Following a heartbreaking and bizarre defeat last Sunday versus the Las Vegas Raiders, the New England Patriots return to Gillette Stadium this weekend to battle the Cincinnati Bengals.
New England dropped a game below the AFC playoff line when they conceded a touchdown on the final play of the fourth quarter in Vegas, while the Super Bowl runners-up from a season ago have come on strong, winning six in a row and moving into sole possession of first in the AFC North thanks to a 34-23 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Match preview
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When you literally throw away a game the way New England did last week, perhaps the only thing to say afterwards is what their head coach Bill Belichick said in 2014, "we're on to Cincinnati".
Rather than down the ball and take their chances in overtime against the Raiders, Pats receiver Jakobi Meyers tried to lateral it several yards behind him in a play that is sure to make the sports blooper reels for years.
His backwards pass went straight into the arms of Vegas defensive end Chandler Jones, who ran it in for a touchdown with no time left on the clock.
Just like eight years ago, the message from Belichick to his team this week will be to focus on what is to come, and that would be a big Christmas Eve affair against an AFC North opponent, a division that New England have only beaten once since last year.
The Patriots have had trouble moving the ball consistently on offence lately, posting fewer than 200 yards passing in two of their last three games, though they have hit the century mark in rushing in each of their previous two contests.
Before becoming the Pats coach in the early 2000s, Belichick was among the most brilliant defensive minds in the NFL, so it should be no surprise to see his current team ranked sixth defensively, allowing an average of 312.3 yards per game this season.
Part of their success on defence is their ability to force teams into second and third and long situations, thanks to a defensive line that have produced 48 sacks in 2022, the third most in the NFL.
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Speaking of putting things behind you, it seems as though Zac Taylor and his Bengals have been able to do just that this season, hitting the double-digit mark for wins last weekend for a second successive campaign.
Coming off a season in which they were seconds away from capturing their first Super Bowl, Cincy look like one of the teams to beat at the moment, currently on their longest winning run since 2015.
Although they have not had a 100% healthy receiving corps for weeks, the Bengals might have more depth at that position than anyone in the NFL, ranked sixth in passing this season, averaging 262.1 yards per game through the air in 2022.
Pass protection seemed to be holding them back in the early portion of the campaign, and although Cincy have allowed at least one sack in every game this year, they have not conceded more than two in their previous six affairs.
Away from home, Cincinnati have often got the better of opposing defences, scoring 30+ points in three of their last five road outings, winning three straight games outside their home stadium.
As is often said, it is not how you start but how you finish, and the Bengals have been sharp in the final 15 minutes of their games recently, outscoring their last five opponents in the fourth quarter while not allowing a touchdown in that quarter in four consecutive contests.
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Team News
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Patriots running back Rhamondre Stevenson was outstanding in the loss versus Las Vegas, carrying the ball 19 times for 172 yards and a touchdown, Mac Jones threw for a mere 112 yards on 13 completions, Pierre Strong led them with three catches and Jonnu Smith racked up 24 yards on two grabs.
Kyle Dugger had an interception a week ago, Ja'Whaun Bentley picked up a sack, while Davon Godchaux, Lawrence Guy, Christian Barmore and Josh Uche each sacked Derek Carr.
Jack Jones saw limited practice time for New England this week because of a sore knee, while Damien Harris still has an issue in his thigh.
Joe Cardona will be questionable due to an ankle sprain, and Yodny Cajuste continues to recover from a calf and back injury.
The number four passer in the league Joe Burrow has thrown for multiple scores in three consecutive games for the Bengals, including four last Sunday versus the Bucs.
In that encounter Tee Higgins, Mitchell Wilcox, Tyler Boyd and Ja'Marr Chase each hauled in TD passes from the top overall pick in the 2020 NFL draft.
Joe Mixon only averaged 1.9 yards per carry against Tampa after running for 96 yards on 14 carries versus the Cleveland Browns, Logan Wilson was the only Bengal to have a sack a week ago, Germaine Pratt had an interception in that game, while Eli Apple and Daxton Hill combined to make 10 tackles.
Cam Taylor-Britt is recovering from a shoulder strain, Hayden Hurst has an issue with his calf, Trey Hendrickson could be out with a sore wrist, Jalen Davis has a thumb issue and Sam Hubbard might not be available because of a calf injury.
Head To Head
Saturday will be the first time these teams meet since 2019, with New England holding a 17-9 record versus Cincy overall.
New England captured a 34-13 victory just over three years ago when Tom Brady connected with James White and N'Keal Harry for touchdown catches, Rex Burkhead ran for a fourth-quarter score and Stephon Gilmore had a pick-six.
Belichick's famous "on to Cincinnati" quote from 2014 seemed to be well received by his players, who went on to trounce the Bengals 43-17 in Week Five that year as Stephen Gostkowski kicked five field goals and Brady found Rob Gronkowski for a 16-yard score.
Cincinnati last beat New England in 2013 thanks to a one-yard rushing TD by former Pats running back BenJarvus Green-Ellis and a pair of field goals from Mike Nugent in a 13-6 triumph.
We say: New England Patriots 23-36 Cincinnati Bengals
The Bengals are proving that their run to the Super Bowl last season was no fluke, and their receiving depth could be too much for the Pats to handle on Saturday.
New England might still be psychologically damaged from how they lost their game last week, while they have not generated much in the passing game this year.
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Joel Lefevre
