After their loss to the Steelers last week, the Bengals fell behind in the divisional race by 3 games. Their playoff hopes were not ended mathematically, but realistically, they were. Joe Burrow was nearing return, but they decided to give him another week off, instead turning again to Joe Flacco. Up against the New England Patriots, a team at the top of the standings, not too many gave them a chance. But if other years are any indication, the Bengals are quite competitive once they’ve fallen out of the race. This game was no different.
The Bengals defence, interestingly, forced a punt on the opening drive of the game. A big difference from the opening drive TD’s they have regularly given up. The offence was able to move the ball a little bit, with Mike Gesicki, fresh off IR, being a frequent target on this drive. It did eventually stall out, but not before the Bengals could open the scoring. Evan McPherson came on and successfully hit a 54 yard field goal.
3-0 Bengals.
After the two teams traded punts, the Patriots went back on offence. Maye, looking for Henry, airmailed his pass, despite having the TE wide open. Geno Stone was able to capitalize, picking off the pass, and getting behind some blocks to eventually return it all the way for a TD. It was a 32 yard return, and extended the lead for the home team.
10-0 Bengals.
New England, being one of the top teams in the league, made sure to respond. Henderson, the rookie RB, got his fair share of touches on this drive, as the Patriots methodically moved the ball downfield. Towards the end of the drive, Maye found Henry for 12 yards on 3rd & 2 to move the chains. This led to a TD on the next play, with Maye again finding Henry. He was wide open for a 28 yard score.
10-7 Bengals.
The scoring didn’t stop there, and New England got their payback for the earlier pick 6. Flacco was late hitting the flat route, and his pass, intended for Tahj Brooks, was telegraphed. Jones picked it off and returned it 33 yards to the house, with no Bengal even remotely near him.
14-10 Patriots.
Before the end of the half, the two teams traded field goals. For McPherson, this latest field goal was a new career long–63 yards.
17-13 Patriots at the half.
The 3rd quarter saw the Bengals punt twice, while the Patriots went on a long 89 yard drive. However, the defence held strong. What would have been another TD for Henry was nullified by a penalty. Then, the defence would go on to stuff the Patriots multiple times at the goal line, leading to a turnover on downs. New England did, however, add a field goal before the end of the quarter to extend their lead.
20-13 Patriots.
Yet another New England field goal further extended their lead, but this time, the Bengals were able to respond pretty quickly. Flacco hit Gesicki for 13 yards, but injured his finger on the play. Jake Browning came in for a brief cameo, completing a 14 yard pass to Andrei Iosivas on his only snap. With Flacco back in, the drive continued with the Patriots getting called for pass interference, moving the ball up another 27 yards. Then, with his finger taped up, Flacco found Mitchell Tinsley down the sideline for a TD.
23-20 Patriots.
As the Bengals defence continued to bend but not break, the Patriots put up another 3 points via a Borregales field goal, extending their lead to 6 points.
26-20 Patriots.
There was 1:33 left on the clock, and the Bengals had the chance to go on a game winning drive. On 2nd & 10, Flacco hit Tanner Hudson for 9 yards, but failed to pick up the 1st on 3rd down. With the game on the line, Chase Brown’s 4 yard run was enough to move the chains. Facing another 4th down, Flacco managed to complete his pass to Tinsley for 12 yards. Needing only 8, the chains again moved forward. But at the New England 26, the luck would run out. Flacco threw four straight incompletions. Despite protests by Gesicki for a pass interference call on 4th down, no call was made, and the Patriots left with the win.
26-20 Patriots, final.
The Bengals fall to 3-8 on the year. Though not mathematically eliminated, they realistically are eliminated. Next week, they will be on the road in Baltimore, taking on the Ravens in a Thursday night matchup. As of now, the expectation is that Joe Burrow will make his return for that one.
