GREEN BAY, Wis. — The Green Bay Packers open the preseason Friday night in Cincinnati against the Bengals.

Here are three things to watch in the game:

Time for Love

Jordan Love spent three years backing up Aaron Rodgers. Now, it’s Love’s turn to be the Packers' starting quarterback.

In recent years, Rodgers played little, if at all, in the preseason. As a young quarterback, Love is expected to see some preseason action.

New kicker 

We often hear the expression “big shoes to fill” when someone replaces a long-time player. That’s literally the case for Packers' rookie kicker Anders Carlson.

Mason Crosby had been the team's kicker since 2007; he is the franchise’s all-time leading scorer.

Carlson increased some people's anxiety levels with shaky practice performances, but was strong at Family Night. We’ll see how he does in preseason games.

Packers need a strong defense

Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow is out with a calf injury. So, Cincinnati’s offense is watered down. Still, we’ll see how Joe Barry’s Packers defense measures up.

There will especially be a lot of eyes on the Packers’ secondary and on first round draft pick, Lukas Van Ness. He was selected to add to the Packers’ pass rush.

Coming up

Bill Belichick and his New England Patriots will be in Green Bay next week for a couple of joint practices with the Packers and a preseason game at Lambeau Field.