Packers at Bengals score, takeaways: Mason Crosby hits game-winning FG as Green Bay outlasts Cincinnati in OT

Green Bay moves to 4-1 on the season while Cincinnati is now 3-2

Beginning at the the 2:14 mark in the fourth quarter, there were five missed field goals between the Cincinnati Bengals and Green Bay Packers. As those missed kicks helped force this Week 5 game into overtime, Mason Crosby was finally able to get a 49-yarder through the uprights and lift the Packers to a 25-22 victory at Paul Brown Stadium to move to 4-1 on the season. 

At various points, it looked like the Bengals were going to outlast the Packers. Joe Burrow and Co. got the ball to start overtime, but the quarterback immediately threw an interception to De'Vondre Campbell that set Green Bay up inside the Cincinnati territory. However, Crosby missed a 40-yard field goal just three plays later, keeping this game alive. The Bengals would eventually get the ball back and move 38 yards down the field before Evan McPherson lined up for a game-winning try of his own from 49 yards. That kick sailed left by just a few inches and the game continued. 

It was after McPherson's miss where Aaron Rodgers was able to move the ball down the field -- in part thanks to a clutch catch by Randall Cobb on third-and-16 -- that set up Crosby for redemption and the game-winner. 

Rodgers finished with 344 yards through the air, two touchdowns and an interception. As you'd expect, Davante Adams was his primary targets, hauling in 11 of his 16 targets for 206 yards and a touchdown. Meanwhile, Burrow completed 26 of his 38 throws for 281 yards, two touchdowns and two picks. Rookie Ja'Marr Chase was on the receiving end of six of Burrow's throws for 159 yards, which included a 70-yard touchdown. 

For a more in-depth look at Sunday's OT thriller, check out our main takeaways below. 

Why the Packers won

Green Bay made just enough plays to win the game. They didn't start this game out particularly hot, but got into a groove as the afternoon went on. After a first quarter where the offense was shutout and Rodgers threw an interception, the Packers would drop 16 points before halftime to take a two-point lead over the Bengals. At the start of the second half, Green Bay also displayed some solid complimentary football. After the defense forced an interception on Burrow on the first possession of the third quarter, the offense followed up by putting three points on the board. Once the defense forced a punt on their next possession, the offense was able to tack on another field goal to create a touchdown lead. 

While Crosby was unable to convert on three-straight field goal attempts (two in the fourth quarter and one in overtime), the offense was constantly putting itself in a position to win the game. That finally paid off on the game-winning kick, but Green Bay was routinely setting itself up to win for basically the final three minutes of regulation and in OT. It was only a matter of time before they broke through. 

Why the Bengals lost

Cincinnati had opportunities to win this game at various points, but just couldn't get over the hurdle. They started the game strong by applying a solid amount of pressure on Aaron Rodgers and even baited him into a first-quarter interception. But as the defense was forcing a turnover and two punts against the Packers offense to start the game, the offense couldn't fully capitalize. Joe Burrow and Samaje Perine were able to connect for the game's first touchdown with a minute to play in the first quarter, but prior to that began the game with two-straight three-and-outs. 

After holding Green Bay to a field goal midway through the third quarter, it looked like the Bengals were driving down the field to possibly take the lead. However, a holding penalty on lineman Quinton Spain erased a fourth-and-2 conversion executed by Burrow and forced the offense to punt the ball away. The Packers would go on to kick a field go on their ensuing drive to extend their lead to seven. While Cincy would, of course, respond with a touchdown to force OT, they left points on the board to possibly win this in regulation. 

The Bengals were also given the ball to start overtime and Burrow's first throw of the extra period was intercepted and should have ended the game right there had it not been for Crosby's struggles. 

Again, the Bengals played well, but when there were opportunities to stomp on Green Bay's neck and win the game, they were incapable of taking advantage. 

Turning point

There were many twists and turns in this game, but this catch by Randall Cobb in the midst of overtime was critical in the Packers win. After Green Bay was given new life following Evan McPherson's missed 49-yard field goal, Aaron Rodgers was able to push the ball down the field and was threatening to score, especially as he hit veteran tight end Marcedes Lewis on a 20-yard gain. However, Rodgers would be sacked for a five-yard loss two plays later, setting up a third-and-16 opportunity. On that play, the quarterback was able to connect with Randall Cobb, who went over the middle and secured the 15-yard reception, despite getting hit hard by safety Jessie Bates. While it wasn't enough to move the chains, it was enough for Crosby to hit a 49-yarder and win the game. 

Play of the game

With just a minute left in the first half, Aaron Rodgers completed a five-yard touchdown to Davante Adams. The score itself wasn't much to write home about. That said, the throw moved Rodgers into sole possession of No. 5 spot on the NFL's all-time touchdown leader with 422. Rodgers passed Hall of Fame quarterback Dan Marino (420) for sixth all-time last week and just passed former Chargers and Colts quarterback Philip Rivers (421). Now, Rodgers is looking up to just Brett Favre (508), Peyton Manning (539), Drew Brees (571) and Tom Brady (591). 

What's next

From here, the Packers will head to Chicago to face the Bears, who'll be fresh off a game against the Raiders. As for the Bengals, they'll go on the road to face the Lions. Detroit is heading into Week 6 after a last-second loss to the Minnesota Vikings. 

[Oct 10, 2021 at 4:19 pm ET · Tyler Sullivan]

Randall Cobb knew he was going to get hit on that catch. Really put his body on the line to keep the Packers alive. 

[Oct 10, 2021 at 4:15 pm ET · Tyler Sullivan]

There's no quit in this Bengals defense. 

[Oct 10, 2021 at 4:12 pm ET · Tyler Sullivan]

McPherson thought he made it .... 

[Oct 10, 2021 at 4:10 pm ET · Tyler Sullivan]

Fantastic catch by Chase for 21 yards to keep the chains moving for the Bengals. 

[Oct 10, 2021 at 4:07 pm ET · Tyler Sullivan]

All of Crosby's misses have gone wide left. 

[Oct 10, 2021 at 4:06 pm ET · Tyler Sullivan]

Crosby has the yips. If the Packers get the ball back in OT, I'm not even sure you trot him out again. Three straight missed field goals. 

[Oct 10, 2021 at 4:04 pm ET · Tyler Sullivan]

No idea who Joe Burrow was trying to throw it to there. I don't think he even saw Campbell, who picked him off and now has the Packers on the brink of winning this game.