Game Preview: Bengals vs Patriots

The Patriots and Bengals will kick off on Christmas Eve at 1:00 on CBS. New England will keep their playoff hopes alive as they prepare to face Cincinnati riding on a six-game win streak. Can the Patriots advance to 8-7? Let’s find out

Quick hits

* The Patriots are undefeated when playing the Bengals at Gillette Stadium. Since the stadium opened in 2002, the Patriots are 4-0 against the Bengals at home.

* Kyle Dugger has two defensive touchdowns this season and with one more defensive score, he can become the first Patriots player to score three defensive touchdowns in one season.

* The Patriots have tallied 48 sacks this season. That’s third in the NFL, and they are on pace to finish with 58 sacks. If the Patriots continue their pace they will finish with the second most sacks in team history. The record is 66 sacks recorded in 1963. The Patriots also had 58 sacks in 1977. The most sacks the team has had under Bill Belichick is 49 in 2015.

* Matthew Judon needs four sacks to tie Andre Tippett’s 18.5 sacks in one season, which leads franchise history.

* Devin McCourty needs one more takeaway to tie Ty Law for third place with the most takeaways in Patriots history (40).

* The Patriots have scored five defensive touchdowns this season. They are tied with Arizona for the most defensive touchdowns scored in 2022. The Patriots franchise record for most defensive scores is six, which occurred in 2003 and 2007.

* The Bengals ball security has been at the top of the league this year. They have only fumbled six times, which leads the NFL in fewest fumbles.

* Joe Burrow has the longest active streak of consecutive games throwing one touchdown pass (21).

* The Bengals defense leads the NFL with 75 quarterback hits.

* The Bengals are the only team in the NFL with two running backs with 250+ receiving yards, and three wide receivers with 600+ yards.

* If Tyquan Thornton has a rushing touchdown this week, he will become the first rookie wide receiver with two rushing touchdowns.

Connections

Former Patriots

TE Devin Asasi (Patriots player 2020-2021, Bengals player, 2022-present)

CB Mike Hilton (Patriots player 2016, Bengals player, 2021-present)

OG Ted Karras (Patriots player 2016-2019, 2021, Bengals player, 2022-present)

DL Coach Marlon Hobby (Patriots player 1990-1992, Bengals defensive line coach, 2021-present)

Former Bengals

TE Scotty Washington (Bengals player 2020-2021, Patriots player, 2022)

K Tristan Vizcaino (Bengals player 2019-2020, Patriots player, 2022-present)

Who has the advantage?

When the Patriots run: Patriots (barely)

The Patriots’ run game finally improved after weeks of incompetent running. Last week Rhamondre Stevenson rushed for a season-high 172 yards, including a go-ahead 34-yard fourth-quarter touchdown. Stevenson can naturally run through defenders, combining his speed and strength. However, it shouldn’t go overlooked. The Patriots offensive line controlled the game in Vegas. This week against the Bengals it won’t get easier. The Bengals are eighth in the league allowing 109.6 rushing yards per game and 4.2 yards per carry. The Bengals do a good job at protecting the football, as they have the least fumbles through 15 weeks. The Bengals are on a winning streak; they haven’t lost since Halloween night. The Patriots’ offensive line should stay the same, and they will need to play a penalty-free game to give Stevenson and company a chance. Stevenson should have a slight edge, but it won’t be easy.

When the Patriots pass: Bengals

The Patriots’ offensive passing attacks are holding the team back as they continued their struggles last week. There’s no question that the lack of an offensive play caller has been an issue for second-year quarterback Mac Jones. The sophomore had the worst game of his career last week, completing 13 of 31 passes for 112 yards with no touchdowns. Jones owns the 32nd QB slot and has only thrown for seven touchdowns this season. Last week the offensive line kept Jones clean, but Jones constantly missed open receivers all night. The Bengals’ pass rush is scary, and it’s getting back a key component this weekend: Trey Hendrickson will reportedly play through a broken wrist. Meanwhile, pass rusher Sam Hubbard will be inactive. Hubbard and Hendrickson have a combined 13 sacks on the season. The Patriots will have a tough time keeping up with the Bengals’ offense, and if they can’t find rhythm in the passing game, it will be tough to beat them.

When the Bengals run: Patriots

The Bengals have had a tough time running the football this season. Joe Mixon leads the team with 722 yards, averaging 3.9 per carry on 183 attempts. RB Samaje Perine operates as the Bengals third-down back and has racked up 373 yards on 85 carries. In total the Bengals are averaging 100 rushing yards per game, which is 26th in the league, and averaging 3.9 per carry, which is good for 28th. The Patriots front is doing its job to make life hard for opposing running backs. Lawrence Guy, Davon Godchaux, and Deatrich Wise, lead the defensive line with Matthew Judon, Josh Uche, and Ja’Whaun Bentley behind them. The Patriots rank ninth in both rushing yards allowed (110.9), and yards per carry (4.2). The Patriots should be able to contain the Bengals run game in this matchup.

When the Bengals pass: Bengals

The Bengals’ passing attack has been top-tier this season. Third-year quarterback Joe Burrow has taken on a more significant role in the offense this season, leading them to a second consecutive playoff berth. Last week Burrow responded to a 17-point deficit against Tom Brady by putting up 34 unanswered points. Burrow has thrown for 3,885 yards, throwing for 31 touchdowns against ten interceptions while completing 68 percent of his passes. The Bengals are on a six-game win streak and looking as dominant as ever. The Patriots announced cornerback Jalen Mills would be inactive this weekend, leaving the Patriots short-handed in the secondary. Jack Jones is questionable, as he didn’t suit up last week. The Patriots’ pass rush needs to be on its A-game as they look to be disruptive against the Bengals’ offensive line.

Special Teams: Bengals

The Patriots’ special teams continue their inconsistent play, for the exception of Nick Folk, who is back to his usual self. Folk hit field goals from a distance of 47 and 54 yards last Sunday. However, besides the kicking game, the Patriots’ special teams were a disaster in Vegas, as the Raiders blocked a punt and took five of six kickoff returns past the 25-yard line. Marcus Jones couldn’t find any running lanes returning kicks and struggled throughout the game. Meanwhile, Evan McPherson handles kicks for the Bengals. McPherson has connected on 21 of 25 field goals this season. Drue Chrisman punts for the Bengals and has a big leg. Both returners for the Bengals, Trent Taylor and Chris Evans, provide momentum as they are elite returners. With the Patriots not putting up offensive points, the special teams unit can’t afford to make mistakes.

Senior coaching staff

New England:

Head Coach – Bill Belichick

Senior football advisor/offensive line – Matt Patricia

Offensive assistant/quarterbacks – Joe Judge

Running backs – Vinnie Sunseri

Wide receivers – Troy Brown

Offensive line – Billy Yates

Linebackers – Steve Belichick

Linebackers – Jerod Mayo

Cornerbacks – Mike Pellegrino

Special teams coordinator – Cam Achord

Cincinnati:

Head Coach – Zac Taylor

Offsenive coordinator – Brian Callahan

Quarterbacks – Dan Pitcher

Wide receivers – Troy Walters

Defesnive coordinator – Lou Anarumo

Defesnive line – Marion Hobby

Linebackers – James Bettcher

Special teams coordinator – Darrin Simmons

Injury Report

Key:

DNP: Did not participate in practice

LP: Limited participation in practice

FP: Full participation in practice

NL: Not listed

Bengals:

OUT

DE Sam Hubbard, calf (DNP)

TE Hayden Hurst, calf (LP)

Questionable

DT Jay Tufele, illness (FP)

CB Jalen Davis, thumb (LP)

CB Cam Taylor-Britt, shoulder (FP)

Patriots:

OUT

CB Jalen Mills, Groin (DNP)

WR DeVante Parker, Concussion (DNP)

LS Joe Cardona, Ankle (DNP)

QUESTIONABLE

T Yodny Cajuste, Calf/Back (LP)

CB Jack Jones, Knee (LP)

WR Jakobi Meyers, Concussion (LP)

RB Rhamondre Stevenson, Ankle (LP)

RB Damien Harris, Hamstring (LP)

WR Tyquan Thornton, Knee (LP)

CB Jonathan Jones, Chest (LP)

Latest Patriots transactions

12/22 Patriots signed LB Terez Hall to the Practice Squad

12/24 Patriots Place LS Joe Cardona on Injured Reserve

12/24 Patriots signed LS Tucker Addington to the 53-man roster from the practice squad.

Game Officials

Head Referee – Craig Wrolstad (2nd) season in the NFL and 1st as head official

Weather Forcast

Plentiful sunshine. High 22F. Winds WSW at 10 to 20 mph.

The Patriots Beat Prediction:

Patriots 21, Bengals 20

Broadcast information

Per Patriots.com

TELEVISION: This week’s game will be broadcast by CBS and can be seen locally on WBZ-TV Channel 4. Ian Eagle will handle play-by-play duties with Charles Davis as the color analyst. Evan Washburn will work from the sidelines. The game will be produced by Mark Wolff and directed by Suzanne Smith.

NATIONAL RADIO: This week’s game will be broadcast by ESPN Radio. Steve Levy will handle play-by-play duties with former Patriots Rob Ninkovich as the color analyst.

LOCAL RADIO: 98.5 The Sports Hub is the flagship station for the Patriots Radio Network. A complete listing of the network’s 33 stations can be found here. Play-by-play broadcaster Bob Socci will call the action along with former Patriots quarterback Scott Zolak, who will provide color analysis. The games are produced by Marc Cappello.

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