The Packers' passing game ranked third in the NFL last season, but it was the running game that gave Green Bay its first preseason victory, beating the Bengals 27-13 Thursday night.
The Packers ran for 183 yards -- 4.6 per carry -- against the Bengals. Even QB Aaron Rodgers showed off his legs, rushing six times for 52 yards and two scores. Undrafted rookie RB Marc Tyler (UCLA) played the entire second half, enduring multiple hard hits for 45 yards on 12 carries.
But most impressive was the play of the one player from whom the Packers had no idea what to expect: Cedric Benson, the veteran RB signed as a free agent less than two weeks ago.
Benson, who rushed for more than 1,000 yards each of the past three seasons in Cincinnati, was playing his first game for Green Bay. He was excited for the opportunity with his new team and motivated to go against his old one, saying this week he hoped to rush for 100 yards. He didn't have that big of a night, but with limited carries in a pass-first offense, Benson sparkled.
He ran six times for 38 yards (6.3 ypc) and caught a pass for 10 yards. Benson was exactly what the Packers were hoping he could be, and probably more. He looked quick, strong and vigorous, making nimble cuts and exploding into holes. When he was on the field, he forced the Bengals to respect the run, and when they didn’t, he punished them with rushes of 8, 9, 11 and 8 yards on single-back carries.
“Cedric Benson looked very natural,” coach Mike McCarthy said. “He’s an instinctive, powerful player. He got off to a good start.”
He was also solid when he wasn't carrying the ball. On one play, he picked up a blitzing linebacker and stonewalled him at the line of scrimmage. On the game's second series, Rodgers faked the handoff to Benson and seven Bengals bit hard on it. Rogers missed an open Jordy Nelson deep.
After the game, Rodgers had nothing but good things to say about his newest backfield partner. “He was great,” Rodgers said. “He made some runs out of nothing. He’s still learning the offense … we’re excited about him.”
With more than 1,500 carries on his 29-year-old legs, it's to know how much Benson’s got left. Maybe he was just fresh from the time off and missing the first weeks of training camp, maybe he had an axe to grind with the Bengals for not re-signing him. Or, maybe he’s the answer to the Packers problems at running back, where they've been plagued by injuries and ineffectiveness.
James Starks was the No. 1 back entering camp but he was ordinary from the outset and is sidelined indefinitely with turf toe. Last year’s third-stringer, Brandon Saine, who the coaching staff likes, has been hampered by a hamstring injury and hasn’t been a factor. Second-year back Alex Green has shown flashes of the potential that made him a third-round pick last year, but he's on a snap count as he eases back from a torn ACL suffered last October.
For now, Benson might the best bet.
“He knows the game,” Rodgers said. “He’s got a good running style, hits the hole quickly. The best is yet to come for him.”
For more Packers news and notes, follow James Carlton on Twitter @CBSSportsNFLGB.
