Bengals vs. Patriots: Game Day Information and Prediction
Oct 6, 2013; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver A.J. Green (18) runs for a first down against New England Patriots cornerback Aqib Talib (31) and defensive back Devin McCourty (32) at Paul Brown Stadium. Cincinnati defeated New England 13-6. Mandatory Credit: Mark Zerof-USA TODAY Sports
Cincinnati Bengals vs. New England Patriots
Location: Gillette Stadium (Foxborough, MA)
Date: Sunday, October 5, 2014
Game Time: 8:30pm ET
Weather: It’s looking like clear skies and 50 degree temperature for tomorrow night’s game. There will be a WSW 6mph wind, so it won’t likely be a factor in the game. With clear skies, there’ll be excuses related to rain this year.
TV: As always, Sunday Night Football’s Al Michaels will be doing the play-by-play while former Bengals wide receiver Cris Collinsworth provides the analysis. The game can be viewed on your local NBS station.
Local Radio: The game will be broadcasted on Cincinnati’s WCKY-AM (ESPN 1530) and WEBN-FM (102.7). Dan Hoard (play-by-play) and former Cincinnati Bengals’ offensive lineman Dave Lapham (analyst) will be the announcers. Bengals.com has also provided a list of other radio broadcasts in the local area.
Streaming and Listening Online: The game can be viewed through the NFL’s Game Rewind. The NFL network also offers its Audio Pass for online listening.
Injury Report: You can see the Bengals’ final injury report here. The Patriots will be without reserves OL Cameron Fleming and DB Nate Ebner. More importantly, LB Jamie Collins, DB Alfonzo Dennard, LB Dont’a Hightower, DE Chandler Jones, and DL Dominique Easley are all listed as questions; TE Rob Gronkowski is listed as probable. They may be listed as questionable, but the Patriots have been known to try and mess with their opponents heads through the injury report in the past. The Bengals will employ the “wait and see” approach.
Predictions from the Staff
Dustin Meritt
If this game was being played in Cincinnati, I think many of us would be big on the Bengals. However, when I look at the defensive roster that the Patriots have, I can’t help but think that last Monday Night’s game was not a realistic representation at all. The Bengals need to mirror what the Chiefs did. Run and throw the ball to Giovani Bernard and Jeremy Hill, get A.J. Green involved, utilize Jermaine Gresham, and do not turn it over. On defense, the Chiefs only blitzed 10 times, so this would be a good game for Geno Atkins to show up, so the defense can get pressure without blitzing. All of the statistics are against a Bengals win; Patriots 30-4 after a loss, Marvin Lewis’ terrible record during night games, and Andy’s record during primetime, but my prediction is a two touchdown win for the Bengals.
Bengals 35 Patriots 21
Sean McMahon
This game will ultimately come down to the Bengals’ offense versus the Patriots’ defense. Andy Dalton has to prove he can win on the road against a tough team in prime time. Marvin Lewis is a mere 5-4 when favored in prime time games. If this team has really turned the corner, this will help prove it.
Bengals 24 Patriots 20
David Petrocelli
A game on the road verus an AFC perennial power in prime time. Sounds like an overwhelming hurdle for the Bengals. Despite their historical struggles, its their approach to games this year that will get them through ultimately. Hue Jackson plays to the Bengals’ strengths, but more importantly, he plays to the opposition’s weaknesses. The Patriots have a stout defense, but I expect Hue will devise an effective approach centering around running the football. It’ll keep Brady off the field while not asking Andy Dalton to be a hero. The Patriots remain dangerous at home despite their lackluster start, but I believe the Bengals’ defense carries the evening.
Bengals 20 Patriots 10
Brian Dugan
I believe this game will come down to final possession. I also believe that the Bengals’ defense will play very well, however the Patriots’ defense and special teams will keep them in the game late. The Bengals get the win over the Patriots is because “we all see you as better than you are,” meaning the Patriots brand and dynasty sounds better than the Patriots actually are on the field. The Bengals’ legacy may be opposite of the Patriots’, however the Bengals have the better team currently.
Bengals 23 Patriots 21
For additional game analysis, please see Stripe Hype’s Game Preview.