{"id":55673,"date":"2024-09-06T10:00:19","date_gmt":"2024-09-06T14:00:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.patsfans.com\/patriots\/blog\/?p=55673"},"modified":"2024-09-06T11:25:49","modified_gmt":"2024-09-06T15:25:49","slug":"morse-patriots-week-1-opponent-cincinnati-bengals-preview","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.patsfans.com\/patriots\/blog\/2024\/09\/06\/morse-patriots-week-1-opponent-cincinnati-bengals-preview\/","title":{"rendered":"MORSE: Patriots Week 1 Opponent – Cincinnati Bengals Preview"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Patriots open at the Cincinnati Bengals.\u00a0 The Bengals are led by QB Joe Burrow, who is healthy after a shady 2023 season, with two separate injuries.\u00a0 He started the season with a calf strain and later had a torn ligament in his wrist that kept him out for the last 7 games of the season.\u00a0 He is reported to be completely recovered from the injury and ready to start against the Pats.<\/p>\n

Offense 3WR 1TE<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\nStarter<\/strong><\/td>\n2nd<\/strong><\/td>\n3rd<\/strong><\/td>\n4th<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
QB<\/td>\nJoe Burrow<\/td>\nJake Browning Q<\/td>\n–<\/td>\n–<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
RB<\/td>\nZack Moss<\/td>\nChase Brown<\/td>\nTrayveon Williams<\/td>\nChris Evans IR<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
WR<\/td>\nJa’Marr Chase<\/td>\nJermaine Burton<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
WR<\/td>\nTee Higgins<\/td>\nTrenton Irwin<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
WR<\/td>\nAndrei Iosivas<\/td>\nCharlie Jones<\/td>\n–<\/td>\n–<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
TE<\/td>\nMike Gesicki<\/td>\nDrew Sample<\/td>\nTanner Hudson<\/td>\nErick All<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
LT<\/td>\nOrlando\u00a0Brown<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
LG<\/td>\nCordell Volson<\/td>\nJaxson Kirkland<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
C<\/td>\nTed Karras<\/td>\nMatt Lee<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
RG<\/td>\nAlex Cappa<\/td>\nCody\u00a0Ford<\/td>\n–<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
RT<\/td>\nTrent\u00a0Brown<\/td>\nAmarius\u00a0Mims Q<\/td>\nD’Ante\u00a0Smith IR<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

 <\/p>\n

When healthy, Burrow is expected to throw for over 4,000+ yards, 30+ TDs and nearly 70% completion rate. \u00a0Jake Browning did a remarkable job as Burrow\u2019s replacement and the team has tremendous confidence in him should he be called upon again.\u00a0 However, there are some concerns that Burrow isn\u2019t 100% healed from the wrist injury.\u00a0 He played only one series in the 1st<\/sup> Preseason game.<\/p>\n

The Bengals lost Wide Receiver Tyler Boyd to Free Agency.\u00a0 However, Jamar Chase and Tee Higgins still remain.\u00a0 Chase has been \u201cholding in\u201d, wanting a new contract after just fulfilling 2 years of a 4-year contract.\u00a0 He is listed as limited for Sunday\u2019s game. \u00a0He did not practice on Monday but returned Wednesday and Thursday. Expect him to play on Sunday.\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0Higgins is no slouch and had back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons with 74 catches in each before Burrows injury.\u00a0 \u00a0At 6\u20194\u201d, he is a big target that can get deep.\u00a0 Higgins showed up on the injury list as limited because of a hamstring.\u00a0 Andre Iosivas the Princeton product is another big receiver at 6\u20193\u201d.\u00a0 He ran a 4.43 40 at the combine in 2023 and appears as the #3 on the depth chart.\u00a0 Charlie Jones stands 5\u201911\u201d and is quick as a cat, running a 4.43 40 at the combine and 6.84 3-cone drill at his Pro-Day. \u00a0There were Pre-Draft questions surrounding Jermaine Burton.\u00a0 A report from Paul Dehner of The Athletic indicates that Burton has been a major disappointment thus far.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cCincinnati did run into issues getting Burton on board and up to professional standards quickly,” Dehner writes. And then it gets worse for Burton, who many expected to play extensively as a rookie in Cincinnati.<\/p>\n

“The Bengals won\u2019t put him out there \u2014 or even make him active on gameday \u2014 until they feel comfortable he\u2019s preparing in meetings, will be in the right spots and can be trusted by the quarterback.” Burton, the former Alabama star was drafted in the 2024 3rd<\/sup> round (#80).\u00a0 He posted 4.45 40 at the combine.<\/p>\n

Longtime stalwart running back Joe Mixon left via Free Agency.\u00a0 The Bengals signed RB Zach Moss to replace him.\u00a0 Last season Moss started 8 games for the Colts when he replaced the injured Jonathan Taylor.\u00a0 He ran for 794 yards and a 4.3 YPC and 5 TDs.\u00a0 Chase Brown is an exciting backup that may eventually replace Moss.<\/p>\n

At Tight End former Patriot Mike Gesicki mans the position.\u00a0 Gesicki can catch but offers nothing in the run game, as he lacks run blocking ability.\u00a0 \u00a0Rookie Eric All from Iowa is an exciting prospect but is listed as #4 on the depth chart.<\/p>\n

The Bengals have Mrs. Brown\u2019s Boys starting at Left and Right Tackle.\u00a0 They are the NFL\u2019s version of the Twin Towers.\u00a0 Former Patriot enigma Trent Brown (6\u20198\u201d, 370 pounds) signed as a Free Agent to start at Right Tackle.\u00a0 It\u2019s trick or treat with Trent Brown and I am very interested in seeing the Keion White \/ Trent Brown matchup.\u00a0 The 6\u20198\u201d 345-pound Orlando Brown (no relation) is a long-time starter in the league at Left Tackle. \u00a0Entering his 7th<\/sup> season in the NFL the former Baltimore Ravens and Kansas City Chief, Brown was selected to 4 Pro-Bowls.\u00a0 Old friend Ted Karras (another player we should never have let go) is the starting Center.\u00a0 Karras enters his 9th<\/sup> season in the league after being drafted and developed by the Patriots in the 6th<\/sup> round of the 2016 draft.\u00a0 Alex Cappa came over from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Free Agency in 2022.\u00a0 He sustained an ankle injury in the final game of the 22\u2019 season but rebounded last year to start all 17 games.\u00a0 The other starter at LG is Cordell Volson.\u00a0 The former North Dakota State grad was drafted in the 4th<\/sup> round of the 2002 draft.\u00a0 He was converted from OT to G and has started every game since being drafted.\u00a0 Amarius Mims was their 1st<\/sup> Round (#18) draft pick this year. \u00a0The mammoth Left Tackle stands 6\u20198\u201d, 340 pounds, and started on the back-to-back National Champion Georgia Bulldogs.\u00a0 Cincy may have hit it big with 7th<\/sup> round pick (#237) Matt Lee out of Miami.\u00a0 Lee plays Center and will eventually replace the 31-year-old Ted Karras.\u00a0 By every account, Lee had a fantastic Training Camp and performed well in Preseason games.<\/p>\n

Defense \u00a0Base 4-3<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\nStarter<\/strong><\/td>\n2nd<\/strong><\/td>\n3rd<\/strong><\/td>\n4th<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
LDE<\/td>\nSam\u00a0Hubbard Q<\/td>\nKJ\u00a0Henry<\/td>\nCedric\u00a0Johnson<\/td>\nMyles\u00a0Murphy IR<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
LDT<\/td>\nSheldon Rankins<\/td>\nJay Tufele<\/td>\nMcKinnley\u00a0Jackson<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
RDT<\/td>\nB. J. Hill<\/td>\nZach\u00a0Carter<\/td>\nKris\u00a0Jenkins Jr<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
RDE<\/td>\nTrey Hendrickson<\/td>\nJoseph Ossai<\/td>\n<\/td>\n–<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
WLB<\/td>\nLogan\u00a0Wilson<\/td>\nJoe Bachie<\/td>\nMaema Njongmeta<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
MLB<\/td>\nGermaine\u00a0Pratt<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
SLB<\/td>\nAkeem\u00a0Davis-Gaither<\/td>\n–<\/td>\n–<\/td>\n–<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
LCB<\/td>\nCam Taylor-Britt<\/td>\nJosh Newton<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
SS<\/td>\nVonn\u00a0Bell<\/td>\nJordan Battle<\/td>\n–<\/td>\n–<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
FS<\/td>\nGeno Stone<\/td>\nTycen\u00a0Anderson<\/td>\nDaijahn Anthony<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
RCB<\/td>\nDax\u00a0Hill<\/td>\nDJ Turner<\/td>\nDJ Ivey\u00a0O<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
NB<\/td>\nMike\u00a0Hilton<\/td>\nDax\u00a0Hill<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

The Bengals defense fell to the #26th ranked defense last year.\u00a0 The loss of Joe Burrows wasn\u2019t the reason they missed the playoffs, it was the porous Defense.\u00a0 They were in shootouts in every game and were particularly susceptible to the run.<\/p>\n

The loss of DT DJ Reader is a big blow to the Cincy run defense.\u00a0 This from Sportsnaut.com Matt Johnson \u201cUp front, however, the Bengals defensive line is aging quickly with regression clearly catching up to the starters. Unless Myles Murphy (on IR) and Kris Jenkins step up in unexpected ways, this will likely be one of the worst defenses in the AFC this season\u201d.\u00a0 The Bengals gave up the league worst 4.9 yards per carry.\u00a0 They signed DT Sheldon Rankins in the off-season, but I don\u2019t think he will be enough to stem the tide of poor run defense.<\/p>\n

Three-time Pro-Bowler DE Trey Hendrickson is a force in the pass rush.<\/p>\n

Matt Johnson goes on to say \u201cThere\u2019s hope for a young Cincinnati Bengals secondary. Dax Hill is making a strong impression at cornerback and working with Cam Taylor-Britt and DJ Turner II, there\u2019s more reason for confidence in improvement from this group. Geno Stone will provide Cincinnati with playmaking, a nice complement to safeties Vonn Bell and Jordan Battle.<\/p>\n

The Linebackers are another sore spot. Logan Wilson was ranked #55 and Germaine Pratt was #52 in 2023 by Pro Football Focus.\u00a0 Compare that to Jahlani Tavai of the Patriots at #4.\u00a0 Seldom used undersized linebacker Akeem Davis-Gaither is the other backer.\u00a0 He is slightly over 6\u20191\u201d, 228 pounds, that\u2019s smaller than Patriots Safety Kyle Dugger.\u00a0 Last season he played in 13 games but started only one game and had 17 tackles for the season.<\/p>\n

Special Teams <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\nStarter<\/strong><\/td>\n2nd<\/strong><\/td>\n3rd<\/strong><\/td>\n4th<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
PK<\/td>\nEvan McPherson<\/td>\n–<\/td>\n–<\/td>\n–<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
P<\/td>\nRyan Rehkow<\/td>\nBrad Robbins\u00a0IR<\/td>\n–<\/td>\n–<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
H<\/td>\nRyan Rehkow<\/td>\n–<\/td>\n–<\/td>\n–<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
PR<\/td>\nCharlie Jones<\/td>\nTrenton Irwin<\/td>\n–<\/td>\n–<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
KR<\/td>\nChase Brown<\/td>\nTrayveon Williams<\/td>\nCharlie Jones<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
LS<\/td>\nCal Adomitis<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Placekicker Evan McPherson had a down year, converting 26 of 31 Field Goals for the 21st<\/sup> Rank in FG %.<\/p>\n

Brad Robbins was the worst punter in the league last year and is on IR.\u00a0 He has been replaced by former BYU Cougar Ryan Rehkow.\u00a0 After the draft, Rehkow was signed by the Kansas City Chiefs as an UDFA.\u00a0 He was released in June and signed with Cincinnati in July.\u00a0 As a senior at BYU, he had a 48.6 average per punt.\u00a0 Rehkow will be a real unknown until we actually see him in a real game.<\/p>\n

Charlie Jones is a waterbug out there.\u00a0 He finished 8th<\/sup> in the league for Punt Return Average and had 1 return for a TD.<\/p>\n

Chase Brown is listed as the #1 Kickoff returner.\u00a0 We are all entering a new world with the revised Kickoff rules.\u00a0 The new rules are meant to add in more kickoff returns to the game.<\/p>\n

Longsnapper position is manned by third year player Cal Adomitis.\u00a0 He won the Patrick Mannelly award as the best Long Snapper in college and named 1st<\/sup> Team All-American in 2021.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The Patriots open at the Cincinnati Bengals.\u00a0 The Bengals are led by QB Joe Burrow, who is healthy after a shady 2023 season, with two separate injuries.\u00a0 He started the season with a calf strain and later had a torn ligament in his wrist that kept him out for the last 7 games of the season.\u00a0 He is reported to be completely recovered from the injury and ready to start against the Pats.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":23,"featured_media":54595,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[11,10],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-55673","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-patriots-commentary","category-patriots-news"],"yoast_head":"\nMORSE: Patriots Week 1 Opponent - Cincinnati Bengals Preview<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"The Patriots open at the Cincinnati Bengals.\u00a0 The Bengals are led by QB Joe Burrow, who is healthy after a shady 2023 season, with two separate injuries.\u00a0 He started the season with a calf strain and later had a torn ligament 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