Patriots Triumph 26-20 Over Bengals: NFL Week 12 Analysis
The New England Patriots secured a narrow 26-20 victory against the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday at Paycor Stadium. This win marks the Patriots’ first nine-game winning streak in a decade, bringing their record to 10-2 as they head into December.
Game Overview
Despite facing the NFL’s lowest-ranked defense, the Patriots struggled initially. Their first drive ended in a punt, and they found themselves trailing 10-0 after an interception by quarterback Drake Maye, which was returned for a touchdown by Bengals safety Geno Stone.
Maye bounced back, completing 22 of 35 passes for 294 yards, including a touchdown pass to tight end Hunter Henry. The Patriots quarterback also contributed 22 rushing yards. However, he did throw his sixth interception of the season during the game.
Injuries Impacting the Offensive Line
The Patriots faced significant challenges on their offensive line, losing rookie starters Will Campbell and Jared Wilson to injuries during the game. Campbell, the fourth overall pick from LSU, suffered a knee injury, while Wilson, selected 95th overall from Georgia, was sidelined with an ankle injury.
This forced the team to replace both players mid-game. Vederian Lowe stepped in as left tackle, while ex-Bengal Ben Brown took over at left guard. The unit was anchored by center Garrett Bradbury, right guard Mike Onwenu, and right tackle Morgan Moses, who briefly exited due to illness.
Key Players and Scoring Plays
- Drake Maye: 22 completions, 294 yards, 1 touchdown, 1 interception.
- Hunter Henry: 7 catches, 115 yards, 1 touchdown.
- DeMario Douglas: 1 catch for 37 yards, a significant third-down conversion.
- TreVeyon Henderson: 81 total yards on 21 touches.
The Bengals, playing without quarterback Joe Burrow, saw Joe Flacco step in. Flacco completed 19 of 37 passes for 183 yards, including a touchdown pass to wide receiver Mitchell Tinsley.
Defensive Highlights
Defensively, the Patriots stood out with a critical pick-six from Marcus Jones, who returned an interception 33 yards for a touchdown. The Bengals also struggled defensively, with Christian Barmore and Khyiris Tonga grappling with the absence of Milton Williams, who was placed on injured reserve.
Special Teams Performance
The kicking game proved pivotal. Patriots kicker Andy Borregales made all four of his field goal attempts, including a decisive 52-yarder that sealed the victory in the final minutes. His perfect performance raised his season stats to 19 of 21 on field goals.
Final Thoughts
This win reflects the Patriots’ resilience and ability to adapt under pressure, especially with multiple key injuries. As they maintain their pursuit of success this season, the focus will shift to recovery and preparation for upcoming challenges.
