Pats Pulpit
The New England Patriots were able to survive their Week 12 game against the Bengals, leaving Cincinnati with a 26-20 victory in hand. Getting that win was a challenge, though: the team of head coach Mike Vrabel did not just have to fight through some uneven play but also multiple injuries to key players.
There were some standout performances, but on the whole the Patriots — in part due to the circumstances — did not look their best versus the three-win Bengals. Our position grades from the game reflect this as well.
Quarterback: Drake Maye had an uncharacteristically sloppy game against Cincinnati, especially early on. His ball placement was up and down, and he threw the first pick-six of his career in the early second quarter. After those early-game jitters and that interception, however, he started to settle down and eventually finished the game with going 22-of-35 (62.9%) for a career-high 294 yards and a touchdown to Hunter Henry. That throw, plus another to DeMario Douglas in the early third quarter, were highlight plays for Maye, who also had some solid scramble attempts. All in all, he was not at his best but good enough to earn the win. | Grade: C+
Running back: Rhamondre Stevenson returning from his three-game injury absence improved the depth of the Patriots’ running back group, but his actual impact on the field was limited. The veteran finished with just 5 yards on six carries. TreVeyon Henderson fared batter, gaining 66 yards on 18 carries, but the position group as a whole has had more productive days. The blocking up front was a big part of the struggles, but against one of the statistically worst run defenses in football, you would still expect better from both parties involved. | Grade: C–
Wide receiver: The Patriots focused more on involving their tight ends in the passing game, but they still saw some positive plays from the wide receiver group as well. In total, the group of Mack Hollins, Kayshon Boutte, Stefon Diggs, DeMario Douglas and Kyle Williams finished with a combined eight catches for 120 yards as well as a pair of pass interferences drawn by Boutte. It did lack any home run plays, while Maye’s ball placement left some yards on the field, but — with the exception of a Hollins penalty taking a touchdown off the board in the third quarter — it was an OK day. | Grade: B
Tight end: The Patriots saw something in the middle of the Bengals defense worth exploiting, and it led to their tight end group having one of its best days of the season. Hunter Henry led the way with seven catches for 115 yards and a touchdown, while Austin Hooper — freshly removed from concussion protocol — added three receptions for 39. Run blocking from the pair and fullback Jack Westover was a bit more hit-or-miss, but the group still played a vital role in New England...
