As Cincinnati has tumbled down the standings, Drake Maye’s MVP campaign has skyrocketed, and a porous Bengals defense should only help his case. That is, if the Patriots don’t allow for a letdown. Here’s what to watch for in Cincinnati:

Bengals head coach says he anticipates Burrow to return to the field for the Bengals showdown with Baltimore and former Louisville star Lamar Jackson.

Taylor decided to end the Browning experiment. In October, the Bengals traded a 2026 fifth-round pick and a 2026 sixth-rounder to acquire QB Joe Flacco from their divisional rivals, the Cleveland Browns. Flacco started the same week of the trade with just four days to prepare.

This skill – adjusting to imperfect throws and creating better outcomes – is something quarterbacks particularly appreciate, as it can turn an off-target pass into a completion or even a touchdown. It’s also a testament to Higgins’ body control and spatial awareness, traits that complement his physical gifts.

Those Bengals needed to respond with a win over the New England Patriots on Sunday to keep hope alive, though. Instead, while they fought until late in the fourth quarter, the Bengals came up short at home.

The Patriots lost rookie offensive lineman Will Campbell to a leg injury that required him to be carted to the locker room, but remained undefeated on the road.

Learn which TV channel or how to live stream the NFL Week 12 Kansas City Chiefs and Indianapolis Colts game, Sunday, Nov. 23.

There, the Bengals hope to steal a win from a nine-win Patriots club, fully swinging open the door for a Joe Burrow return against the Baltimore Ravens just a few days later on Thursday night primetime.