Patriots Pregame Thread We're on to Cincinnati

[Water Boy]

The Patriots are currently favored by 5.5.

Will Burrow play?

How will our secondary match up?

The Bengals defense is ranked 30th or below in most major categories.

This should be a winnable game.

 

[Hammer of Thor]

Interesting — possible that Chase could be suspended for this game?
Jalen Ramsey says Ja'Marr Chase spit on him

Ja'Marr Chase: "I didn't spit on nobody"

Steelers safety Jalen Ramsey claims that he hit Bengals receiver Ja'Marr Chase because Chase spit on him.

www.nbcsports.com

 

[signbabybrady]

 

[TommyD4207]

The Patriots are currently favored by 5.5.

Will Burrow play?

How will our secondary match up?

The Bengals defense is ranked 30th or below in most major categories.

This should be a winnable game.

No.
Pretty ok. More worried about the pass rush.
They're bad.
Yes.

 

[StockingAnarchyNumber12]

I think we’ll win and go 10-2. There comes a time you just need to start believing in this team. We aren’t going 15-2 but this isn’t one we’ll drop.

 

[mayoclinic]

We are going 15-2 until proven otherwise.

 

[maust]

We are going 15-2 until proven otherwise.

 

[Vindicate]

I was most worried about this game but after today feel much better. Bengals O has an egg on its face for *****ing about their defense, then the defense actually showed up today and kept the Steelers to 20 until the final 3 minutes, while the offense could barely move.

Flacco is immobile which is good. Burrow is very much like Maye. Isn't afraid of being hit and has some of the best pocket footwork. I like Gonzo on Chase, I honestly don't worry a lot there. Higgins is a WR1 on a good amount of teams, so we'll have our hands full with him. He is an exemplar of the contested-catch archetype of WR. Davis will have to bring his A game, but I appreciate he's physical - he's gonna have to spar.

If our depth at DT can make up for the absence of Milton, and if Barmore can fill in his shoes a lil bit, I think we'll hold them to 24~ and I think it'll be a game where we can break out to 27 pts or more. The final score might be close, but I have a feeling that the Patriots will seem more in control throughout.

Vrabel is eons better than Taylor as a comprehensive, full-picture coach. Taylor makes boneheaded decisions and often gets bailed out by superior talent, however you saw today how he just randomly opts for the 2pt after their first score for no reason. They're not much of an "make adjustments" type. Fant is meh, even if he eats like most TE's do in this offense, that's fine. Fant can eat while Higgins and Chase starve.

We also have intel on how their offensive line is being coached.

I think this will be a game where the coaching differential is very apparent.

We'll see. If Burrow comes back, that offense will be looking to make a statement. But I think we can take advantage of his tendency to hold onto the ball as our secondary matches up against their team better than most, IMO.

Edit - Burrow won't be back and McDaniels gets hard at the idea of facing Flacco. Solid. Pun intended.

 

[MrTibbs]

The Patriots are currently favored by 5.5.

Will Burrow play?

How will our secondary match up?

The Bengals defense is ranked 30th or below in most major categories.

This should be a winnable game.

The Patriots pass rush and secondary are a bit suspect. It wouldn't shock me if jumpball Joe puts up significant yardage. I wouldn’t be overly confiden in a win.

 

[Joey007]

Would Chase actually get suspended for this?

 

[Joey007]

I was most worried about this game but after today feel much better. Bengals O has an egg on its face for *****ing about their defense, then the defense actually showed up today and kept the Steelers to 20 until the final 3 minutes, while the offense could barely move.

Flacco is immobile which is good. Burrow is very much like Maye. Isn't afraid of being hit and has some of the best pocket footwork. I like Gonzo on Chase, I honestly don't worry a lot there. Higgins is a WR1 on a good amount of teams, so we'll have our hands full with him. He is an exemplar of the contested-catch archetype of WR. Davis will have to bring his A game, but I appreciate he's physical - he's gonna have to spar.

If our depth at DT can make up for the absence of Milton, and if Barmore can fill in his shoes a lil bit, I think we'll hold them to 24~ and I think it'll be a game where we can break out to 27 pts or more. The final score might be close, but I have a feeling that the Patriots will seem more in control throughout.

Vrabel is eons better than Taylor as a comprehensive, full-picture coach. Taylor makes boneheaded decisions and often gets bailed out by superior talent, however you saw today how he just randomly opts for the 2pt after their first score for no reason. They're not much of an "make adjustments" type. Fant is meh, even if he eats like most TE's do in this offense, that's fine. Fant can eat while Higgins and Chase starve.

We also have intel on how their offensive line is being coached.

I think this will be a game where the coaching differential is very apparent.

We'll see. If Burrow comes back, that offense will be looking to make a statement. But I think we can take advantage of his tendency to hold onto the ball as our secondary matches up against their team better than most, IMO.

I haven’t read anything that indicates Burrow would be back for this one. Thanksgiving at the earliest.

 

[Joey007]

Oh. This sounds very possible Chase will be out.

 

[maust]

You knew when you saw the clear path to the end zone that flag was coming

 

[slash83]

Can you guys see any spit? I can’t…

 

[PATSYLICIOUS]

Cincinatti had the worst run d by a pretty big margin (166.4 ypg going into today). They gave up 110 today so that average goes down a little but they still are very vulnerable especially with Henderson emerging now. Then of course our mvp candidate is going against a pass d that has made most qbs they face look like studs too.

Flacco has had an ac joint injury and took 2 more big shots to the shoulder today. Afterwards he was mostly just capable of throwing check downs. Even if he’s feeling a little better we should be able to handle him.

If chase ends up getting suspended, even better. This matchup looks very good

 

[DoubleDeluxe]

Can you guys see any spit? I can’t…

100%. Zoom in, clear as day.

 

[upstater1]

It's shame we traded Kyle Dugger, we could've used him for this game.

Dugger possesses the unique ability to be completely invisible and undetectable by Flacco-vision.

 

[Triumph]

The Patriots pass rush and secondary are a bit suspect. It wouldn't shock me if jumpball Joe puts up significant yardage. I wouldn’t be overly confiden in a win.

Flacco was horrible today.

 

[Triumph]

Can you guys see any spit? I can’t…

 

[Real fan 02]

This is the game where the secondary will be tested. I know for sure Gonzo is up for the challenge...