GREEN BAY — For all the hand-wringing among the Green Bay Packers' faithful about how new starting quarterback Aaron Rodgers would fare in succeeding Brett Favre, based upon Monday night's 20-17 preseason-opening loss to the Cincinnati Bengals, perhaps their concerns should be further down the depth chart.

Rookie second-round pick Brian Brohm wasn't particularly impressive in his NFL debut, having his first NFL pass intercepted by Bengals safety Corey Mays to set up the Bengals' second touchdown of the night.

On his next series, Brohm threw late to wide receiver Ruvell Martin, leaving Martin vulnerable to a wicked hit by safety Marvin White.

Martin was hit just below the chin and did not return.

"There were some rough spots," offensive coordinator Joe Philbin admitted.

"I thought Brian did some good things, but it took him awhile to get in the flow."

On the interception, "I should've pulled the ball back and not thrown it," said Brohm, who ended up completing eight of 17 passes for 70 yards and a 33.9 passer rating.

However, two receivers ran the wrong routes on the play, so it wasn't entirely the QB's fault.

Brohm's best throws were a 22-yard completion to rookie receiver Jordy Nelson just before halftime, and a 13-yarder to Nelson to convert a third-and-4 on the Packers' initial series of the second half.

Fellow rookie Matt Flynn, a seventh-round pick, took over with 5 minutes, 30 seconds left in the third quarter and fared considerably better, going 12-for-21 for 97 yards and a touchdown for a 84.8 rating and leading the Packers on a 62-yard, 12-play TD drive in the closing minutes of the game to pull them within 20-17.

Flynn had the Packers on the move on their final possession, too, but rookie Kregg Lumpkin fumbled after a completion to allow the Bengals to run out the remaining clock.

"I made some mistakes at the beginning of the fourth quarter that could've kept drives alive," said Flynn, whose helmet radio stopped working several times late in the game. "For the first time out, it was fun. It felt good to go out there and play."

Jackson bounces back

With starting halfback Ryan Grant sitting out Monday night with a tight hamstring and slowly rounding into shape after his protracted contract negotiations, backup Brandon Jackson got plenty of work during the first week of camp and more work Monday night.

And while he did miss his assignment on a blitz on the Packers' first offensive series — resulting in a sack of Rodgers — Jackson had a solid night thereafter. Jackson ran six times for 44 yards, including a 22-yarder to help set up the Packers' first touchdown of the night.

"I missed a key block," Jackson said. "I feel like I could've done a whole lot better out there."

No. 1 D pitches shutout

A lack of interior line depth forced the Packers to do some shuffling, and veteran cornerbacks Al Harris and Charles Woodson did not play, but the No. 1 defense wasn't fazed, pitching a shutout by forcing three three-and-outs against the Bengals' first-string offense.

After the starters departed, backup middle linebacker Abdul Hodge — working with the No. 2 defense with incumbent primary backup Desmond Bishop out — was all over the field, registering a team-high six tackles.

"It was important for me to get back out there and have fun," said Hodge, who missed all of last season after double knee surgery. "Overall, I felt good."

Extra points

Martin's head injury was the Packers' only one. "He looks like he's going to be OK," coach Mike McCarthy said. ... Sitting out were Grant (hamstring), Bishop (Achilles' tendon), Woodson (rest) and Harris (lower back); wide receiver Greg Jennings (knee); center Scott Wells (back); defensive tackles Justin Harrell (back), Ryan Pickett (hamstring) and Johnny Jolly (hip flexor); defensive end Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila (knee); safety Charlie Peprah (knee); and tackle Orrin Thompson (ankle). ... Daryn Colledge started at left guard and alternated by series with Allen Barbre until Colledge took over for left tackle Chad Clifton. Rookie Josh Sitton started at right guard, with Jason Spitz shifting to center to replace Wells. ... Punter Jon Ryan had an up-and-down night, hitting five 40-plus yard punts (including two inside the 20) but also shanking a 15-yarder off the side of his foot and a 14-yarder that was kicked under pressure.