Green Bay sits atop the NFC North, nursing a sturdy 3-1 record and a quietly dominant defense. The offense is finding balance again, leaning into play-action and explosive deep throws even while injuries linger on the line.

Love’s big-play ability is back in focus, but the path to a sustained run involves dialing up the through-the-air attack on early downs and using play-action as the real engine. Injuries and a few close losses have fans overthinking, yet insiders see a ceiling that could carry the Packers deep in January.

Key injury notes loom: Zack Tom’s oblique pain, Jaden Reed’s fracture, and Javon Bullard’s stinger threaten but don’t derail a team that still believes in its core. Betting markets peg Green Bay as NFC contenders, with a clear blueprint: protect Love, cook in the play-action, and keep exploiting opponents’ defensive mismatches.

Packers edge Cincinnati 27-18, racking 409 yards to 268 and controlling the clock, but a lone Jordan Love turnover and a lack of negative plays kept the outcome from feeling more dominant. Josh Jacobs sparked the day with 150 yards from scrimmage and two touchdowns, while Matthew Golden delivered three huge catches that fueled the game-winning drive. Green Bay’s defense stalled in the second half and the special teams unit closed strong with Lucas Everisk going 5-for-5 on short notice. The win moves Green Bay to 3-1-1, but turnovers and second-half restraint remain the key questions as Arizona looms. Injuries to Bullard, Wixs and others add concern, while Jordan Morgan’s emergence at right guard provides a glimmer of stability along the line.

Fantasy angles hinge on sustained turnover creation and the balance of Green Bay’s offense. Golden’s breakout looks real, Love’s rushing legs add a floor, and Jacobs’ multi-faceted day is a reminder that even in a Packers win, the chessboard of production can swing on a handful of plays. The Packers must clean up the early mistake and pressure points in the second half to translate this into consistent fantasy upside come January.