{"id":63566,"date":"2025-11-23T05:00:08","date_gmt":"2025-11-23T10:00:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.patsfans.com\/patriots\/blog\/?p=63566"},"modified":"2025-11-22T21:08:08","modified_gmt":"2025-11-23T02:08:08","slug":"patriots-news-11-23-players-to-watch-against-cincinnati","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.patsfans.com\/patriots\/blog\/2025\/11\/23\/patriots-news-11-23-players-to-watch-against-cincinnati\/","title":{"rendered":"Patriots News 11-23, Players To Watch Against Cincinnati"},"content":{"rendered":"

Good morning, and Happy Gameday. Here is your Patriots news, 11-23, and NFL notes this week. The Patriots are looking to extend their winning streak against the Bengals to nine this afternoon. With Buffalo’s loss on Thursday night, the Patriots have a chance to extend their lead in the AFC East.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Cincinnati is the polar opposite of the Houston Texans, who used a crushing, stifling defense to beat the Bills on Thursday night. But watching that game, Houston\u2019s offense showed why the team was 5-5 entering the game.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

For as outstanding as their defense is, their offense is nearly inept. The Bills were half a heel\u2019s length from winning that game, when Josh Allen\u2019s pass to Gabe Davis was just out of bounds at the one-yard line with less than a minute to go. Despite being hounded all game long and being sacked a career-high eight times, Allen was that close to winning the game.<\/span><\/p>\n

Cincinnati has an outstanding offense that can light up anyone at any time. But their defense is close to being a historically bad defense, like the worst in the past 50 years, bad.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Bengals To Sit Burrow Today:<\/b><\/h3>\n

Joe Burrow has been out since Week 2 with a toe injury. He has been back to being a full participant at practice on Wednesday and Thursday for the first time in over two months. He\u2019s officially questionable to play. After just two full practices? Many believe that he\u2019ll sit on Sunday and return on Thanksgiving Day.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

That would seem to make sense, as at 3-7, does anyone, even in the Bengals locker room believe that they\u2019re going to run the table and finish at 10-7 and make the playoffs, given how bad the defense has been all season?\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

They have the Patriots today, then travel to Baltimore on a short week to face the Ravens on Thanksgiving night. Then travel to Buffalo after a mini-bye and then home against the Ravens again.<\/span><\/p>\n

Burrow is the franchise QB and it is clear that without him, this team is going nowhere. Zac Taylor and his staff have to be on the hot seat. This team is slated to compete for a deep playoff run, seemingly every year, and it has failed to do so for what will be the third consecutive year.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Burrow, I’m sure wanted to play, but it seems that Taylor made a decision looking at the long term rather than trying to push him too soon, and then risk a less than mobile Burrow reinjuring his toe. But many thought the Bengals would push him to play<\/span><\/p>\n

It would have been such a Cincinnati move, but for purely selfish reasons, I hoped he did play today.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Quick Hitters For the Patriots and NFL News:<\/b><\/h3>\n

Drake Maye: <\/b>Stephen A. Smith called Maye a liar this week after Cam Newton went out of his way to call Maye and the Patriots \u201cfool’s gold\u201d on ESPN\u2019s First Take. Despite Maye saying, since he was drafted, that Newton was the player he most admired, Newton has not returned the love toward Maye. After a TD earlier this year, Maye even did the \u201cSuperman\u201d celebration of Newton\u2019s.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Maye was asked about the \u201cfool’s gold\u201d comments during an interview with Andy Hart and admitted he didn\u2019t even know what show Newton was on. Neither did I.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Stephen A. took exception to that on Thursday morning\u2019s show. Ryan Clark was praising Maye for his outstanding play this season and talking about how he believed the Patriots had enough talent to make the AFC championship when Smith jumped in.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s also a liar. First of all, let me tell you. Not to brag. Listen,\u201d Smith said. \u201cPardon the Interruption is the No. 1 show on ESPN, spanning twenty-plus years. First Take is the No. 1 morning show, 13 years and counting, April will be 14 years.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t tell me you\u2019re an athlete and you don\u2019t know that,\u201d Smith added. \u201cDon\u2019t tell me that you\u2019re an athlete and you don\u2019t know that Cam Newton is on this show. You\u2019re lying.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Honestly, I\u2019ve never watched either show, but I have seen clips, as we all have on social media. But football players don\u2019t watch that show; they are in meetings and doing football s***, so they don\u2019t have time for that.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

I like Stephen A. He\u2019s a media superstar, even appearing on political shows. But he\u2019s way out of line here. That was over the top, which sounds odd when talking about him.\u00a0 And he must have thought about that, and walked back his comments after the fact.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

“I was being facetious because it wasn\u2019t that big of a deal,\u201d\u00a0Smith said, on Mad Dog Radio. \u201cIn other words, Cam Newton is on national television. And your reaction was, \u2018I don\u2019t even know where he works.\u2019 I just didn\u2019t believe that. That\u2019s all. I wasn\u2019t calling him a liar about anything else. Just that he didn\u2019t know where Cam works. But you are right, I don\u2019t know Drake Maye, I\u2019ve never spoken to him. Again, I was being facetious; I wasn\u2019t being serious about that point. So, if people take it that way, sure, I can apologize for that, it\u2019s no big deal. But I wasn\u2019t being serious.\u201d<\/p>\n

Strength Of Schedule: <\/b>The Patriots aren\u2019t receiving a ton of love nationally, despite having won eight games in a row and tied with Denver for having the best record in the league at 9-2.<\/span><\/p>\n

Connor Orr<\/b> of SI had this to say about the Patriots’ success this season. “While the combined records of New England\u2019s opponents are starting to cause people to doubt the legitimacy of this run, consider this: the Patriots have the # 1 defensive strength of schedule in the NFL to date.”<\/span><\/p>\n

Stefon Diggs: <\/b>The Patriots’ wide receiver earlier this week called OC Josh McDaniels a genius. The feeling is mutual. No one was sure how this was going to work out. Diggs was recovering from an ACL tear.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Through the team’s first 11 games, Diggs leads the Patriots in targets (72), receptions (59), and yards (659). And McDaniels is giving Diggs all of the credit for his success.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s been a tremendous professional,\u201d McDaniels said. \u201cGreat influence on everybody. Comes ready to go. Wants to win. Very competitive. Smart player. He\u2019s tough. Has great savvy. Football makes sense to him. I think he\u2019s been a really good guy for our young players to watch work, watch during the course of the day, and see how he prepares.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAnd then, certainly, obviously, his influence on our team. On the practice field. During the course of the game. There\u2019s an energy and an intensity about him that never stops. I appreciate that as a coach because it\u2019s a long season. There\u2019s a lot of ups and downs and a lot of things you go through, and there are some lulls in the action on game day, and it never seems to affect him. So very consistent with his approach, his demeanor, and his performance. As a coach, I don\u2019t know what else you could ask for from him.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Patriots No Huddle Podcast:<\/b> Derek, Mike, and I broke down the win against the Jets on our postgame podcast. Later on Wednesday, the three of us broke down the upcoming Bengals game, focusing on key matchups and key strategies for success.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Please check it out. And be sure to like, share, and leave us a review.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Russ Francis\/Chuck Fairbanks:<\/b> The former Patriot tight end and head coach should be in the Patriots team Hall of Fame, and the fact that Francis isn\u2019t is an absolute travesty. Francis and the Raiders\u2019 Dave Casper changed how teams used the tight end position.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

This will be displayed in our Sunday posts until it happens. Casper is in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Francis\u2019 numbers stand up well against Casper\u2019s, yet he isn\u2019t even in the team\u2019s HOF.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Patriots Players To Watch Against the Bengals:<\/b><\/h3>\n

The Patriots and Bengals are primed for what looks like a high scoring game. Defensively, the Patriots will have to match up with a talented and diverse group of skill position players. Despite the 3-7 record, Cincinnati has consistently put up points and yards. Now with Joe Burrow probably back, they\u2019ll have their starting quarterback returning which should give them an added and needed boost.<\/span><\/p>\n

Offensively, the Patriots just need to keep doing what they\u2019ve been doing, except they will have to ensure they don\u2019t take their foot off the gas this week. They\u2019ll need to play a full 60 minutes, against what is shaping up to be a historically bad defense.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Let\u2019s look at some of the players to watch from a Patriots\u2019 perspective.<\/span><\/p>\n

Drake Maye – <\/b>After a mini-bye, it is back to work for Maye who has had an outstanding season. This week he\u2019s facing a defense that has been terrible.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Look for Maye to crack the 300-yard mark for the first time this week. Cincinnati is missing their best defensive player, Trey Hendrickson, who is out with an injury. With him out, their pass rush won\u2019t be as potent and Maye should have time to scan the field hunting for matchups.<\/span><\/p>\n

Christian Gonzalez – <\/b>Look for him to match up with Andrei Iosivas, the very underrated but excellent wide receiver. With JaMarr Chase out, the Bengals will lean more on Iosivas to go along with Tee Higgins, with some Michael Tinsley mixed in.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Gonzalez will be a great matchup with the 6\u20193 wide receiver, as his size, speed, and athleticism place him among the best boundary corners in the league. The Bengals like to move Iosivas and Higgins around, sometimes in the slot. The Patriots can\u2019t have the size mismatches (remember Drake London) against 5\u20199 Marcus Jones, so look for Gonzo to shadow Iosivas.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Carlton Davis – <\/b>The Patriots may opt for Davis to shadow Tee Higgins with safety help over the top to slow him down. Higgins is a big (6\u20194, 218) wide receiver who has been very productive the past three games (11 receptions, 228 yards, four TDs).\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Patriots Safeties –<\/b> The Bengals have two good receiving tight ends in Noah Fant and Mike Gesicki, who are more receivers than traditional tight ends, and with Gesicki expected back this week, they will present a difficult challenge.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Add in Chase Brown out of the backfield, and the Patriots\u2019 safeties, Jaylinn Hawkins, Craig Woodson, and Dell Pettus will have their hands full. If the Patriots are to continue their winning streak, the safeties will have to have a big game.<\/span><\/p>\n

TreVeyon Henderson – <\/b>With Rhamondre Stevenson back, Henderson\u2019s carries will probably be split evenly to ease his workload. But facing a Bengals defense that is 30th or worse in the NFL in yards per game and yards per carry, Henderson\u2019s speed and athleticism will give him a chance to break off some chunk runs.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Look for Josh McDaniels to get Henderson more involved in the passing game down the stretch. They\u2019ve used him mainly in the flat, but this could be a time where they flex him out wide and isolate him on a linebacker.<\/span><\/p>\n

Christian Barmore – <\/b>The Patriots will be without Milton Williams for the next four games, and while their defensive line depth is excellent, Williams is an outstanding, penetrating presence. It will be up to Barmore to set the tone.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Look for Barmore to provide interior pressure on Flacco. Evan Lazar of <\/span>Patriots.com<\/span><\/a> had an outstanding stat. When under pressure, Flacco has a 31.1 passer rating, no touchdowns, and five interceptions. Interior pressure will help the edge rushers, K’Lavon Chaisson and Harold Landry get home, without the quarterback having no place to step up.<\/span><\/p>\n

Kayshon Boutte- <\/b>It appears that Boutte will be back for this week\u2019s game. He\u2019s been an outstanding deep threat for the Patriots this year. He, Mack Hollins, and Demario Douglas have had big chunk plays for the offense, and that should continue against a Bengals secondary that has suffered several breakdowns in coverage. Look for Josh McDaniels to dial up some plays to continue that.<\/span><\/p>\n

Boutte was heating up before getting injured in the Falcons\u2019 game. In the three games before that, he had 10 catches, 223 yards, and four touchdowns. It will be interesting to see if he can pick up where he left off, after missing the past two games..<\/span><\/p>\n

NFL Week 12 Predictions:<\/b><\/h3>\n

The Patriots can put some more space between themselves and the Bills in the division with a win today against the Bengals. A really big game in Kansas City later today will be worth watching, as the Chiefs are in a must-win against the Colts, who are coming off a bye.<\/span><\/p>\n

Now we\u2019ll see how the rest of the schedule goes.<\/span><\/p>\n

Thursday Night Football:<\/b><\/p>\n

Buffalo<\/span> over Houston\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 0-1<\/span><\/p>\n

Sunday Day Games:<\/b>
\n<\/span>Chicago over Pittsburgh<\/span>
\n<\/span>New England over Cincinnati<\/span>
\n<\/span>Detroit over NYG<\/span>
\n<\/span>Green Bay over Minnesota<\/span>
\n<\/span>Seattle over Tennessee<\/span>
\n<\/span>Kansas City over Indianapolis<\/span>
\n<\/span>Baltimore over NYJ<\/span>
\n<\/span>Las Vegas over Cleveland<\/span>
\n<\/span>Jacksonville over Arizona<\/span>
\n<\/span>Philadelphia over Dallas<\/span>
\n<\/span>Atlanta over New Orleans<\/span><\/p>\n

Sunday Night Football:<\/b><\/p>\n

LA Rams over Tampa Bay<\/span><\/p>\n

Monday Night Football:<\/b>
\n<\/b>San Francisco over Carolina\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

BYE WEEK:<\/b><\/p>\n

Denver, LA Chargers, Miami, Washington<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Last Week\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 10\u20145<\/b><\/p>\n

2025 Season\u00a0 \u00a0 111\u201452\u20141<\/b><\/p>\n

2024 Season<\/b>\u00a0 \u00a0 <\/span>204\u201468\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n

2023 Season\u00a0 \u00a0 178\u201494\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n

2022 Season: \u00a0 178\u201492\u20142<\/b><\/p>\n

2021 Season: \u00a0 183\u201488\u20141<\/b><\/p>\n

2020 Season: \u00a0 169\u201486\u20141\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n

2019 Season: \u00a0 162\u201493\u20141<\/b><\/p>\n

\u201cI don’t know if it was that needed. I mean, it was just kind of different. It was just different. I haven’t coached anybody any differently from the three years that I spent at Ohio State, going to Houston. They were maybe a year or two older, and back then they made more money. Now they’re just a year or two older, and some of them make about the same amount of money.\u00a0<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

\u201cSo, I appreciate where they all come from. I appreciate their backgrounds. You can see the type of people they are by when you meet their families. I think that’s something that really shows in the pride that they have. We do this to provide for our families. So, outside of winning, let’s be honest, that’s why we do this. So, I enjoy meeting their families, and I enjoy meeting the people that they care about. And we always say, “Things that are important to them, should be important to us.”<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

Mike Vrabel was asked about relationships with players and if it was something that he needed as a player.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI think probably a little bit of both. I think that Josh [McDaniels] and Ashton [Grant] have tried to work hard on that. I also think Drake is talented.\u00a0<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

\u201cAnd, again, it’s like a pitcher. I don’t know if there’s a pitching coach who really taught Greg Maddux how to paint the plate and put the ball wherever he wanted it. So, I think there’s some natural skill there, but then I think that they work on those things.\u00a0<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

\u201cThey work on a platform, throwing off at different places, still remaining accurate, climbing the pocket, working with a base, and all those things. And then there are other times where it’s just natural athletic ability, hand-eye coordination, and putting the ball in good spots.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

Mike Vrabel was asked about Drake Maye\u2019s accuracy and how the coaches have refined his skill, or is it just innate?<\/span><\/p>\n

_______________<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c<\/span>Somebody asked me what success looks like, and I said, \u2018Yeah, you can judge it by wins and losses during the season, but success for me in the offseason is going to be that the players believe in what we\u2019re doing, and they believe in the message, they believe in the teaching, and they believe in the connections that we\u2019re making<\/span><\/i>.\u2019\u201d \u2014 Mike Vrabel<\/span><\/p>\n

Follow me on Twitter @SteveB7SFG or email me at<\/span><\/i> stevebpatsfans@gmail.com<\/span><\/i><\/a><\/p>\n

Listen to our<\/span><\/i>\u00a0 <\/span>PatsFans.com<\/span><\/a> Patriots No Huddle <\/span><\/i><\/a>podcasts on Apple and YouTube as Derek Havens, Mike D\u2019Abate, and I discuss the latest Patriots news and game analysis<\/span><\/i>.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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