Patriots Pregame Thread We're on to Cincinnati

[PatsFan2]

We need to take advantage of Burrow's willingness to take a sack and his tendency to hold onto the ball too long.

With Chase out, it really slows down their offense. When Higgins was without Chase, they had Boyd who had 800 yards himself, and AJ Green, albeit coming back for injury, but still accounting for 400 yards and demanding coverage. They had Joe Mixon and Giovanni Bernard. They now have Iosivas behind Higgins, who is not really much. Brown is running behind a worse OL and not as good as Mixon, something I didn't expect (most fans were happy to see Mixon go lol).

This is the price you pay for a top-heavy offense/unit. Not as much depth in their skill positions as the last time Higgins was WR1. They also still only won 4 games that season.

It was really dumb of them to resign Tee Higgins to that Big $$$$$: knowing they already have the Greater Ja'Marr Chase. Who's the Bengals GM the Accountant from ENRON?? I love WR's too but not to the Detriment of the rest of the Team.

 

[sb1]

So scared of the Boogiean Joe Burrow Not!!

That baby saw Jerod Mayo in a coach's uniform

 

[PatsFan2]

Cincy's running game isn't exactly a threat.

Chase Brown is their lead back. Don't know a lot about him but his numbers look half decent.

Let's not forget a Mayo Coached Team with amateur OC AVP beat Joe Burrow last year...this 2025 Patriots Team is far superior in every way.

 

[Vindicate]

It was really dumb of them to resign Tee Higgins to that Big $$$$$: knowing they already have the Greater Ja'Marr Chase. Who's the Bengals GM the Accountant from ENRON?? I love WR's too but not that much to the Detriment of the rest of the Team.

The irony is Paul Brown and his family are notoriously cheap, yet, the one time they open up the pocketbook, they kinda **** it up lmao.

 

[signbabybrady]

 

[PatsFan2]

The irony is Paul Brown and his family are notoriously cheap, yet, the one time they open up the pocketbook, they kinda **** it up lmao.

They could have gotten a First for Higgins: that's getting a Rookie on a Five year deal possibly if they work out. It's a risk you have to take given the Burrow - Chase and Hendricks contracts. The Bengals have Blown their window Two years in a row now. IF Drake Maye and the Patriots make it to the Super Bowl: the Bills - Ravens and Chargers are all going to $h!t bricks.

 

[TommyD4207]

Let's not forget a Mayo Coached Team with amateur OC AVP beat Joe Burrow last year...this 2025 Patriots Team is far superior in every way.

Everyone's forgetting this.
Cincinnati should have won the game, but that was by no means a blowout or something. That was with Chase.

 

[PatsFan2]

Everyone's forgetting this.
Cincinnati should have won the game, but that was by no means a blowout or something. That was with Chase.

And Jacoby Biscuit was our Staring QB.

 

[Vindicate]

They could have gotten a First for Higgins: that's getting a Rookie on a Five year deal possibly if they work out. It's a risk you have to take given the Burrow - Chase and Hendricks contracts.

And Higgins is really good, but he's not a piece you can't live without if you have Chase. Also, Mixon had 1200 yards and like 7-10TD's 2020 when it was Higgins as the WR1. Now they are very one dimensional. I'd be surprised if Higgins produces as well without a solid RB who was also a pass option.

We'll see.

 

[Vindicate]

Everyone's forgetting this.
Cincinnati should have won the game, but that was by no means a blowout or something. That was with Chase.

And they have the same OL coach we had last year. Who uhhh... Was not good.

 

[PatsFan2]

And Higgins is really good, but he's not a piece you can't live without if you have Chase. Also, Mixon had 1200 yards and like 7-10TD's 2020 when it was Higgins as the WR1. Now they are very one dimensional. I'd be surprised if Higgins produces as well without a solid RB who was also a pass option.

We'll see.

They regret letting Joe Mixon go even though he's been banged up a lot in Houston. But was Great in Cincinnati: sometimes the grass is not always greener on the other side.

 

[jdlboot14]

I really think having Chase out is a far greater net loss than Burrow replacing Flacco.
Burrow may add some heady plays, but will be far more limited without the Chase-blanky to win on 3rd down and deep shots.

 

[UrbanCowboy]

I'd rather see burrow. Better game. Good for the D to play a good QB. And we will still win.

 

[PatsFan2]

I really think having Chase out is a far greater net loss than Burrow replacing Flacco.
Burrow may add some heady plays, but will be far more limited without the Chase-blanky to win on 3rd down and deep shots.

Double Higgins with a CB and Safety and let Gonzo roam. I'm sure he would get some picks.

 

[jdlboot14]

Offense almost back to full capacity with Boutte, Hooper, Jennings - and Rham the only limited player today.
If he's the same tomorrow I bet he plays, or is at least active as the 3rd - and see what they need.
Will be nice seeing if Jennings can return to a productive RB2 with those tough yards inside.

 

[n1997y]

I really really hope TE C.J. Dippre can block: because if we go There TE's one WR and RB that's a Formation we could run and pass from with success.

Henry, Hooper, and Dippre as TEs, Mack Hollins as WR and Henderson as RB. I’d see that as being very well suited to either passing or running. Especially if Dippre can catch.

 

[JMC00]

Especially with our suspect pass defense

That "suspect pass defense" has given up over 250 yards only once since week 2 and that 1 game over 250 was against the Bucs which they were up 28-16 with 90 seconds to go and had only allowed 200 yards passing and traded yards for time.

 

[JMC00]

Cincy's running game isn't exactly a threat.

Chase Brown is their lead back. Don't know a lot about him but his numbers look half decent.

His numbers break down

3 games vs Pittsburgh (2) & NYJ
41 att, 280 yards (6.8 ypc), 1 TD

His 7 other games
85 att, 239 yards (2.8 ypc), 1 TD

 

[Pape]

Everyone's forgetting this.
Cincinnati should have won the game, but that was by no means a blowout or something. That was with Chase.

Going into the game, sure they should have won on paper... but that's why you play the game... the bengals opened with three punts, a fumble and turnover on downs in their first five drives...

it was not a blow out, but they were certainly out played... we dominated the TOP in that game... while the condiment crew was not a good team, they did exactly what they had to in order to win... can't take that away from them...

 

[Pape]

I don't know why Burrow wouldn't play at this point. And he still has the ability to carve up a defense.

if he is able to play, he should... the bengals gain nothing by sitting him...

Especially with our suspect pass defense. Sure, Chase out helps us a lot, but Gesicki seems to be back too - and we know TEs (especially good route runners & pass catchers) can really torch our D for some reason.

we get torched (or is it tourched?) because the db's who usually cover the TEs aren't very good and need to be upgraded, hopefully sooner rather than later...

I just hope our D reinforcements (Elliss, Swinson, Farmer) can improve the pressure on him.