Palmer returns for Cincy - Inside the game from BetJamaica

[Dr. Jack]

Palmer returns for Cincy


Carson Palmer will make his preseason debut tonight when the Cincinnati Bengals play host to the Green Bay Packers on Monday Night Football. The quarterback, who is coming off a major knee injury, has been confirmed as the Bengals' starter versus the Packers, and the team will be keenly interested in their franchise player's performance.

Although Palmer likely won't see too much action in the game, the fact that he'll be taking the field at all is very welcome news for Cincinnati. The devastating knee injury that knocked Palmer out of the Bengals' playoff game against the Steelers last season had required extensive rehabilitation, and his status for Week 1 of the regular season has been in question all summer. A strong effort Monday could put him back on track.

Oddsmakers and bettors have been encouraged by the Palmer news as well. The Bengals opened as 3.5-point home favorites versus the Packers, but that line had moved to Cincinnati -5.5 at most books by the end of the week. More offense is expected in the game too - the opening total of 37 has since been boosted to 41 points.

However, the Bengals have been cruising through their exhibition schedule without their starting quarterback on the field. Cincinnati kicked off their preseason with a 19-3 win at home over the Washington Redskins, then ran wild last week in a 44-31 road victory over the Buffalo Bills. That puts the Bengals at a perfect 2-0 heading into Monday night.

Both Anthony Wright and Doug Johnson have played pretty well in the pocket in Palmer's absence. Wright, who has the inside track on the backup QB job, went 9-of-16 for 101 yards and a TD against Washington, and 9-of-19 for 99 yards and a score against Buffalo. Johnson has been a bit better, completing 11-of-14 pass attempts for 128 yards and a score against Washington, and 8-of-14 passes for 133 yards and a score against Buffalo. Palmer's return will cut into the playing time for both of the QBs.

On the other side of the ball the Packers are also expected to get a key offensive contributor back on the field on Monday night. Running back Ahman Green has been recovering from a torn quadriceps, and he was listed as a game-time decision last week against the Atlanta Falcons. Green eventually sat out that contest, but is expected to start against Cincinnati on Monday night. It's unlikely that the running back will get more than a dozen carries in the game, however, as he continues to work himself into shape.

The Packers started their preseason schedule with a weak 17-3 loss to the San Diego Chargers, but bounced back last week with a 38-10 thrashing of the Falcons. Starting QB Brett Favre went 5-of-10 for 66 yards (and no touchdowns) against the Chargers, but then completed 16-of-22 pass attempts for 134 yards and two scores versus Atlanta. Najeh Davenport and Bubba Franks caught TD passes from Favre in that win.

Favre, then, looks to be ready for the regular season - and he'll be hoping that the solid performance put forth by the offensive line against Atlanta wasn't a fluke. Young backup QB Aaron Rodgers has also had success during the exhibition schedule. Rogers went 9-of-11 for 124 yards and an interception against San Diego, then was good on 3-of-6 pass attempts for an impressive 111 yards and two touchdowns in the rout over Atlanta.

After playing on Monday night both the Packers and the Bengals will have just three days off before their preseason finales on Friday. Green Bay plays host to the Tennessee Titans in their final exhibition contest, while the Bengals close out their preseason schedule on the road against the Indianapolis Colts. Week 1 of the NFL's regular season schedule features Cincinnati at Kansas City and Chicago at Green Bay.

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