and three touchdowns, while Packers quarterback Brett Favre threw for 236 yards and two touchdowns.
Packers at Bengals (September 20, 2009)
In a closely contested game, the Bengals lost to the Packers 31-24. The Bengals had a chance to tie the game in the fourth quarter but were denied by a Mason Crosby field goal.
Bengals quarterback Carson Palmer threw for 350 yards and two touchdowns. Packers QB Aaron Rodgers threw for 261 yards and two touchdowns.
The Fumble Return (September 22, 2013)
At Paul Brown Stadium, the Packers fell behind 14-0 before storming back to take a 30-14 lead. Cincinnati chipped away, and with the Packers clinging to a 30-27 lead late in the fourth quarter, they faced 4th-and-1 near midfield.
Rookie running back Jonathan Franklin was stopped short and fumbled. Bengals defender Terence Newman scooped it up and returned it 58 yards for a touchdown.
Cincinnati won 34-30 on the stunning turnover.
Andy Dalton threw for 235 yards and two touchdowns, while Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers threw for 244 yards and two touchdowns.
Rodgers’ First Win Against Cincinnati (September 24, 2017)
Aaron Rodgers had never beaten the Bengals entering this game at Lambeau Field. For most of the day, it looked like that streak would continue.
But Rodgers found Jordy Nelson for a touchdown with 17 seconds left to force overtime.
Facing 3rd-and-10 in OT, Rodgers escaped the pocket and launched a deep pass. Geronimo Allison hauled it in for a 72-yard gain, setting up Mason Crosby’s game-winning 27-yard field goal.
Green Bay won 27-24, giving Rodgers his first victory against Cincinnati.
The Game No One Could Win (October 10, 2021)
The 10-10-2021 meeting produced one of the wildest finishes in recent NFL history. Davante Adams caught 11 passes for a career-high 206 yards. Bengals rookie Ja’Marr Chase had 159 receiving yards. The game was tied 22-22 late in the fourth quarter.
What followed was almost unbelievable. Mason Crosby and Evan McPherson combined to miss five consecutive potential game-winning field goals:
- Crosby missed from 36 yards with 2:12 left in regulation
- McPherson missed from 57 yards with 26 seconds left
- Crosby missed from 51 yards as regulation expired
- McPherson missed from 49 yards in overtime (he celebrated thinking it was good before realizing it hooked wide)
- Crosby missed from 40 yards on Green Bay’s next possession
Finally, with under two minutes left in overtime, Matt LaFleur showed faith in his veteran kicker. Despite three straight misses, Crosby got another chance from 49 yards. This time, he made it. Green Bay won 25-22 in overtime.
Historic 5 Missed Field Goals
The game was notable for the number of missed field goals, which had never happened before in an NFL game. The previous record for most missed field goals in a game was four, which had been done twice.
The missed field goals were a major factor in the outcome of the game. If Crosby had made either of his two late field goals in regulation, the Packers would have won the game. And if McPherson had made his 57-yard field goal with 21 seconds left in regulation, the Bengals would have won the game.
Watch those back to back missed field goals, the most in NFL history:
The Craziest Field Goal Sequence in NFL History
Players and Coaches Who Served Both Teams
Coaches
Beyond Forrest Gregg, several coaches have worked for both organizations:
- Mark Duffner: Cincinnati’s defensive coordinator (2001-2002) before becoming Green Bay’s linebackers coach in 2003
- Jerry Montgomery: Coached Green Bay’s defensive line for nine seasons (2015-2024) before joining Cincinnati in the same role
- Matt LaFleur and Zac Taylor: The current head coaches worked together on the Rams’ offensive staff in 2017
Paul Brown Was Instrumental in Hiring Vince Lombardi
Paul Brown was a legendary football coach and executive who founded both the Cleveland Browns and the Cincinnati Bengals. He was also instrumental in hiring Vince Lombardi, the coach who led the Green Bay Packers to five NFL championships and two Super Bowls in the 1960s.
Notable Players
One of the the most prominent player to wear both uniforms is linebacker A.J. Hawk. Green Bay’s 2006 1st-round pick and the franchise’s all-time leading tackler played nine seasons with the Packers before the last season of his career in the league as a Bengal in 2015.
Other players who played for both teams include defensive tackle Mike Daniels (Packers 2012-2018, Bengals 2020-2021), running back Cedric Benson (Bengals 2008-2011, Packers 2012), and defensive tackle Tedarrell Slaton (Packers 2021-2024, currently with Cincinnati as of 2025).
