[Sportscapper]

Green Bay (1-1 SU and ATS) at Cincinnati (2-0 SU and ATS)

The Bengals go for their third straight preseason victory, only this time with starting quarterback Carson Palmer under center for tonight’s nationally televised game against the Packers.

Palmer has been sidelined since suffering a horrific knee injury in the Bengals’ divisional-round playoff loss to the Steelers back in mid-January. After much speculation about his physical and psychological health this preseason, the Pro Bowl QB finally appears ready to test his surgically repaired knee tonight, and he’s expected to play anywhere from a few series to the entire first half.

Whenever Palmer departs, backup Anthony Wright will take over, followed by Doug Johnson. Wright (51.4 percent completion rate) and Johnson (67.9 percent) have combined for 461 passing yards with four TDs and no INTs in a pair of double-digit victories over the Redskins and Bills.

The Packers followed up an ugly 17-3 loss at San Diego with last week’s impressive 38-10 rout of the Falcons at home. Starting quarterback Brett Favre played the entire first half and completed 16 of 22 passes for 134 yards with two touchdowns and no picks. Favre is scheduled to play the first half once again tonight before handing off to second-year pro Aaron Rodgers, who has completed 70.6 percent of his passes for 235 yards with two touchdowns and one interception this summer.

Palmer’s not the only player returning from a serious leg injury tonight, as Packers RB Ahman Green is expected to see his first action since sustaining a torn thigh tendon that ended his 2005 season back in October. Green is slated to receive as many as a dozen carries tonight.

Cincinnati is 0-3 SU and ATS in Week 3 of the preseason since Marvin Lewis took over as coach back in 2003. On the bright side, with Lewis at the helm, the Bengals are 5-2 SU and ATS at home in August.

Green Bay is 1-4 (2-3 ATS) in its last five preseason road games.

The Packers snapped an 11-0 under run in the preseason when last week’s game against the Falcons soared over the total. Meanwhile, the Bengals’ last seven home exhibition games have stayed low.

ATS ADVANTAGE: UNDER

[cap]

Wow, wow wow. Lots of scoring. Palmer looked like MVP, Favre looked like fresh doodoo and the Bangals scored a bunch. OVER!

[Johnny Spread]

WoW. Palmer looked so fresh and so clean.
He had perfect touch and timing. I hope this wasn't some kind of jinx and he's going to suck in the regular season, but it looks as though the Natti is taking the AFC Central Division. But then the Ravens look nasty too.!