Patriots win 26-20 over Bengals

CINCINNATI — The New England Patriots extended their win streak to nine games in a 26-20 win over the Cincinnati Bengals, but at what cost?

The Patriots saw the left side of their offensive line and their special teams captain leave Sunday’s win with injuries.

Rookie left tackle Will Campbell (knee) and rookie left guard Jared Wilson (ankle) didn’t return to action. Neither did safety/special-teamer Brenden Schooler.

It was an ugly win for the Patriots as they improved their record to 10-2. Quarterback Drake Maye didn’t look like himself against the NFL’s worst defense, and the Patriots’ rush defense wasn’t as stout with defensive tackle Milton Williams on injured reserve.

The Patriots’ defense was able to make a stand, leading by six points as the Bengals took over at New England’s 28-yard line with 1:51 on the clock. Cornerbacks Carlton Davis and Marcus Jones made key pass breakups to help seal the victory.

The Patriots managed just one first down on their opening drive, a six-play, 17-yard series before punting to the Bengals, who responded with a field goal. The early struggles for the Patriots’ defense continued, but at least they allowed only three points on a 54-yard field goal from Evan McPherson on Sunday’s opening drive.

The Patriots’ offensive struggles continued on their second drive as they went three-and-out with two incompletions from Maye, who started the game 2 of 5 for 10 yards. The Patriots eventually forced the Bengals to punt, as well. The Bengals showed they were going to go for it on fourth-and-5 at the Patriots’ 45-yard line before outside linebacker K’Lavon Chaisson jumped offsides. It didn’t end up mattering, however, with outside linebacker Harold Landry forcing a punt with a third-down sack, putting the Bengals back on the Patriots’ 45-yard line to punt.

Maye threw a pick-six on the Patriots’ second play of their third possession. Bengals safety Geno Stone returned Maye’s interception for a 32-yard touchdown, giving Cincinnati a 10-0 lead.

Going 3 of 7 for 16 yards with an interception in his first three drives, it was easily the worst start of a game for Maye this season. Even his completions appeared off early in Sunday afternoon’s game.

Maye looked more like himself, leading the Patriots on a nine-play, 70-yard drive. Maye threw off one foot while evading pressure on a 28-yard touchdown completion to tight end Hunter Henry. The pressure came from rookie right tackle Marcus Bryant, who was in for veteran Morgan Moses, who went to the locker room with an illness.

Patriots slot cornerback Jones read Bengals quarterback Joe Flacco like a book and jumped a throw to the flat intended for running back Tajh Brooks for an interception. He returned it 33 yards for his own pick-six, giving the Patriots a 14-10 lead midway through the second quarter.

The Bengals couldn’t get out of their own way, committing holding and false start penalties before punting back to the Patriots. Flacco also easily could have been flagged for intentional grounding.

A nine-play, 68-yard drive put the Patriots in position for a 41-yard field goal from kicker Andy Borregales, giving them a 17-10 lead.

The Bengals quickly drove 37 yards on three plays, and McPherson nailed a 63-yard field goal to cut the Patriots’ lead to 17-13. They couldn’t complete the double score coming out of the half, however, and went three-and-out.

The Patriots got down to the Bengals’ 1-yard line but couldn’t score on five opportunities, with a defensive pass interference penalty on Bengals cornerback Dax Hill giving them new life midway through the series. Even that didn’t help, and they eventually turned the ball over on downs when Rhamondre Stevenson was stuffed for no gain on fourth down. Overall, the Patriots ran seven plays from inside the Bengals’ 5-yard line with nothing to show for it. They were able to maintain their 17-13 lead after the Bengals were forced to punt.

The Patriots were able to increase their lead to 20-13 with a 45-yard field goal from Borregales, but the drive was dampened by a knee injury to starting left tackle and top pick Will Campbell. The Bengals were forced to punt again on their ensuing drive.

Once again, the Patriots couldn’t score from the 1-yard line and had to settle for a field goal to go ahead 23-13.

The Bengals marched down the field and scored on a 17-yard touchdown pass from Flacco to wide receiver Mitch Tinsley over cornerback Christian Gonzalez. On the previous play, Davis was flagged for a 27-yard defensive pass interference penalty while covering wide receiver Tee Higgins. Higgins appeared to get knocked out on the play and was carted to the locker room with a concussion.

The Patriots only generated 27 yards on nine plays on their next drive and had to settle for a 52-yard field goal from Borregales, extending their lead to 26-20.

____